Ya Mule! - Backpacking In Siena, Italy
Ah, the glamour of backpacking through Europe. Of course, the
glamour comes with a price as I found in Siena, Italy.
Siena
Siena is located an hour or so outside of Florence, Italy. My
handy dandy guidebook suggested it was a side trip that just had
to be made. A medieval structure located behind protective walls
on the top of a hill. The central area was generally closed off
to cars and it was a taste of true Italy. Who was I to argue?
As I sat on the train, I check my backpack for any excess
weight. I had already discarded or sent home unnecessary items
and was feeling pretty light on my feet. Next thing I knew, the
train had stopped and I was standing on flat road next to a
rolling hill covered in trees and homes. Siena proper was at the
top.
The thing about rolling hills with lots of foliage is they are
simply evil. You can never get a grasp on how far it is to the
top. You keep thinking the top appears to be a few hundred feet
in front of you until you reach it. Then you discover it is just
a dip before another upward section. The hill up to Siena is
just such a rolling hill. Throw in a road that twists all over
the hill like a drunken sailor on leave, and you'll never scoff
at a moped again.
Getting in touch with my inner mule, I began to climb and tame
the great beast. As I trudged along, I thought of all the great
people that must of walked up the same hill throughout history.
As I stood in the shade panting, I thought all of those great
people probably hitched a ride instead of walking like me.
After thirty-five minutes or so, I was seriously starting to
think about hitching a ride. Of course, this would mean
admitting defeat. The battle between my genetic male
stubbornness and "this sucks" attitude was intense. Like a mule,
I kept going. Five bends, three dips that I could have sworn
were the top.
Just as I was giving in...a wall. A really big wall. I passed it
and suddenly was in a large parking lot area with tourist buses.
Hands on knees, shirt soaking, I tried to maintain my dignity as
the tourist looked at me like I was insane. Did that moron walk
up here? One even took a picture!
After composing myself...err, getting my breath back, I booked a
room in a little hotel. The young lady working the desk seemed
hesitant, but I made some comment about it being a long way up
from the valley. She started giggling and I had the room.
I showered and went looking for trouble. Well, trouble that was
on a flat surface. In the town centre, I stumbled upon a small
caf