I’m checking in from the internet cafe. This time it really is the Siena WEB 59, the other place was Siena WEB 54. They’re across the street from each other, but this one has kindergarten-size seats you can sit in while you type. 🙂 And no Paul, the American in Siena.

The weather turned out to be perfect after all: sunny and mid 70’s. Perfect tourist weather. Kelly noted yesterday now Italian parents seem to bundle up their kids in spite of the warm weather. I would also add to that how most Italians I’ve seen seem to dress far to warm for the weather, anyway. Tourists stand out with their shorts, while natives are sweating under long sleeves and jackets. Go figure.

We spent time having a big lunch of leftovers today, although fantastic leftovers. Then it was a quick walk to the bus stop into town. From there, we went straight to the Campo tower, the tallest one we’ve seen so far in Italy. With Travis strapped in front of me and Hallie being carried (!) up by Kelly, we climbed the 500 some-odd steps up to the top. It was insane, but we did it, and have some great photos to prove it. Going down was no less nerve-wracking, but at least we had gravity on our side.

I found out yesterday about my new nephew, whose name has not yet been decided, last I heard. I have yet to see pictures, as checking mail from an Internet Cafe is a sketchy proposition. I’m hoping one of the website-having family members of mine can get around to posting pics, but that hasn’t happened yet. Oh well.

I’ll miss Italy dearly. It has been much fun. Asked what I would change, I would get an apartment with a telephone. Adding Internet and satellite service would improve things. These are resources which can make the most of a visit. Its much easier to plan for things that way. I’d also turn in the car after the first week, as Siena offers plenty to see just from taking the bus and walking. Parking here is also nonexistent, so there’s that.

Travis is feeling better, in spite of his constant waking and crying last night. Kelly suspects he’s cutting a new tooth, and I agree. He is still passing out smiles to all who will take them.

If I ever decided to rob an Italian bank, all I’d have to do would be to wear Travis on the Baby Bjorn while I did it. No one would ever pick me out of a lineup! (Travis, however, would be fingered in an instant.) Italians are a baby-crazy nation! Everywhere we’ve gone, people have fallen over themselves trying to goose Hallie or Travis. It’s really cute. They’re gonna miss all of this attention when we get back.

We are planning a group dinner tonight before packing all our stuff up for the trip home. The plan is to leave for Florence at 9 AM local time, return the cars at 10:30, and catch a plane to Paris at 1 PM. From there, we catch our plane back to the States. We’ll spend Saturday night at the Swanson’s outside of DC before flying back to Raleigh Sunday morning.

Travel always changes you. You come back from a visit quite the same person as you left. This trip has changed me already, with plenty of aftershocks to anticipate once we’re back.

Ciao, y’all!