Mom's Blog from Day 1 forward

Our Beginnings

Kindness Simply

Deplaning after nine hours in flight from Chicago, we climbed off down a flight of stairs like burros heaped with luggage.

Holding to the railing and carrying the duffle bag I must have a) been slowing the line following, or b) looked as terrible as I felt, when an absolutely gorgeous young man asked (without words) if he could take my bag…

Later, in Bologna, we left luggage in the trunk and made our way by bus to the Piazza Neptune. Again, we were met with kindness from a bus driver and her passenger who encouraged us (again almost no English) to use the Euro machine and made sure we got off at the correct stop.

Our second day, the merchants in the market place were generous and kind to us with samples of meat and cheese.

Kindness is spilling over me without the need for words or even response.

Montepulciano
Bella- hills and churches and simple kindness: the “take my arm” gesture by “older” woman on steps of St. Augustino. Then, later, being asked by Americans if I knew the Church’s name. Who me? Are you talking to me? But of course: “Saint Augustino.” How kind of you to ask—in English.



Florence
One week after our arrival by plane we took the local train to Florence; like the train from Crystal Lake to Chicago, it lasted 1 ½ hours and gave us a great look at the countryside, small towns, and a great listen to Italian as spoken in the early am.

The Hotel Maxim in Florence reminded me of something I’d seen in a movie: one minute I’m standing on a crowded shop-filled street and the next I’m entering a “hidden” door –(golden)- to the upper chambers. The lobby -3rd floor- was very comfortably old world and the attendant spoke English beautifully. Our room--#23—was about as big as our kitchen at home with a miniscule bathroom whose shower easily washed across the floor. The door was a fold-out and mildly noisy in the night. Once again this spoiled American showed herself so.

The city of Florence is echoing in my bones: from the Sinsinawa Dominicans of 50-plus years ago. The nuns long-ago shared slides about the Duomo, David, and Dante, so well they are not easily forgotten.

The opera Tosca was beautifully presented. The opera house was gorgeous and the patrons definitely well mannered, genteel and not too elegantly dressed. The players were great and the words in Italian above the stage were unintelligible, as were all around us. Almost all of us stayed awake and enjoyed the performance.

Becca had been artfully preparing zucchini, potatoes, eggplant, pasta, chicken, sausage, cheese, etc., for us all week, and so to celebrate the passing of the Bar, we treated ourselves to an Italian dinner out (an antipasta, a primo, a secondo, etc…) before leaving Florence. Roger did the planning from his guide books,( Jean specifically), and we found our way on foot from our hotel. We shared steak Florentine, bruschetta with mushrooms, salade Caprese, wine, and skipped the world famous gelato next door in exchange for tirmusi. We were seated next to a couple from Taiwan who told us they “try everything different” when they’re away from home. They also told me the difference between Chinese and Taiwanese which I had learned from Sister Gilbert at Rosary nearly 50 years ago. Matt had emailed the question, “how’s the food?” now, we have one really excellent recommendation for him a short walk away in Florence, Trattoria Pallottino.

Washateria
Coming back from Florence, we decided it was time to find a washateria (not to be confused with a Euro Spin which turned out to be a grocery store). After many unsuccessful attempts at locating one, Becca told Roger the English speaking Information Office (for tourists) would tell him where to go. Loaded with words like “levalage auto” (car wash), he asked, “How will I know what the answer is?” Becca drily said, “Daaaaaadddddd, these info people speak English.” Aha, within minutes he leapt out of the car only to find a closed dry cleaner. But since the universe rides with Becca, there –on the map Roger was given by the information people- was an ad for the exact “Lava Piu” we were searching for most of the morning. Becca had guessed earlier that it would be near the campgrounds but I queried, “What makes you think that campers care about clean underwear?” Her years of camping with Michael must have taught her something, because she was correct.

What an adventure laundry day was! Place was empty-no people; multiple machines; change machines; soap was included in machine cycle; and lots of directions in English! Best of all, we had 43 minutes for lunch! Becca had spied a spot off the road trafficked by truckers, called Bruno’s Tavern.

We’re not sure if Bruno is the chef-owner-maitre’d-but his place is excellent and full of satisfied suits and trucker shirts. The meats were grilled on an indoor roasting grill so the smoky aroma filled the place. (Note bene: Roger remembers that Bruno was responsible for the final product, seasoning, etc, off the grill and it was excellante.)

Home
The Lago castle. Our castle, farm, spa, stay is huge. The very size and comfort offered was found by Rebecca online. The view of the countryside is beauteous and Lago del Trasimeno spreads before us as we drive away from the castle. The use of the spa includes: both indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, wellness services, and exercise equipment. Both Roger and Rebecca have been the best of friends accompanying me and helping me in and out of the pool, no railing (scuzi!)


Assisi
Short walks and many, many steps characterized our visit to Assisi. Becca had been there previously so she had planned the parking, times for Mass, etc.