Nora in Italy: 3 Days Left

12 May 2010

3 Days Left

Hello everyone. This will probably be my last blog post while I'm in Italy. I will probably, once my laptop is fixed, make some more posts with photos once I'm home. I'm starting to get really sad about having to leave Siena, which has become my second home. Naturally, I'm looking forward to going home and seeing all my friends and family, but it will be a very bitter-sweet time. All of my finals are now completed and we have our farewell dinner tonight at a restaurant in Piazza del Campo. Tomorrow I have free to pack and then to say goodbye to Siena. On Friday, I will head off for Rome in the morning where I'm staying overnight in a hostel so that I can catch my flight on Saturday at 11 am. I'm flying home through London, so I really am hoping that there will be no problems with my flight because of the volcanic ash which is now mostly hanging over the Atlantic Ocean. There could also be another eruption or more ash coming down from Iceland, so I'm really praying that it won't affect my flight. So, keep reading even though I may be home and I'll see you all back home!

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Dare il benvenuto al mio blog (welcome to my blog)!!!

Ciao a tutti! This blog will serve as an online journal, chronicling my semester abroad in Siena, Italy! I created this especially for my family and friends so that they can follow my travels and stay up-to-date on the things that I do and see. I will be in Siena from early January to mid-May, 2010. Also, I really like to know your feelings about my blog, so please comment! To comment, click "0 comment" in blue beneath each entry. For those of you who have just started reading my blog, go to the bottom of the page and click on "older posts" to start from the beginning, or feel free to read just my most recent posts.

Love,

Nora

A little background on the city of Siena:

According to a famous local legend, the city of Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, the twin sons of Remus, who was in turn one of the legendary founders of Rome. The twins ran away from Rome in order to escape the treachery of their uncle Remus. When they stopped near Tressa, they built a fire to honor the gods Apollo and Diana in thanks for their safe journey. No sooner had they lit the fire, the smoke turned black and white, which became the colors of Siena's coat of arms.

Siena declared its independence in 1167 from episcopal control and solidified a constitution by 1179. During the 1200s many of its most distinctive and impressive buildings were built, such as the famous black and white Duomo and the Piazza del Campo, regarded by some to be one of the finest examples of a public square in Europe.

It was in the 12th century that a rivalry between Florence and Siena formed. At the base of this rivalry was the fact that Siena was predominantly Ghibelline (in support of the imperial party rather than the Pope) and Florence was Guelph. Several bloody wars between the two cities ensued, notably the Battle of Montaperti where the army of Siena crushed the much larger army of Florence. By the 13th century, a set of walls were completed which entirely encompassed the city, and most of which still exists today.

The Universita degli Studi di Siena was founded in 1240 and is the oldest University in Europe and one of the best (I am considered a student of the Universita. I have an ID card which allows me access to all of its facilities located all over the city).

An important part of Siena's history as well as modern life is the Contrade. The historic center of the city (within the walls, where I live) is divided into 17 contrade, or districts which were originally formed in the Middle Ages to supply troops to the city's defense. As time passed, they became less important in a military and administrative sense and their function became to impart local pride and patriotism. The contrade are the basis of the Palio horse race that occurs twice a year, in which horses each representing a specific contrada race against one another. The 17 contrade are: Aquilla (Eagle), Bruco (Caterpillar), Chiocciola (Snail), Civetta (Little Owl), Drago (Dragon), Giraffa (Giraffe), Istrice (Crested Procupine), Leocorno (Unicorn), Lupa (She-Wolf), Nicchio (Shell), Oca (Goose), Onda (Wave, which is the contrada I live in), Pantera (Panther), Selva (Forest), Tartuca (Tortoise), Torre (Tower), and Valdimontone (Ram). Each contrada has its own territory, church, museum, fountain, baptismal font, motto, song, allied contrada or contradae, and adversary contrada.

Places I Have Visited (A Growing List)

Paris, France
Valencia, Spain
Pisa, Italy
Porto Rosa, Sicily, Italy
Capo D'Orlando, Sicily, Italy
Piraino, Sicily, Italy
Brolo, Sicily, Italy
Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Pienza, Italy
Assisi, Italy
Bevagna, Italy
Perugia, Italy
San Gimignano, Italy
Lucca, Italy
Milan, Italy
Buonconvento, Italy
Bologna, Italy
Viareggio, Italy
Florence, Italy
Gaiole In Chianti, Italy
Siena, Italy
Rome, Italy
Usa River, Tanzania
Arusha, Tanzania
Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Lake Manyara, Tanzania
London, UK
Mazatlan, Mexico
Canada

My Favorite Things About Siena (A Growing List)

1. Terra cotta roofs
2. How people treat Piazza del Campo (the main square) like a beach when the weather's nice
3. How the bells from each of Siena's churches ring every hour
4. Gelato (especially Panna Cotta & Stracciatella)
5. How everyone hangs their laundry out to dry from their windows
6. The juxtaposition of new and old, progress and tradition
7. How there are no clothes dryers (I hope you can sense the sarcasm!)
8. The fierce loyalty of the Sienese to their Contrada
9. To be able to hop on a bus or train and be in Rome or another amazing Italian city in a matter of hours
10. How the pace of life moves slower here
11. Good food & wine

12 May 2010

3 Days Left

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