Today is a rainy day. The rain started this morning; it stops for awhile, then it starts in again. Therefore, this is a perfect day for studying and reflecting.
After I sent the blog post this morning, I realize that for me, an almost-English major, I certainly use too few words to describe what I want you to see.
For example, yes, the vista towards the east is indeed beautiful. But why would I stop with just saying “Beautiful”?
This is the vista that I see, looking toward the east. I really do want you….all of you…to see what I am seeing, feel what I am feeling.
As I look out over this valley, in the distance I can see Lago Trasimino. Although it is located in Umbria, this lake is only about 20 kilometers from here. It is a very large lake, and I hope we can get there someday soon.
Another thing I see, and you will, also, I trust, is that the hills and valleys are not simply shades of green. Some of the fields are golden. These are the fields where the grain has already been harvested, the hay has already been cut and rolled into the round bales. Do you see the olive trees all lined up on the terraces, to the left? Do you see the vineyards, the old and older farmhouses? The trees on the rolling hills?
Now come with me as we walk through the town of Montepulciano.
This is the street I walk up every day to go to school. Do you see the yellow building at the top of the street? Our school is just past that building. Every morning, by the time I get to school, I am huffing and puffing. But I know I have gotten my cardio-respiratory exercise for the morning. But then, we walk a few meters further, to the bar to get our coffee for the morning.
Do you remember that “Il bar” is not a bar, like we think about in America. In Italy, “Il Bar” serves, in the morning, primarily coffee ..in all forms, cappuccino, espresso, caffe latte, macchiato..and now I find, coffee to go…”caffe portare via”. The bar also has many different kinds of pastries: brioche, cornetti filled with cream or chocolate or marmalade. Later in the day one can get panini, or cold drinks, and in the afternoon, Il aperitivo…a glass of wine, a beer, an Aperol spritz, plus little snacks to go with the drinks.
This, of course, is not a coffee-to-go, but a frozen cappuccino. Very delicious..but I want you to notice that we are not drinking Starbucks’ sized coffee. Nor are we paying Starbucks’ prices for our coffee. I believe this one costs [euro]1.30. That is about $2.00. Not cheap, but not so bad, either.
Now let’s go further into town. Walk with me deeper into the city.
Here is one of the many “vicoli” (small alleyways, or passageways.
Let’s put our hands on the old stone wall, and imagine that we are putting our hands on the same walls that the ancient Romans touched, and possibly walls that the Etruscans built, centuries ago. There is life and there are many stories inside these old stones and bricks.
Now, imagine that you are with me, right now in the present, making gnocchi with Lilian in her cucina..using only the freshest potatoes, eggs and quality flour, dressing the gnocchi with cheeses from the neighboring farms…can you not just taste the goodness?
So, now I will leave you, with you tasting this superb gnocchi. I hope that you have been able to live with me, here in Montepulciano, at least for a moment or two, and that you will know why I love being here.
Won’t you join me someday soon for a longer visit? Mi piacere. (I would like that.)
Ciao for now,
Dolly
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