Taking Numbers, Getting Names

I'll admit, the first night in Siena wasn't easy, but that is to be expected when traveling. It's just important to keep in mind that things change as you become acclimated to a new environment. The other important lesson of the day: you don't have to take in ALL OF SIENA in one day. Believe me, we tried....ok not really, but we probably spent a solid eight hours walking around Siena and getting thoroughly and wonderfully lost.

Lemme just show you Siena really quick:

I know right?!? But this picture doesn't even do it justice.

The other thing that is quite notable about this lovely city, is that streets rarely (if ever) go where you think they're going to go. It's one of those things, where you know you are five minutes from your destination, but it takes you 45 because you have to go in all sorts of convoluted circles and backtrack and...oh wait, that's just because I got myself lost. Yep. Headed towards the tower (not the tower you can see in the picture), but the tower in Piazza del Campo because that is how I get back to my apartment, but the streets kept curving everywhere and it took quite a while for me to figure my way back. I did make it though...in case any of you were worried. Don't be. 

Here are a few examples of street views, that may begin to capture why I was having some difficulties with navigation.

So yea...it's pretty gorgeous here. 

The other notable event of the day, was getting an Italian phone. We went in a group of around 6 people and one of our resident assistants came with us (thankfully!). The whole process took around 2 hours and was far more confusing than really is reasonable. But Camilla (the RA) was hilarious. She said that everything is just more complicated here in Italy and that we're just going to have to get used to it. But that's all fine by me. We figured it out, and she was a huge help. And...I just got a new SIM card, which means I'm still carrying around my regular phone. It's almost as if nothing happened!

Walking around was really nice. I can't really say that I've gotten used to where I am in comparison to everything, but I'm definitely making progress. We also split into smaller groups which was nice. The 14 of us are starting to get to know each other...and now that we have phones figured out, are starting to actually be able to communicate with each other, and feel like normal humans again. (That's where I got the title of this post from, if you were curious). The group is really quite small, with only 14 of us, but I do like the dynamic. Everyone is super chill and we all know each other's names already.

I think that is all for now though, I need to get some sleep because we're back to actually having to wake up in the morning....crazy.

Oh...I haven't shown you food yet. What is wrong with me?!?! Let me fix that really quick before I go to sleep.