N.B. This morning, I typed a BRILLIANT entry, only to have had the network at the school crash before I could get it posted. I'm sure you may have heard from the kids about their lack of faith in the internet at the school, and the school is aware of this. When they hear ME complain about something, they know it's bad.
Wow - the last few days before we leave! What a time we've had this week! The kids have had the chance to enjoy things without my overbearing leadership (even though I'm always around for advice), and they're really enjoying the time to have with the city before our departure on Friday morning. Yesterday, several of the kiddos returned to the area near Rapolano Terme to visit those sulphur baths again (Thomas was totally prepared, in his woven straw hat, t-shirt, and swimtrunks - he looked like a young Jimmy Buffett). Thank goodness they met at the Mercato (large market in Siena every Wednesday AM) at the beginning of class today - let the market-goers enjoy the sulphur whiff!
Today, the kids experienced their last day of touring Tuscany by visiting San Gimignano. A cute little town up on a hill, it's most known for its towers (14 now, many fallen due to disrepair), and is a great place to stroll to get away from the madness of BIG CITY Siena. They also have the best Gelateria in THE WORLD, as far as I can tell (Gelateria Santa Fina - Sta. Fina is the patroness of San Gimignano, like Sta. Catherina of Siena). Perhaps the kids went up to the Rocca (their small fortress on the top of the hill) for some beautiful views, or perhaps they climbed the Torre Grosso? I also encouraged them to visit the Duomo of the city, where there are beautiful frescoes depicting the stories of the Old and New Testaments, plus the chapel where the remains of Sta. Fina are kept.
Did the title tease you? Certainly not! The Italians are very proud of their food - if a restaurant is open, it's not going to be bad - the locals wouldn't tolerate bad restaurants in their neighborhood (even in a large city like Rome). In Tuscany, some of the favorite foods are Pecorino cheese, Prosciutto al cinghiale (wild boar), and other smoked meats and sausages, hot and smoking on the plate. But, most of all, the Siennese are very proud of their sweets. Here are a few:
riciarelli - soft, crumbly cookies coated in a thin layer of powdered sugar. Often have a hint of orange or lemon zest.
Panforte (or its sister panpepato) - Italian ( = good) version of fruitcake, it is made with honey, candied fruits, and sliced almonds. YUM
cantucci - hard cookies, looking similar to small biscotti ("twice-baked" cookies), served soaked in vin santo, a local dessert wine. Not a pleasure to eat on their own (can break your teeth!).
I promise - I'll encourage your children to consider bringing one of these home for your sampling!
Tomorrow, we're headed for a stroll through town (not unlike our first one when we were learning about the town on our first day), then to the Fortezza for a time of sharing and journaling, before we all return home to pack and prepare for our Friday morning departure. How quickly time has flown - they're all hesitant and not looking forward to leaving (always my goal). What memories they're going to bring home to you - of their friends at school, of their homestay families, of their dining experiences, of their times in the Campo, of their MANY tours with me . . .
Again, I'll try to find time while we're in Rome to write, but it may just have to happen after we return!!!
un abbraccio,
Laura :)
P.S. Thank you, Moores, for letting me know your group size! Please, if you plan to join us for dinner on Friday or Saturday night, contact me so that I can include you on my counts! a piu tarde!!!
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