Road to Camodoli

The seat felt hard and bounced with an uneasy springiness to it as our driver curbed his way around corners. As one side of the dusty gravel road dropped straight off into the greenery I thought casually to myself, perhaps he should slow down a bit. The bus, itself, was chillingly cool, a stark contrast and brisk surprise from the streets I had trudged to catch it. Not that it was needed, though, as the air around the bus was cooling quite dramatically the farther we climbed. I knew this for one of the rusted windows lay open beside me. I dared not shut for the scent of fresh pine stretched its way from the woods through to where I was seated, revitalizing me from my current concern of our drivers habitual unawareness. As he tackled corners of the sharpest degree, where a straight route sent you hurdling out into a vast valley of wilderness and air, turns that the average dehydrated, pale, and faint pedestrian would slow down for, his only refuge was to blast at his horn. Echoing off the bases of ongoing trees, I wondered what another car might do having heard that cry of war.
As the road widened we arrived in a town. Stepping out of that hardened, metal death-trap , I buckled under how soft the earth felt. The dirt seemed soft and polished, a welcoming breeze opened-up my senses. I was immediately aware that I was no longer the prisoner of man made defiance but but a welcomed guest to nature's inviting spirit.

Siena

The history of Siena seems painted throughout the city, with each small ally-way revealing hints of its rich past.







The town square - or Campo - lies open for visiting guests to smolder in the harsh Tuscan sun. Experienced travelers take refuge under one of the numerous surrounding cafes.















The central duomo offers its reward only to those willing to climb its harrowing steps: a beautiful palazzo with breathtaking views of the black and white marble façade.








Down any one of a number of side streets and you are likely to find a range of people selling goods or discussing local business.









Some even hope to disappear among the never ending labyrinth of streets.
















Basic architecture often borders on the comical.











If at all possible, make it up to higher levels where the city opens up in harmony with lush green tree-tops.









Only by venturing out to the edges of town can one get a sense of enormity that belongs to the outlying Tuscan landscape.









Palazzo Pubblico dates back to the 13th century, when it originally housed the republican government, and the now obsolete, Council of Nine.






At the end of the day, take time to converse with the locals. Not only full of historical tales, they are also known to crack a mean joke.