For days Michele and I have been playing leap frog passing each other along the way. He got a new pair of socks in Siena. Utter luxury for a Pilgrim.
Leaving Siena, the farmland became Crete Senesi, a gray, claylike soil. Rolling gray fields had a spectacular 360° panoramic view but provided no shade.
Wolf suckling the mythical twin founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.
Being in Siena is like being in a blizzard and trying to see one snow flake. The city is magnificent but too much to see. My eyes drift across the surface of objects without really seeing it. Too much stimulus. Nature is much kinder on the eyes.
Siena’s backstreets.
The day was marked by the number of castles passed. A half-dozen more or less.
Monteriggioni is a perfectly picturesque medieval fortress with fourteen towers. It currently was hosting a Medieval Festival filling the fortress with period costumed entertainers and an enthusiastic audience. Each tried to outdo the other in volume. My room overlooks Piazza Romana the center of the performances and the loudest entertainment. Perfection slipped.
A quick hello and goodbye to Rebecca and Vieri who provided gracious hospitality in their home. At Vieri’s suggestion I walked for an hour along land his family has owned for generations. Serendipitously the road merged with the Via Francigena.
Michele is an old school Camino Pilgrim. He’s not seen at cafés, hotels, or restaurants along the way. He frequents Pilgrim hostels that don’t charge fix prices but asks for donations. Tent camping is one of his option. Keep it simple. Be less needy.
Things are sorted out. What to unpack after a walk which is only 10% of what I packed. What to carry in my backpack during the day’s walk…water, food, mini medical bag, charger. Weighing the risk of starting the day with clean walking clothes or wet washed walking clothes.
