I arrived in Italy yesterday, though it seems I never left! A year has gone by and yet it feels as if I was just here walking these cobbled streets, photographing magnificent sleeping cats, peeking into churches decorated with frescoes made by the hands of great artists, being romanced by the inviting cadences of the Italian language, and eating sun-kissed food made with love and served with pride and a smile. Gianni, our Umbrian friend, came to meet us at the train station yesterday. I told Gianni that he has not changed one bit and he seriously replied, “Ma, si! (But, yes!) I have changed. Look, I have new eyeglass frames as well as new lenses!” He proceeded to take off his glasses and placed them in my hands!
OK, so some things do change.
Enjoy my Umbrian experience through the following photos!
Umbrian Landscape: a painting
Umbrian Landscape as I see it: panorama photographed from Citta della Pieve
Pizza, Bread, Sweets
La Cantina, best restaurant in Castiglione del Lago, Umbria
Dogs, like sheep, know how to find shade!
The Adoration: a portion of the fresco painted by Pietro Vannuci, the painter more commonly called Il Perugino, also knows as the “divine painter”. Il Perugino was commissioned to do this fresco in 29 days. Completed in 1504. He finished it in record time, received an equivalent of 300,000 Euros (modern day value) and a house to live in upon completion of this masterpiece. Gianni told us Il Perugino was “the Picasso of his day”.
KissWomen Alley (Vicolo Baciadonne): Rick barely got his shoulders past the narrow alley! One of the most narrow streets in Italy.
The narrow entrance. to KissWomen Alley! Warning: do not attempt to go through the alleyway after a heavy meal!
Marilyn at Lillo Tatini’s restaurant in Panecale, Umbria
One of the owners of Tatini in Panecale, a walled city free of cars.
Sleeping Beauty I: How can this stone be so comfy?
Socializing I
Socializing II
Siesta: We noticed 2 liter plastic bottles filled with water placed strategically in front of most doors, as well as the same type of filled plastic water bottles in most every flower pot and planter. Gianni explained the water-filled plastic bottles are to keep the cats from peeing on doors and in planted pots. Somehow the cats associate the water bottles with the cats getting hosed down with water if caught peeing on doors or in flower pots! Gianni says it really works!
Hanging out in the piazza outside our hotel in Castiglione del Lago, Umbria
I have another full day tomorrow to have meetings with our chef and to get ready for the yoga retreat which begins on Saturday afternoon! Can’t wait to welcome everyone on Saturday and to begin a week of yoga, great outings, wonderful company, and time to relax, renew, and take in the beauty of ITALY!
Marilyn looks so relaxed and happy. As happy as that big baby sleeping on the rock. Have fun you all!
Can’t wait! Marilyn looks to be perfectly contented and all settled in! I must be at the Madrid airport at 4am to get the 6am plane… Ugh. See you and everyone tomorrow, I trust.
Yes, it is so beautiful here! Safe travels to you and see you TOMORROW! -FRAN