Archive for April, 2011

Traveling With Bimbo

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Short for Bambino, long for trial and treat as KC ,Jonathan, and baby Carson are with us enjoying the laidback lifestyle of Tuscany.

He doesn’t like his carseat so he SCREAMS until we reach our destination. And then we can’t walk down an Italian street without being mobbed by folk of all ages who want to squeeze cheeks and offer little kisses.

We have him in every picture, so when he asks if he can go Europe when he is older we can prove he already did Italy! Here KC and Carson are enjoying a “tasting”!

What Is A Cache?

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Two years ago, dear friends let me in on their hobby (Geocaching.com). It is basically treasure hunting anywhere in the world.  It takes a GPS and downloads coordinates from the computer (longitude and latitude) and off we go looking for what someone has hid,registered and maintains.

There are nearly 1.4 million caches worldwide and 4 million treasure hunters like me!  So as someone could be walking down the street and be oblivious,I can zero in and find a cache. I sign the log inside it and go back to the computer and record my find!! Andy says this is for “old people”, but pffft, I think it’s fun! There are 50 or so in R.B. alone!?

Some People Just Have Dogs For Pets

Monday, April 11th, 2011

We eat a lot of this character in Italy: cinghali, a boar by any other name!

Life Is Good

Saturday, April 9th, 2011

A jug of wine, a loaf of ..oh forget it! A jug of wine works for us!  We check into our apartment on a hill, #13 Matteotti, and within the hour we moved funiture, unpacked, threw open the shutters and sash, and had christened a jug of tavelo- sangiovese grosso – nectar of the (italian) gods.

And like a puzzle piece looking for it’s fit, we are sooooo there.  Only wish the folk from 2 years ago who visited were sharing this moment.  But then, they are on our hearts as we gaze across the Val d’Orcia:  Ron, Mary, Tom, Alice, Carolyn, Jeff, Jeane, Kathie, Lisa and Andy….here’s to you, Cin cin!

Waking up to Tuscany

Spoleto To Orvieto

Saturday, April 9th, 2011

The town on the mesa built on porous rock and over 1000 caves underneath served as our prelude to Montalcino.  I think their Duomo (cathedral) is my 2nd favorite after Sienna (no 3rd if you count the incredible Vatican).

We had thought Spoleto would be our stop (“Living in a Foreign Language” by Michael Tucker of LA Law fame is where he lives) but driving the narrow roads frazzled us and we got outta dodge.  

A lovely back road drive along Lago Alviano soothed our jangled nerves and we fell back on Rick Steves for our hotel and dinner suggestions in Orvieto. Both worked well- especially dinner in an open courtyard on a balmy night with Ossobuco and Risotto di Faro.  And oh, gelato on the way back to the room (and Orvieto Classico…a fine white wine).

Guess what???

Friday, April 8th, 2011

Twingo, Hobby, Panda, Varis, Punto, Octavia, Azfira ,Xsara, Bravo,Clio, Bluette, Punto, Ci, and many more!    

Any guesses??

Assisi

Friday, April 8th, 2011

oh my..well, I joined the thousands of pilgrims in our long treck to Assisi. (wish list) Too big, too crowded, too confusing. We booked ahead the Hotel Umbra on the advice of a fellow tourist we met in SanGim.  Good grief!!! What it takes to find these places; we are so lucky to have our side view mirrors.  

We headed to the Abby around 4:30 and took our time examining the frescos depicting his life.  We did NOT join the others crawling on their knees.

The basilica “Santa Maria, degli Angeli” in the valley below was much more approachable and tho’ the 7th largest in the world! was more humble than the Abby up the hill, built in the honor of a very humble man of God.

Hill Towns

Friday, April 8th, 2011

What a find Volterra was! We had a long ramble and a quick panini lunch and an awesome look at an enormous roman ampitheater.  Very impressive but as the town aged, it became roman baths , and then the town dump, because it was in a ravine…not to be rediscovered in the 1950’s.

Further on, we be in San Gimigiano. Gutsy (or stupid), we went into the TI (tourist information) and asked if they could book us a room. We rendezvoused with Eva, who took us in her car thru all sorts of back streets and up to the 3rd floor for a deeelightful apartment. Came with a garage a block away all for 75 Euros.  For all hill towns, you have to be a mountain goat, so I  strapped on my attractive knee braces and off we went!

We splurged on dinner at ” La Vecchia Mura” (the old view) where we ate on the terrace at the edge of Tuscany.  A local wine, tortellini con burro y salvia, a choc dessert, and nothing but twinkling lights and stars.

We even found our way back to our abode. (and found a couple cache…more on that soon!).

San Gimigiano Checkin

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Rented a 3rd floor apt. in the center of town, kinnda cool. San Gimigiano is suppose to make a great white wine which we are about to go out and taste. We also are gonna go Cache hunting (did one in England) I know you think it’s crazy, but I think It’s fun.

‘About time for KC to bring her brood across the pond.

I MISS you and wish you were here.

Fly Day

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

It is now april 5 and we arrived in Italy this afternoon. Pisa, blue skies, and 82 degrees.  It was like being welcomed by an old friend — the fluid song of the language, the friendliness, the fresh tastes. I am not counting the impatient honking of car horns.

As I was flying over the French Alps , repeat, as  I was flying over the French Alps (doesn’t that sound awesome?) I was praising in my heart of hearts for the journey I’ve had so far and the 5 weeks to come!!!!!

Hello, Italy!