Sunday

Sundays are nice because they are the one day that SIS doesn't have anything planned for us. Therefore, I can sleep in and relax. I can finish any weekend homework and go out for hot chocolate and pastries with friends. Overall, Sundays are great. This Sunday was particularly nice because a couple Italian student who are friends of SIS have started a thing where they plan different activities or trips to show us around and just have fun. This past Sunday was the first time for a get together. We went to a nice bar and had sandwiches for lunch. Then they showed us around the city and some great places for food, chocolate, and other things. We also went to Il Chiesa Santa Doeminca which is a very large and famous Catholic church in Siena. What is its claim to fame? I'm glad you asked!

A long time ago, there was a women known as Saint Catherine. She lived in Siena and wanted very much to get closer to God. She decided that starvation was the key and began eating almost nothing. They say that she was even seen floating around the city. I guess when you don't eat you become light enough to float through Siena. Anyways, she eventually died of starvation. Being a Saint, she was a very important women and also very famous. She was born in Florence, but lived most of her life in Siena so the two cities fought over who deserved her body. Some how in the process her head "fell off" and now her head is on display at the church along with her thumb and few of her belongings. Florence eventually got the rest of her body. The church is large and very beautiful with plenty of history and gorgeous paintings and ornate art. Very much worth checking out because who wouldn't want to see a centries old head and thumb along side art?

After our little excursion through the city, we went to this place called the Tea Room, where they make every kind of tea imaginable and you get your own pretty tea cup and tea pot. They also serve desserts and cakes. I don't like cake but I very much enjoyed my cake. It is such a cute little place and they have the coolest decorations.

Overall, it was a lovely day with a nice change of pace. I thinking I'm going to have to go back for more cake at the tea room!

-Cori