Buon Giorno da Orvieto!

Sunday, 12 June.  The Feast of Pentecost.   After almost 24 hours after leaving McClung Avenue, Tippy and I arrived at Villa di Ciconia last night about 9:30 Umbria time. We tried to take that classic advice after our first round of packing:  Take half as many clothes and twice as much money!  Unfortunately, the money is the money, but we did cut our packing down considerably to carry-on size bags!  We did check them, however, since we flew Huntsville-Atlanta-Paris-Rome.  And after Tippy’s thinking she might never see her bags again, they did indeed show up at Fumicino and we didn’t even have to go through customs since we conntected through Paris.  Got the car and headed up the A-1 towards Firenze with our first stop, Ciconia. 

Andy outside of Villa di Ciconia

The kind people at this 16^th century villa outside of Orvieto were waiting on us and kept the dining room open.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal with several items accented with “Rocket” on the “English” menu.  Looking at the Italian menu, Tippy, who speaks Italian, realized this was arugula.  Being from the Rocket City, we were charmed! 

  



Tippy at Villa di Ciconia pool

We made our way into the beautiful hill town of Orvieto about lunch time today after relaxing by the pool at Villa Ciconia. Orvieto is one of the "not to miss" hilltowns and worth going back there if you have ever been before (we were here in 2000 on a family trip).  

Orvieto Duomo

The 13^th century duomo is fabulous with its mosaics, stone carvings, bronze doors and frescos. Pentecost Red flowers included red gladiola and red antheria for the fire of the Holy Spirit…lots of children with balloons.  A festival on the duomo square made for lots of tourists.   We discovered a little enoteca where we grabbed a Panini 11 years ago when we were here with Case and Sally.  We also visited the Chiesa San Francesca, where St. Bonaventure built a church in 1266 dedicated over the spot Francis visited in the early part of that century. 



Could this be a Tuscan Bean Pot?



So we are chasing St. Francis!  We are also chasing a Tuscan Bean Pot for a good friend whose family has disappointed her over and over again by not bringing her one back from Italy (she thinks they are afraid she will only serve Tuscan Beans from now on at the family Thanksgiving gathering!).  Problem is, we don’t know what a Tuscan Bean Pot is.  Could this be one in the photo?  Probably not, but we are on the search.        

Spinning, 15th Century Style!

Another friend was excited to know that I was into spinning, yarn that is.  However, the only spinning I do is on a stationary bike!  Here is the closest thing to spinning I did today (outside our charming room at Hotel Villa di Ciconia).  My yarn spinning friend will be happy! 

Nice little pranzo of pizza, calzone and Orvieto Classico, topped off by pistachio gelato!  On to Cortona and the Villa di Piazzano for cooking classes for the next week. 

Arrivaderci!