Day 10 - Siena, Italy (Day off)

We are in the glorious city of Siena, located in Central Tuscany, and walking its winding streets of tall buildings and Gothic cathedrals and structures, one feels transplanted to the Middle Ages, almost like being inside an ancient painting or tapestry. Streets plunge down and shoot up in wild arcs, just as the building tops are mostly arched, and all the intersecting circles and ovals perfectly echo the surrounding rolling hills, so that the city and countryside form an organic whole. The only thing that detracts from the effect is, well, tourists who are here in great droves. But never mind them (us), Siena is an eternal city of beauty, and we are lucky to spend our day off here.

Our hotel is centrally located, and run by a family, so it feels more like a B & B. Breakfast on the terrace overlooking the city and hills was sublime. Afterward, a contingent of Italian unicyclists served as tour guides to the city. Later, we met up with them again, and still more Italian riders, and drove 1km out of town to perhaps the most relaxing and lovely B & B in Tuscany, Podere Le Vigne. While dinner was being prepared, the group talked, rode mountain and trials unis, juggled and tossed disc, and generally enjoyed ourselves. Our kind hosts presented us with the lovely gift of Italian unicycle T-shirts.

Dinner for the 26 of us (MUT plus Italian contingent) was four courses of homemade goodness served under a canopy on the grass. We even saw the cooks picking fresh basil from the garden for our dishes. Dave was in heaven with the perfect tomatoes on offer, and could not eat enough of them. We all gorged on the fantastic food (never mind that today there was no riding), and then Surprise! It is Joe's 30th birthday tomorrow, so the Italians brought out a homemade cake and serenaded the birthday boy. After dinner, one of our new buddies, Giovanni, sang French and Italians songs to his own guitar strumming. Even the host's parrot got in on the act, chiming in on cue with chirps and Italian words. Bravo!

Quotes of the Day
"Well, if you need it, I'll lend you my toothbrush. Wait, just kidding. I'll lend you Roger's toothbrush."
-Andy, after a bird crapped on Connie's laptop keypad as we were trying to get a Wi-Fi signal to update the site.

Support of the Day: Grace
1. What was your best day so far?
Yesterday: we got here. I felt strong, and I think everybody's getting stronger.

2. What was your worst day/moment?
The day before yesterday when I had to eat peanuts by myself in the Madonna shelter, because that was the only shade there was.

3. Why did you decide to go on the tour?
I wanted to go on another uni tour with my family, and I could fake it by being a bicycle support.

4. Favorite gelato flavor(s)?
Right now, lemon.

5. Are there any items in your CamelBak you haven't touched or used this tour?
I have one emergency energy bar. I hope not to touch it; that would be desperate.

6. Are you collecting anything?
Photos of plumbing.

7. What was your favorite bathroom/lodging this tour?
Yesterday, at a gasoline station. There was a sticker of a guy peeing on the floor missing the toilet and a red circle with Do Not.

8. If you could change anything about your recumbent, what would it be?
(Laughs). I wish my shifter would work, my bearing were ungouged, my elastomers were still there, and my front wheel were true, for starters.

9. What were your favorite two or three films of the last 10 years?
Zoolander, and Ponpoko.

Move your mouse over the images for a pop-up caption. Click on the image for a larger picture.

Created: Saturday, June 30, 2007 21:35