Beware of the Purple Tongue

Dinner tonight was a 5 strikes against us experience, at least from our perspective. We went to a highly recommended restaurant know over Italy for their spectacular spaghetti carbonara, Trattoria Mezza Luna. We went at 7:10, no reservation, Americana, single female's, drinkers.  We drank 2 bottles of local house red wine only to realize during several attempts to take selfies that we both had purple teeth and tongues(picture's never to be seen). We had the only non reserved table but only because we had squatters rights as the first people in the restaurant. How were we to know no one eats before 8?  At least we got to see the proprietor turn several parties away.

The rest of the patrons ended up being large parties of men or couples. We were proud of ourselves to last 2.5 hours because we wanted to make sure who was eating what.  As an aside, food was only so so but the entertainment value of being the table everyone looked at out the side of their eyes  was worth every penny. Even better. I took a picture of the room and gave them all the thumbs up as we left . Appears all the smokers decided to follow us out as we were probably a change to their normal Friday evening. Think it turned out to be an  interesting night for all.

Bring on the Vino...

My legs and feet hurt, and we weren't gone that long (4 hours), but I can definitely testify that hills and cobblestones, friendly to me they aren't. Maggi was up and we were out soon after my last note. We stopped for a quick cappuccinos and a sweet for breakfast. Savory isn't a breakfast term in Italy, unless they've been Americanized. Order and stand at the counter for least price, sit and pay more. Anthony, the proprietor of the Bar Blue seemed to take pity on us and only charged €2 even tho' we moved over to counter seating. And boy was he a cappuccino artiste, hearts and flowers in the foam.

We began the cobblestone trek directly after, already talking
about lunch. We chose to walk down (up?) the main drag and I swear must have met endless boatloads of tours coming other way. I am pretty sure they had less time to see all the sites, so we pretty much stayed out of their way. Around 1 we stopped off the beaten path for a quick pannini and a bottle of water thinking that would hold us for awhile, but as we started towards the Duomo, gelato (3 kinds of course) jumped in cups and forced itself on us. We will be eating lots of that wonderful creation.

The Duomo is definitely beautiful. If we hadn't been so full of gelato and hauling water and sweaters, we might have done the tour. They are open until 7pm during the week so will probably go back when tours leave area. Struggled back to apartment making our way through a few streets where you take your life in your hands. Everyone else is taking a siesta, we decided we needed one too. Bring on the vino.

Orvieto, We're Here!

Landed on time yesterday morning around 7:30am Rome time. Had experimented with something called No-Jet-Lag pills. Seemed to help, was up last night until at least 8 or 9 without a nap. Feel great this morning.  Anyway...

After uneventful arrival and trip through passport control, we caught train to Roma Tiburtina and then another to Orvieto. We both almost succumbed to naps on train, but fortunately pushed on. Sabrina, our lovely hostess, met us at the train station so we didn't have to deal with our luggage on the funicular and then a bus to get to her apartment in the historic walled part of Orvieto, a slow city. More about Orvieto and CittaSlow, the slow cities that have vowed to preserve ways of life by banning tourist vehicles, saving historic foods and drink, etc. later. We were just grateful not to have to haul bags over real cobblestone streets. The apartment is all we could hope for plus.  Fresh fruit, beautiful strawberries and a freshly baked chocolate torta greeted us. Yummmm.

After cleaning up we decided to explore, knowing that almost everything closes between 2-5 everyday, kinda like a siesta.   We found several Bancomats(ATMs) and once we figured out how to get to English, each made our first, of what I am sure will be many, Euro withdrawals. Worked perfect. Then we heafed off to Meta,  the supermarceto that is open all day, to inspect what was svailable . We bought coffee for the apartment's expresso machine, milk, sugar and some sweet rolls with currants or raisins. Met a young American college student who clued us in to the best place for wine, served with Stuzzichini, free finger foods. So, we stopped at ClanDestino on Corso Cavour, where Riccardo started us with gratis expresso. Maggi and I then each had a glass of wine along with the stuzzichini, but went on from there to drinking an additional bottle of wine and pizza, only leaving after a lovely time sitting outside watching the daily Passeggiata (evening walk/parade between close of work day and dinner). On our walk back bought a couple of bottles of local wines to try, later of course. By the time we got  upstairs to the apartment we were tired. Maggi had a cup of coffee and we ate cake but then pretty much decided it was a day and I gave up the ghost by about 8 or 9.

It's now 9:12am Friday morning. I've been up for hours, Maggi is still sleeping. Guess she must not have dropped off to sleep last night like me so it was probably a good thing I passed on last night's coffee. This morning I've had a few less than successfully cups of expresso already so am going out to the corner bar for the real thing. Maybe when I return she will be ready to face the day. Ciao for now.

tT

Leaving on a Jet Plane

First let me preface this post with yes, I know it's not true RV Travel, but it's my travel, 2 people, for recreation, and my blog so felt it was best place to memorialize this experience.

Leaving today for longest plane trip since 1969 when I returned to US with my family after 3 years in Ramstein, Germany. Quite a bit younger then and probably quite a bit more apprehensive now.

My friend Maggi and I are off to Italy, specifically Umbria and Tuscany, for a 3 week adventure. Husbands weren't interested so alone we go...yea!! For you who know my flying phobia, this is, what I hope, the first of more trips to come. Never fear, I do have drugs 😀

I tried to pack light, but am sure I'm not there. Suitcase will be checked and weighs 37lbs. Have a carryon, but it probably weighs almost as much. LOL

For you travelers able to do something like this out of a carryon backpack or duffle I am in awe. Who knows, maybe some day I'll get there, especially if I take a Rick Steve's tour. Probably should consider that earlier in this process rather than later.

Anyway...Let the journey begin!!!