inSPIREd Sunday

Set against a bright blue sky, the 
campanile of the Siena Cathedral, aka 
Santa Maria Assunta, aka the Duomo.

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]

inSPIREd Sunday

This is the 13th-century Cathedral of Siena, aka
Duomo di Siena, aka church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Inside is a spectacular marble mosaic floor that's visible
only for six to ten weeks per year (try to get there in
September), then covered for its protection.

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

Passed by this restaurant on the way to see the
home of St. Catherine in Siena (through the
gateway just beyond). Loved the clever way the
tables were built to accommodate the sloping street
(and 20 minutes later there wasn't a seat to be had).


[To see more Sunday shadows, go here.]

Traveling Tuesdays

St. Dominic:  Look—there's a bird on my head.

St. Catherine:  Tell me about it!
Sorry—I couldn't help myself.  Seriously,
though, why don't they put up some kind of
netting to protect these beloved saints
from Siena's flocks of dirty pigeons?


[To see more Tuesday travels, visit Sandi's meme.]

Siena

We did a day trip to Siena and caught the

highlights, starting with the beautiful, detailed Duomo

and the Piazza del Campo, where they run the Palio.

This is a hillside city—

not a problem for these pigeons, who've found the perfect perch.

locals

Took these shots in Murano (the man who 

delivers the all-important bubble wrap), 

Venice (a guy who's very much at home on his boat), 

Florence (a waiter with a great face), 

and Siena (I couldn't walk in those shoes 

on cobblestones if you paid me!).

Siena

Thinking we might take a little side trip

today, just to wander around Siena a bit,

check out the duomo and the campo, of

course—where you find the Fonte Gaia

(Fountain of Joy) and the cleanest (AND

most joyous) pigeons.