Immaculate Conception and Siena!!

It's been good here - busy teaching and enjoying the Christmas festivities.  Saturday and Sunday was district conference here (Saturday in Livorno and Sunday in Florence).  Elder Teixeira came and spoke, along with the mission and district presidency.  It was really awesome.  
December 8th is a festa day here in Italy..celebrating the the immaculate conception.  Basically it's just a day off work, and possibly a trip to mass.  I took the opportunity to visit my friend Christina in Siena..It was a gorgeous day, even though it's been cold and a little rainy, but the sun came out for the festa.  We enjoyed the day and saw the famous Piazza del Campo, the Duomo, Santa Caterina's Chapel, the Fortezza, etc.
Dec. 8th is also the day that ALL of the lights are turned on in the cities.  There are a ton in Florence and some great ones in Siena and I LOVE THEM!  So Beautiful!

Me and Christina with Siena 
in the background

 

Piazza del Campo

 

Tuscan sunsets are amazing..

 

 The Ice Skating Rink with an awesome slide.  It felt just like being in the US with the ice rink and cold weather, the hot chocolate, the piadinas and pizzas (well, maybe not so US there) and hot dogs and the American Christmas carols!

Only a week and a half and I'll be home!  I've got a lot to do before then: some shopping, hopefully a trip to San Gimignano, exploring Florence Christmas markets and walking around to see all the lights, some panettone eating, and a side trip to Germany..