Last night I went out with some friends and managed to get lost within the bus system for about 25 minutes but I found out that if I stay on one bus long enough, it will eventually pass my apartment. The nightlife of Siena is unlike another other places that I’ve seen. It has the feeling of being in a major city, but without the crowdedness that comes along with it. There are some really nice bars, cafes, gelato shops and places to go. Last night, my friends and I bought food and drinks and sat in the Piazza del Campo and watched people. Since there are so many people speaking Italian all around, when you finally hear other people speaking English, your ears automatically tune in to it. I met a couple from Louisiana that we there on their vacation and another couple from Canada on their honeymoon that I randomly started talking to just because they spoke English. People always say that when you are in a large foreign city, almost everyone speaks English. However, this is not the case for Siena. It is just small enough and traditional enough that not many people speak English, especially the older people. Most people would probably find this as a huge burden, but I enjoy the fact that I am forced to communicate with them in Italian. In the past few days I have been pushed out of my comfort zone more times than I have in my entire life. For example, when I got on (what I thought was) the right bus to go home, I asked a woman, in Italian, when my stop was. She answered me back, also in Italian that I was on the wrong bus. I was already way out of my comfort zone by even attempting to ask where my stop was, not to mention how I felt when she told me I was on the wrong one. The good thing is, everyone here is so helpful. They’re willing to pause their busy schedules to help you out and point you in the right direction, even if they do answer in Italian. Long story short, I ended up getting home and figured out the busing system the hard way.
That brings me to today. Today was my first completely free day since I got to Siena on Tuesday. I slept in until 9:00, had breakfast with my host mom, and got on the bus (yes, the right bus) to go into the city. Some friends and I wanted to spend the day adventuring throughout the city, going into shops, trying different foods, and just exploring Seina. We ended up going up a hill to one of the highest points in the city that overlooks the Siena countryside. On the top of the hill was a bench that was under an olive tree where I could sit in the shade and watch a storm that was happening miles away. That was honestly one of the coolest moments in my entire life. Being in such a beautiful place, having such an amazing view, and having hardly any care in the world. I honestly could have stayed in that place forever. Eventually, I went back to Piazza del Campo, got some gelato (again) and sat in the sun. I even took a nap in the middle of the campo, along with many other people. Everyone here is so chill, they don’t even care if they’re napping in the middle of the city. Imaging napping in the middle of Times Square. You can’t. Because it’s not Siena. And Siena is awesome. After my nap, I went back to my host mom’s house where she made Eggplant Parmesan, which is one of the foods I’ve been waiting for. It was everything I hoped for and more. After dinner I skyped with Allie and then with my parents and grandma. Finally my night ended by watching “La Pista” a show that is like a cross between America’s Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, and The X Factor. Something that I’ve noticed is that all of the pop culture here; music, TV, movies, etc. is all Americanized. The songs on the TV are from the US, the movie are mostly American films, and the TV shows are similar to many of the ones we have. Seeing so much of America in Italian pop culture is really comforting. It is nice to have a little piece of home when you are so far away. Anyway, today was the best day I’ve had here so far and it makes me excited for so many more.
PS: My Italian is improving a lot and it is a really cool thing being able to talk to your host mom and tell her that you like the food that she cooks.
PPS: I’m also really good at nodding my head, smiling, and pretending to understand what she says.
Until next time.
Ciaooooooooo ciao.
That brings me to today. Today was my first completely free day since I got to Siena on Tuesday. I slept in until 9:00, had breakfast with my host mom, and got on the bus (yes, the right bus) to go into the city. Some friends and I wanted to spend the day adventuring throughout the city, going into shops, trying different foods, and just exploring Seina. We ended up going up a hill to one of the highest points in the city that overlooks the Siena countryside. On the top of the hill was a bench that was under an olive tree where I could sit in the shade and watch a storm that was happening miles away. That was honestly one of the coolest moments in my entire life. Being in such a beautiful place, having such an amazing view, and having hardly any care in the world. I honestly could have stayed in that place forever. Eventually, I went back to Piazza del Campo, got some gelato (again) and sat in the sun. I even took a nap in the middle of the campo, along with many other people. Everyone here is so chill, they don’t even care if they’re napping in the middle of the city. Imaging napping in the middle of Times Square. You can’t. Because it’s not Siena. And Siena is awesome. After my nap, I went back to my host mom’s house where she made Eggplant Parmesan, which is one of the foods I’ve been waiting for. It was everything I hoped for and more. After dinner I skyped with Allie and then with my parents and grandma. Finally my night ended by watching “La Pista” a show that is like a cross between America’s Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, and The X Factor. Something that I’ve noticed is that all of the pop culture here; music, TV, movies, etc. is all Americanized. The songs on the TV are from the US, the movie are mostly American films, and the TV shows are similar to many of the ones we have. Seeing so much of America in Italian pop culture is really comforting. It is nice to have a little piece of home when you are so far away. Anyway, today was the best day I’ve had here so far and it makes me excited for so many more.
PS: My Italian is improving a lot and it is a really cool thing being able to talk to your host mom and tell her that you like the food that she cooks.
PPS: I’m also really good at nodding my head, smiling, and pretending to understand what she says.
Until next time.
Ciaooooooooo ciao.