Sono qui!

I'm here!!! Happy to say that I'm whole with all of my possessions in tact, just a little worse for wear. I've got a blister on my luggage hand and a pretty bruise from the whole running and waiting process that is traveling, but especially so in Italy.

All in all, the trip to Siena took over a day. And in case you didn't know, it's summertime. And summertime is more summery without airconditioning...and lugging my 47 pound suitcase around made me super gross. But after more planes, trains, and buses than I wish to count I finally got here. Not having any communication with which I could contact my friend Filippo, I tried buying a SIM card for my new international phone. Unfortunately the phone store didn't have one on hand...even though that's what they're there for. And one won't be in until Wednesday. Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to my own version of Wonderland: Italy. Doesn't make sense, but that's how it works.

So I duck into a pub I know has wireless internet and text Filippo over Skype. (At this point, I have a realization that I could not survive in a time before this technology.) Filippo finds me as I update Facebook to let everyone know I've arrived. I pack up my computer and walk out the door to run into Luciana of all people in this great city.

Now, I'm not sure I could produce a better picture of the small community nature of Siena if I tried. Luciana was my first host mother, who I grew very close to during my month here. During my semester in Siena I made the mortal sin of not contacting her after telling her I would be coming. When I ran into her in the middle of Piazza del Sale, she was so surprised to see me she started crying, hugged me until I couldn't breath, and slapped me about 5 times. Lovingly of course, although I could see the outline of her hand on my cheek for a few hours afterward.

So when I step out of the dark pub my fight or flight response flares. I consider turning and running back into the pub, but then she makes eye contact with me. I brace myself for another round of decimation, but she pulls my sweaty self tightly to her. She is so excited to see me that she's talking in super sonic speed with her thick Tuscan accent. I'm so exhausted and overwhelmed I ask Filippo to translate for me. I tell her I'll call her tomorrow (which is today--I better find one of those SIM cards pronto!).

Finally, we get to Filippo's place and after a few minutes catching up I grab a cold shower. He fills me with a good meal that suffices for the lack of food from the whole day. And to finish off the night, we meet my good friend for Koppa Kabana gelato (fondente e pompelmo-YUM!) in the Campo. So I'm here and happy. Plenty more to update later, but for now I've got a city to rediscover!