Twelve

CROWDED PIAZZAS AND CARRE FOURE
If you thought Indians were expressive..... You have to see the Europeans under the influence or when they are having a drink and dinner. Lots of hand waving, chattering and excitement.
A whole lot of cyclists had come from several places and they were also cycling down to Sienna which is about 64 kns from Volterra. They packed up a large van. Some decided to cycle and some decided to ride the van. 
We had our breakfast of bread and butter (vegetarians only. The rest had cold cuts and boiled eggs). The coffee and tea was served in style. 
We then packed our van, giving me a feeling that we had more luggage than we brought. Considering we have drunk all the rum and practically have eaten all the pre mix food also. 
We drove and stopped at Colle de la delisa, a small little town, a little busy, a little touristy and so we parked our vehicle somewhere far and walked on small pavements, with cafes opening just then. The old men were gathering for their little companionable meeting and some playing of cards I think. 
We walked down to a little doorway opening on to a large cafe, which further opened into a huge valley. Lots of greenery here. I love a wine spritzer, very revitalising.
We saw some pottery shops, with lovely stuff, but like I said that I do not want to carry back anything. Am going to ask my friend Asma to paint one for me. 
We then drove into Sienna into a parking lot and Matina pointed out to escalator sign and I breathed easy. But we had to walk with our luggage to the elevator place. And then we rose and came up four floors by escalators. Exciting and then we came out into the open with several cars parked, kids screaming down slides, people eating ice creams and we walked up, down and then halted some place for which we had a key. We went in and waited some more before the key opened the door. It was left in small black box outside flat. 
Very nice place with the coolest tiles and cooiest rooms and a splendid kitchen, with dishes and such and only one bathroom. How quirky is that. 
Matina had booked a table for us at the Piazza del campo at the ristorante Il Bandierino. You walk in from a noisy street and we thought it would be another cafe, but the sight was breathtaking. 
Huge Piazza filled on all three sides with tables and cafes and a place with a hum of chatter, tableware against chinaware. And the waiters took my breath away with their swift precise actions, their phenomenal memories and the superb food. I had ordered for calzone, huge with tomato sauce on it. 
The menu card said the calzone contained ham and one more meat and then I said that I was a vegetarian and he said and I quote "we can get rid of the meats for you. " Well it arrived, it was delicious. 
I had ordered for a rissotto and though very al dente, it was delicious. With a glass of red wine.... 
Today we hung around at the room, had pongal, a decent bath and then walked down to Carre Foure for a look see. For lunch had pre mix upma, left over pizza and life is currently good. The weather has dramatically changed with it raining outside and a chill breeze blowing in...