Sienese? ... puhlease!

Last weekend I went to Siena, had oh such a wonderous time.

Siena is much more hilly than Florence, which were rival cities in the Gothic period (Florence won, OF COURSE). The Sienese tried to outdo the Duomo of Florence, but after they'd built like the first wall, apparently realized it was architecturally unsound ... aka impossible. Then the plague hit, which kinda put a damper on all that grand thinking.

I did manage to see the preserved head of St. Catherine (skin and all!), along with some other equally elaborate (and disturbing/ridiculous) reliquaries.

We also saw a baptismal faunt with Ghiberti, Donatello, AND della Quercia relifes/statuettes for it.

We also traveled to nearby San Gimignano, which has 17 towers (it used to have over 40) from families trying to out-do one another. These we climed for an amazing view of beautiful northern Italy at sunset. We then finished the day with some wine tasting (with peccorino cheese and wild boar salami) at one such tower.

I also saw the Allegories of Good and Bad Government, which any art history nerd will recognize, as well as many other cool, and some very strange, frescos. Also I saw some amazing illuminated manuscripts and stained glass windows.


Check facebook for photos.

Venice Carnivale

So last weekend there was a school-sponsored trip to Venice for the final weekend of the famous masked celebration of Carnivale. My housemate and I were both on the waiting list, but neither of us got on the actual trip, so we booked ourselves some train tickets (with no further plans than that), and headed out. It was the beginning of a surreal and amazing weekend.

First of all Venice is much like most of you probably picture it: Lots of tiny streets and canals with arched bridges, and gondolas everywhere. It's also pretty much a labyrinth, and there are helpful signs everywhere with arrows to the main piazzas. The only problem with them is that pretty much every sign has two arrows pointing in opposite directions.

So we get to Piazza San Marco, the center of one of the 6 "sense" regions of the city (it was divided into such to add some new spice. San Marco was in the "Mind" region so I think it was like a synthesis of everything). It was really crowded, but a lot of fun, with bands playing, masks being worn by many, and beautiful views of churches and canals. Every now and then you would find yourself in the path of a parade of stilt-walking acrobats or costumed processions of masked couples. It was all incredibly lavish and elaborate. I myself purchased a mask, and later on a hat to complete my disguise.

After like less than an hour wandering aimlessly and in wonderment, we run into some friends, and sneak onto the SACI bus that night to crash in their hotel. (We also the next morning get some of the last tickets on a Sunday train back - talk about lucking out!). We head back to Venice that night and are led by "The Light Blue Princess" (actually a man) who was quite chivalrous and kind, to the main square, which had turned into one huge dance party. It was pretty intense, and we met a lot of Italians and also other foreigners from England, Australia, etc.

I just linked some photos from facebook because the internets are too slow to post my photos twice.