Griswold European Vacation

Remembrer Chevy Chase and European Vacation with the Griswold Family???  There was a scene where they go to Germany and stay with what they believe are their relatives and when they leave several days later the German Husband says to his wife, "Who the F*ck were they?" and she says, "I thought you knew them".  The Griswold's had the wrong address and stayed with strangers.

Well today we rushed to catch the fermata, Bus.  We missed the Rapida (express) and had to take the local.  We jumped on the bus and as it pulled away we realized we failed to confirm it was the right bus to Siena.  It was the right bus but we began to laugh.  Someone said, "What if this is the wrong bus" and I said, "Well then we will see a different part of Italy!".  I am on sabbatical after all! Well, Mom says, "This could be a Griswold Family European Vacation."  That is what my sister calls our family, the Griswold's.  Now Mom is the Nonna (grandmother) and in the first movie the Griswold's tie grandma to the roof of the van, lucky for mom she road in a seat, not the roof top luggage rack.

First I thought you might enjoy a photo of the Cathedral of Florence at night.  We had pizza on the Piazza last evening at a place were one waiter (ours) was a rather jovial fellow dragging customers into his establishment with his infectious joy and another waiter was driving them out with his utterly sour and foul mood!  Gina called them both over and told them to get the act together and told grumpy to go home as he was creating a negative vibe!  The jolly fellow got a big kick out of it!

Duomo of Florence at Night

 Here are the Griswold's leaving Florence on a the mystery bus. LOL!

Mom and Rosemary wondering where we would end up!

 Here is a rose between two thorns.  LOL!

For Gina, the Jim's have it!

 Here we are in Siena.  A utterly beautiful city, pretty much all of Italy has been beautiful.  This City was Gina's suggestion if we could not get museum reservations today.  I told her it was a great choice making her Gina-cus Maximus; optimus primus, first and best.

Griswold's hit Siena

 This is the famous Duomo of Siena.  We were too hungry to stand in line and had shopping to do.

Duomo of Siena

 I read about a nice Osteria called Osteria Nonna Gina at Piano Dei Mantellini 2.  You go two blocks past the Hotel Duomo and it is right in front of you.  A great place and though Gina is not a Nonna, I wished her Buona Fortuna for the future.  We had a very nice first course of dried cured meats, olives, assorted Bruschehtta (fresh tomato, cooked tomato, pate), a bread soaked in Caponata (olive, tomato, eggplant, oil, capers) and Frittata (eggs and fresh herbs).  We followed that up with a typical soup of the region made of old bread, cannoli beans, greens, olive oil, broth.  It was very hearty and heavenly. We washed it down with a local Tuscan Chianti.  Perfect for a chilly day, as Siena is a mountain town and it was cool outside.  Afterward we asked our lovely and friendly server to recommend a local Duce.  She served us biscotti you soak in a sweet wine. We had expresso and cappuccino.  The owner sent over two bottle of after dinner drinks compliments of the house.  A Grappa and an Amoretto di Nonna Gina.  I tried a shot of Grappa and began to sweat like crazy, I was warm all over!  The Amoretto was quite nice however!!  We all enjoyed the Amoretto.  Jim the Lawyer also enjoyed both.  As you might have guessed by now, we had a great time!  If you find yourself in Siena remember this Osteria, it was a great experience!!!  We toasted the day, the City of Siena and Gina's mom Fran since she is the Nonna!!

Gina with Amoretto di Nonna Gina.  We toasted her mom Fran fondly since she is the Nonna!

Here we are after a.........Gelato, in the Campo of Siena.

After dinner stroll in the Campo of Siena

 The City from the Church of S. Domenica.  The Mummified head of St. Catherine of Siena is encased in a crystal reliquary on a side altar wearing her veil.  A good place to say a prayer at the beginning of the Year of Faith.  Catherine was a strong woman who single handedly reformed the Church!

view of Siena

 I loved this T-Shirt with the caption, "Game Over".  Rosemary thought about getting one of these for Acker!  Show him this one Nancy!  Carol and Rosemary are having the time of their lives without the hubbies!

Well gang I would love to comment more but it's time to go out for an evening stroll under the Florentine stars.  These are the stars that Dante says he and his guide saw when they emerged through a small opening when leaving the journey through hell.

“To get back up to the shining world from there
My guide and I went into that hidden tunnel,

And Following its path, we took no care
To rest, but climbed: he first, then I-so far,
through a round aperture I saw appear

Some of the beautiful things that Heaven bears,
Where we came forth, and once more saw the stars.”          

-Dante, Inferno

Buona Notte!  Sweet Dreams to you in the USA!