"The Communists Live Upstairs"

Venerdi, Gennaio 29:

This morning I went to my first Italian market. It was like many markets I've seen in the States (except for the 1/2 pig heads displayed for purchase....) There were so many scarves, I could have gone crazy. I couldn't resist my need to shop so I bought one (I am a sucker for teal colors), besides the fact it was cold and I needed it to keep warm! There were so many charming elderly men there chatting away (probably while their wives shopped, I see this universal human nature!) There were also a lot of people with dogs.






















(Clips of the Market. It happens every
Friday in our charming little hill town.)

We went on a morning tour (walked about 2 miles). We went by a church and the ladies there just invited us in (this seems to happen a lot in Italy, people are so friendly).




























(a crucifix and sculpture of San Michele Arcangelo)

Next on our tour was visiting a old (old in Italy is circa 1500's or earlier!) house with brick barrel vaulted ceilings. The man who owned it invited us in. Outside his house was a garden with a view of the Collegiata and the valley. (And....his garden has grass! That is a rare occurrence in many Italian hill fort towns). The old man described the surrounding buildings and different additions. He explained that some of the editions are "not that old, only 150-200 years old" all non-chalantly. (In the US that is amazing to see buildings that old). The old man also explained, (my favorite part of his tour!) that "the Communists live upstairs". He just slipped that in and continued talking. Oh, funny Italian!














(View of the Collegiata overlooking
the valley. It was a cloudy, rainy day.
When the sun is out, the colors are so
impressive)















(View out over the valley from the man's front garden)
















(the old man's house)












(The barrel vault of storage
under the old man's house.
It's hard to see but in the back
you can see the building coming
right out of the bed rock)




























(the old man and an image from inside his garage)



























(inside the house)

After our tour, we came back for lunch which was Polenta (with sausage and cornbread), Then a group of us went on a walk down to the train station about 2.25 miles. Dinner was pasta and chickpea soup, pork roast, and fries (can you believe it!) and fruit. Then a bunch of us played cards. And, that was my night!