Mercoledi, Marzo 31-10.5 miles
This day we traveled to Orvieto, the home of KSU's other Italian Studies Program and we were all especially excited to see our friends. We are only about 1.5 hours away by train but this was the first time we've actually seen some of our friends since before we left for Italy. After riding the funiculare (I love that word! funiculare, funiculare, funiculare...pronounced foo-nik-you-lar-ay) up the steep 50% slope to the walled city we met up with our tour guide Maura and stopped first at the park that was once the Papal Fortress.
Part of the park with beautiful views of the surrounding valley
One of the first things that caught my eye. An interesting modern park and amphitheater. This is an example to how strong of a statement geometry can make, especially in a situation like this where it can be viewed from high up in the distance.
Here is a picture of Saint Joseph's well. It was designed to sustain the city in case of attack. The design was revolutionary with its double helix stairway, one for going down, one for coming up to prevent collisions of the donkeys who carried loads of water.
More of the park edge...notice the old man
Here we met the old man. His name is Giovanni. He was in his 80's and as cheerful as could be. He kept telling Maura (our tour guide) how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. He also joked with Tony saying he was a lucky man that he had trouble hearing so he wouldn't hear his wife nagging Tony all the time. We found out he was a sculptor who did two of the original restorations in the Duomo. People like this and days like this are what makes Italy great.
The Duomo of Orvieto
Bronze door looking in
Inside the Duomo. The sunlight was fabulous today.
Walking along the main corso we came upon this pleasant courtyard tucked off to the side. It served as an outdoor patio for a cafe and felt very comfortable in scale with the lone Magnolia tree offering shade.
Lydia took us on the Rupe route that follows along the cliffs of the city
here is the Necropolis, an Etruscan burial ground
We came across an interesting driving situation, one that occurs all over Italy in its tight medieval towns. If you have ever wondered why Europeans drive small cars, here is your answer.
A woodworking shop/store of a local artisan family.
Our Orvieto friends hosted us for 'snackies' for us early so we could make our 8:04 train. An assortment of bruschetta and cheeses and of course wine!
Laura, Becky, and I. Laura and I planned on taking the last train (8:04) back to Castiglion Fiorentino. We hung around as long as we could. After only an hour with friends (not nearly enough time) Laura and I said our 'goodbyes' and Lydia walked us to the funiculare by 7:45 (plenty of time, right?...). We waited for the funiculare to run and after what seemed like forever it finally made it down the hill. Laura and I run across the street, validate our tickets, check the departure board (it said binario 2) and run under the sottopassaggio (underpass)....Only to find out the board changes to binario 1. We see our train coming from the opposite direction and not wanting to cross 'the bloody tracks' we sprint back down under the sottopassaggio, up the escalator (because there were some very slow people on the stairs), out to the train, slam the button to open the door...doesn't open. Slam the second button as the train begins to pull away....
Well, I guess were staying the night in Orvieto...good thing we know people!
We check the schedule for the morning, buy our tickets for the train back, buy some more funiculare tickets and head back up to the city. We take a bus back to the Duomo and make our way back to Becky's apartment.
Me, Laura, and Lydia enjoying our extra time together.
1 comment:
Thank you for all of the effort you put into these delightful posts!!! Love, Mumsy
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