A word or two

Here it is nearly the middle of January and still one sunny, warm day follows after another. It’s been a week since we returned to Siena and have had absolutely grand weather. The wind can be a bit brisk and chilly, particularly in the shade, but otherwise it’s definitely sunny Italy.

We have really done very little since our return. We spend our time relaxing, walking, and just basking in the simple pleasures of living here, at least for the moment. One more week and the quiet life I suppose before we move to Florence.

We have spent much of the past week at the Cantina in Piazza, working on our Italian, eating great food, talking about wine and enjoying being with Aimone and Alessandra. David Schapiro used to tell us last March about the enjoyment he derived from just hanging out at the Cantina and he certainly knew what he was talking about.

For those of you thinking of traveling to Siena anytime soon bear in mind that this is one of the more quiet times of the year right now. Many shops and businesses are either closed until early February or on restricted hours. Also the number of local events is reduced, or so it seems to us.

Well the foreign students have arrived and are in force as school begins here in Siena. Earlier this week we came across numerous herds of American students receiving their city orientation and afterward they were seen all about town in small groups of twos or threes checking out the postcards, calendars, etc.

In just a couple of weeks Susan, too, will be starting school as she starts a wholly new chapter in her life. And quite a change it will be, too. Just think. For her entire adult life Susan has been connected with and worked in medicine, and as en ER physician she worked in one of the most stressful fields of medicine. Now she is going to, in simple terms, “do something else.” Not for a week or a month but for the rest of her life. Absolutely amazing.

As for me, if I can just get this Nikon camera repaired somewhere, sometime, I might be able to take a photo or two. In the meantime I have our interview project to work on and think about future projects for the internet.

Take care, stay cool and keep warm.