Luggage out by 7:30 and then we went to breakfast. By 8:30 we were on the bus going to Orvieto while Giuseppe talked to us about Mussolini. According to him, Mussolini had 10 good years during which he standardized the Italian language, created cheap housing, and established health care. Buildings from this time are identified by their lack of decorations and balconies, which makes them quite different from the other stuff. Mussolini got in debt trying to conquer parts of Africa (Ethiopia) and he had to make deals with Germany which lead to disasters. I like Giuseppe but I think he has a rose-colored view of this. He also said that 80,000 us troops died in Italy campaign; he always speaks of the US with affection and respect. He told us that today is special day - it's the anniversary of the day that General Patton landed in Sicily.
Orvieto is a peaceful town, full of old buildings and birdsong. Throughout history several popes have stayed here; 1527 was the last time it happened. We walked through the town on our way to a wine-tasting. This really is a charming little town.
We stopped at an area with outdoors tables and sat down, and the restaurant owner served us two of his own wines - a red and a white. Giuseppe helped serve and told us that red wine grapes are planted on slopes for drainage. The roots go 6 feet down so the plants are OK even if there is not much rain. In fact, a rain shortage is good because "vineyards have to suffer to get the 22 percent sugar content".
We got some nice snacks to go along with the wine.
We learned that olives have to be processed with 24 hours.
Nearby was the amazing Cathedral of Orvieto. The front is as ornate as anything we've seen so far. But it's sides look like striped pajamas!
Doesn't matter, there is enough decoration in front to compensate
Another church has some of the most acrobatic dancing angels I've ever seen on the door. I guess if you're an angel, physics don't apply.
We had time for a little shopping. Randy bought some truffles topped with olive oil; the storekeeper said the oil will keep them fresh for 7 days after they are opened.
With just a little more time before we had to be back on the bus, we went to look over the wall. Since Orvieto is up on a hill, a wall supports everything.
Such a pretty view from here!
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