It was really nice because after supper last night we actually got to watch my favourite movie in English which was just sort of a nice reminder of home, etc....and then we also decided to go to Rome tomorrow because it would be too much straight after each other. But this does have a down side because tomorrow is meant to be the hottest day so far so obviously isn't ideal for more touristy stuff but its the last option because on Thursdays the trains don't operate to Rome and on Friday I am meeting Sara's friends and we are having a picnic (i think) at the river and then on Saturday I move to the next family...
We slept later today which was nice but I hate waking up because you are almost stuck by the panic of being so hot and not knowing what to do besides stand under a cold shower...so we had breakfast and then then the three of us (Sara, her dad and I) went for another drive to visit more of the neighboring villages...this is really nice because it's not usually a side of Italy that most people get to see as
its not in Rome. I really enjoy driving here, partially because its a great escape from the heat with the windows and the air-con but it's also just beautiful everywhere you look...:) its funny though cause I usually don't like driving and its also weird because here, not having lived here, I have NO sense of direction and its funny driving on streets that you're unfamiliar with after something like Cape Town where i know like every road... :)
So we drove through a lot of small little towns and one thing I noticed is that they also have a lot of sunflowers! and I also saw a few fields just covered in red poppies, really pretty! The first town that we stopped at is called Casperio. It's really small and high up but if you face the trek up, it is such a stunning view which I could now capture cause I remembered my camera this time. Then we drove around some more and I cant remember the name of the village but we went to this ancient church called St Maria in Vescovio which was so beautiful. It was build ages ago in the 8th century! and below the altar there were catacombs but sadly we couldn't see them (don't know why there was a sign in Italian explaining it) but anyway, it was really cool. Massive paintings of the stations of the cross were painted on all the walls but most of it was faded and peeled away from weathering and aging and stuff but its was still so interesting to see something different...
So that was it for now so we are just chilling and will have lunch soon :) tomorrow we go into Rome, then Thursday we are maybe going to the public swimming pool :) Will probably write a little later too..
- Caity xx
Sounds like a lovely outing - we are jealous! Did you change to the blue background because of what I told you? That works much better...
ReplyDeleteI've only just figured out that your blog page background is the same little map copied everywhere! I though it was one big thing! Silly me. Please do write again later... Love
yes, I did change it for you dad :) I actually didnt intend for the map to be repeated so many times, I just put in the link and it came like this and I sort of just let it be...not wanting to fool around with settings, etc :) xx
DeleteOMG I can't believe how fantastic Casperia looks - cobbled streets and steep slopes...What fun this is Cait - so every time you refer to a place, I am madly googling that place and looking up the location - it's as exciting as planning a trip for oneself.... except it's in reverse and you get to see it! ha ha. SO my (major work-avoidance endeavor scruffling through internet pages planning a visit there) tells me Casperia is where the valley of Saint Francis of Assisi lies, with his four main hermitages set in the mountains, and is also famous for real pizza and a famous olive oil... Oh your poor mother and I should be there doing olive oil tasting and getting fat! I have been readng on a website that does yoga retreats to Casperia - definitely pin that to the to-do list!
ReplyDeleteso the Santa Maria church is built on the remains of an old Roman Town called Forum Novum. So architecturally for your mom: the elegant Romanesque belltower was probably constructed between the 10th and 11th century in brick, with reinforced angles with square blocks of stone.
The heat sounds like a TOTAL freakout! Lots of driving with aircon is definitely in order; and divine italian ice cream.
LOTS and LOTS of love to you. XXGeord
Yes, Casperia was stunning, beautiful little cobbled streets and old married couples wandering about, etc I know you guys would like it! Yoga retreat sounds amazing! Wow, thats really interesting, about St Fransis of Asisi! its times like that where having a tour guide would be useful....but still:)
Deletexx