In Rome, we were true tourists following in the footsteps of every other tourist visiting the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish steps. In Florence, I was literally sick and tired and we lacked time substantial enough to enjoy more than just the Duomo and San Lorenzo market (although I did score an incredible deal on a beautiful leather jacket). And in both of these places, with the exception of a handful of hours spent with Franco and Marco, we were on our own. Siena was drastically different. Day and night in Siena we were surrounded by the love, laughter, and amazingly warm hospitality of Italians. We ate, drank, sang, laughed, drank, swam, played soccer, conversed, and drank some more with the locals (and by locals I mean Italians as many were from Siena, but some from Rome, others the North, and even a handful of “converted Italians” from Algeria and France).
If you ask me, there’s no better way to learn about a new land than from passing time with its people…and Siena lent us this experience in a much deeper and richer way than either of the other two cities we visited. Can't wait to see you all again. Ciao. (kari)
I could not possibly agree more - you seem to be excellent travelers and you've really gotten the spirit of experiencing places down pat. THe people are definately the most important part of any trip, and I think one really gets a complete sense of place when one has the opportunity to interact with the locals.
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