geriandlennyblog: Thursday, May 26, 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011 – SIENA

We decided that if we are in the area we should drive to Siena. We had heard such positive comments. We thought the 2 hour drive was worth the trip. Siena is a beautiful old medieval city. Like all it sits high in the mountains. At one time about 1260 it was a major banking center and military center. There population was 60000 which is the same today. In the 1300’s it was equal in population to the size to Paris. Today Florence has grown to 420000 and Siena has stayed the same. The city is easy to walk and has some very interesting areas. The Campo is the center of the city. It is a large open area with a museum at one end and sourrounded by shops and restaurants today. A great meeting place. The other major area is around the Duomo. The art work is great. There is also good shopping through out the city and great views from every spot.

We had a hard time finding a parking spot. We found them but the lots were full. We had to drive through a large one near their modern soccer field at least three times before we found a small spot. I had to be careful parking so as to have some room to open my doors. Skipping ahead we left the window open on the driver side the entire 4 hours we parked. Nothing was taken and that included our GPS system. I guess I parked well and no could get close to the care.

The highlight of our visit to Siena was lunch. Well not the lunch but the sign we sat under by accident. The sign pointed to a Synagogue. After lunch which was sandwiches that Geri made we found the place. It was behind the Campo in a small alley. We rang the bell and were greeted by an Israeli who while not trained as a Rabbi has been sent to play that role for the 50 Jews living in Siena. There are only 29,000 Jews in all of Italy today.

Eli Rabani met an Italian girl in Israel, married her and moved to Siena to help support the Jewish Community and it’s special Synagogue. They have three kids and she converted. They have been there three years and hope to return to Israel next year if he can get the right job. He is very dedicated and knowledgeable. He told us the history of the Synagogue that was built in the 1300’s, had its ups and downs, It has close to 72 torahs with just two in kosher condition. He has Friday night services and some Sat ones and all the major holidays. This year he had 4 Bar and 2 Bat Mitzvahs and 3 bris’s. The Italian government helps pay expenses, and donations help. No pictures were allowed to be taken at this traditional Sephardic Temple. The fear was spreading the word and possible anti-Semitism.

We talked about Obama, Israel, his concern that war would breakout in Sept and even Glen Beck.

We spent our remaining time walking the city, sightseeing and looking for purses. We only had a minor problem finding our car with the open window.

After the two hour drive home I was read for a drink.

About 8:30 we had dinner in. About 10 our home owner Gisella came in and soon after her husband. We sat and talked for a few hours while we drank some wine.

He has no English but she is very good and tries hard. They made our day tonight and they have helped make this a great week. Gisella and Geri exchanged some gifts which was nice.

I guess we are getting close to the end of our wonderful month long trip.