DIECI

We don't get weekends in Siena very often because we travel so much (I'm not complaining),  so last weekend we had a roommate dinner that Sunday night, which was a blast! We made homemade gnocchi in a sage and butter sauce and in a vegetable concoction! Yummyyy!
 

 
This weekend Frances invited me to go with she and her mom to Lake Como (where George Clooney owns a home). I was so excited because this weekend was an Italian holiday so we had a four day weekend and I was going to be alone in Siena. Literally every person I knew was leaving town!! Thank goodness for Frances!! We had a great time! We stayed in this beautiful villa overlooking the lake. The mountains in Switzerland were just to the left of the villa! Literally absolutely beautiful and breathtaking! We arrived in Milan Friday morning and toured around Bellagio for a bit then headed to Lake Como. Saturday we toured the towns and shopped. We had lunch in Lake Como where I was proposed to by the waiter... super awkward yet hilarious. He tried putting his ring on my finger but I declined. The language barrier wouldn't have worked ;) Then we headed back to Bellagio and made dinner at home. Frances and I tried a sauna for the first time and we both hated it. We lasted for about 5 minutes then got out as fast as we could! It hurts your face and I couldn't breathe... I don't know how people find that enjoyable at all. Sunday morning we packed up and headed back to Siena! It was a great time! 
   
Next week Thursday we head to Sicily for five days for class! I'm really excited for that because that's actually where I wanted to study but the program didn't run this semester due to lack of interest. Other than that, not much else is new here. Yesterday marked the 6 weeks left in Italy. So sad! I can't believe time has gone by so fast! I am excited to go home and be with my family over the holidays though, there’s nothing better than that! 

I decided to put together my top ten everything thus far. I haven’t gotten to go everywhere and see everything I’ve wanted to but I think this will give everyone a good look at what there is here and how much I’ve loved being here.

We only have six weeks left… I cannot believe it. Where did the time go?! Time certainly does fly when you’re having fun!

Here are my three top ten lists!

Places:

1. London
2. Lake Como
3. Siena
4. Cinque Terre
5. Barga
6. Castiglione
7. Florence
8. Montalcino
9. Arezzo
10. Pisa

Food:

1. Pizza
2. Gelato
3. Biscotti
4. Gnocchi
5. Pesto
6. Pasta
7. Risotto
8. Upside down chocolate cake
9. Cheese
10. Meat platters

Things To Do In Siena:

1. Visit the piazza
2. Visit the Duomo
3. Visit the Piazza Pubblico
4. Walking and exploring
5. Shopping
6. Trying out all the ristoranti possible
7. Trying out all the gelaterias possible
8. Night life… get to meet Italians our age
9. Contrada parties
10. Climb the Tower (Torre del Mangia)

(There’s so much more but I only choose my top 10!)

Aimee Crouch, University of Iowa

CET Siena Student Correspondent