Monday, September 4. That's a fountain?

Siena

After breakfast, we ride to Siena. The hills are formidable. At one point, I have to stop my bike and catch my breath before I can finish the ascent. Later, when I admit this to the group, Cindy and Lora declare themselves to be "studs".

Siena is a walled city that sits on a hill with beautiful winding cobblestone streets. The climb (on my bike) up to the city proper nearly kills me.

Paul and I explore the ancient fountain while waiting for the others. It's a pool of water where people gathered to wash their clothes and maybe even draw drinking water. It confused us both when the directions called for stopping at the fountain.

After we regroup, our thoughts turn to lunch. Some elect to get sandwiches at a deli. The rest of us want something a little more substantial. We first sit at an outdoor table at a restaurant that sits on the edge of Piazza del Campo. After waiting for 20 minutes in the hot sun without being served, we decide it was a bad idea.

Nello takes us to his favorite restaurant, Gallo Nero. He explains that they've restored medieval recipes and serve them. The food is wonderful, even though the presence of pasta goes against their stated goal of being authentically medieval.

We walk around (both in groups and singly) and take in the many beautiful sites in the city. The duomo, in particular is spectacular with its black and white marble facade.

The ride back to the villa is much easier, but we catch a little bit of rain. The thunder and lightning make me nervous, and I wish out loud for my new bike with its plastic frame.

Janet's luggage catches up with us. Just 2 more to go. Lora, Liz, and Janet have been borrowing various things (clothes, shoes, helmets).

We stuff ourselves at dinner. We retire to the lounge where we consume grappa (and averno for some). Of all the women who tried grappa for the first time, none like it, though Claire says she never passes up the chance to drink it.

Geri finds that she has a lot in common with Paul. They're both trained concert pianists. I've seen Geri's baby grand at their house. Paul has a full size grand piano in his SF apartment. Sheesh! We ask him to play some Chopin (okay, I asked for the Chopin) on the upright that we found in the villa. Once he starts playing, however, we discover that it's horribly out of tune and immediately ask him to stop.

I sleep well, but I wake at 4:00 then again at 6:00

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