Italy, Spoleto, June 2010

Spoleto was navigated in the rain but was well worth the views. We made our way up through the cobblestone streets and stopped along the way to admire the little cars that had somehow made there way into gardens. We got to the top of the town and spent time in the castle/jail/museum.

Spoleto was quiet. It lacked the conversation and the people that we discovered in the other places.

I did however enjoy getting lost in the roads and the side streets, that eventually led to a bakery that was unfortunately closed for the afternoon siesta.

We went home and ate freshly made pasta that we bought at the local grocery store and if I remember correctly an afternoon nap featured after coffee.

Italy, Orvieto, June 2010

Everybody was talking about Orvieto. This usually means we do not go. I try and find the places that very few people, except a few older locals, are talking about. We decided to go anyhow. I almost regretted the decision when we arrived and there was a never ending escalator up the side of the mountain. I mean? An escalator in an ancient hill town. But yes, everyone, needs to see this town and especially its cathedral (Domus). The escalators are very necessary.

The Domus is first seen down a street as you approach it and at first it does not impress, but once it comes into full view it takes one's breath away. It requires time: time to sit from afar and appreciate it as a whole; time to walk close by and inspect each piece of art and the thousands of hours laid into its structure; to be silent in its belly.

I found myself mesmerised by people's reactions to it. I sat for a long while on the steps, soaking the life about me in. Calvin eventually tugged at my sleeve and motioned onwards when the rain drops started falling.

Italy, Umbria, Trevi, June 2010

Trevi is an ancient hill town in Umbria. It is a forgotten, remembered place. Many of its homes are empty and in very serious disrepair but people, longing to get out of Rome, have discovered this jewel and many builders are at work to do the necessary renovations to make it a bustling place once again. In the meantime, the market square is an active, happy place to find yourself. We discovered the best pizza in all of Italy, in a family run shop, just off of the main square.

We returned twice because of the incredible views across Umbria that can be seen from Trevi's cobbled streets. We intentionally lost ourselves in the alleys and walkways. The arches and the windows especially fascinated me.

On the way out, I was sort of dancing in the street when I looked down and saw the "lace" pattern my dress was making on the tar. It was fun playing with shadows in the sunshine.

Italy, Umbria, Casa Turrita, June 2010

Italy is the picturesque place that everyone writes about. I remembered it correctly from when I travelled there many years ago with my parents.

I was amazed at the roses. There were roses everywhere: in gardens, in churches, in windowsills, along the road, in vineyards, just everywhere. Rich reds. Deep pinks. Mingled with Bougainvillea and Fuchsias.

We stayed with Susan Armstrong at Casa Turrita. She lost her husband a few years back and decided to move to Italy. She has a deep passion for the culture, the language, the art, the cuisine, the people and especially Umbria. The doorway to our apartment was arched with Jasmine. Its fragrance sweating its way into the night each time the doorway crushed its petals.

Susan has an insatiable love for books and her house and our cottage was full of them. I read one of the most depressing, but excellently written books by an Italian author in one sitting. It is the story of a woman who loses her husband to another woman. It describes in detailed accuracy the spiral of depression she slipped into and than recovered from. I was in the book when reading it and today its realities and metaphors still linger within me.

We chose the local shops over larger food chains and the fresh pasta and cheese we enjoyed can just not be come by anywhere else. One day while we were travelling to a neighbouring village we bought two truckles of cheese and a kilogram of cherries. Feasting is an understatement...

Sardinia, St Theresa, June 2010

St Theresa is a separate island off of Sardinia but it is connected by a long bridge. It is known for its rare plant life and very interesting rock formations. The aquatic colour of the water is magnificent. It is a lighter blue than anywhere else on the island.

Queen Ann's lace was in bloom everywhere and I had a lot of fun capturing it in the glare of midday. The heat drove us to rock alcoves where we rested our bodies against the cool underside of the rocks.

After that we explored an ancient boat house of which only ruins remain. It was very interesting to see the ancient, artistic work that went into an outbuilding. I discovered a small octopus in the water while I was cooling my feet down. It made me realise that I need an underwater camera.