Day 15

At the airport early and made it our mission to spend all of the remaining Euros in our pockets.  After we completed that mission we went to our gate.  While waiting we saw a water spout form off the sea, begin to move onto land and eventually retract into the storms cloud.   As I was pointing out my siting to Bill a honeymoon couple from Manhattan overheard me and sure enough the female in full New york style yells out "Oh my God!  A tornado!"  Luckily panic did not ensue.
When my jet lag subsides I will summarize the trip with the "Persons of Interest", "Favorite Foods", "Favorite Towns" etc.
Arrivederci!

Day 14

Today is our last adventure.  Having mixed feelings about returning to the grind but I am definitely a little tired of living out of a suitcase!  We arrived very early at the bike shop so we had lunch in an area of Rome that we have never explored.  You could call it Little China Town.  I was up for the adventure of a Chinese lunch but Bill was a little suspicious.  The bike tour leader's name was Manuelo and picture this, a cycling tour guide that roles his own cigarettes and chain smokes throughout the entire 40k ride. The tour took us along the Appian way and surrounding neighborhoods which included the Catacombs, ancient aqueducts, the ancient cobblestone road, a sheep farm that produced the cheese and bread that we sampled and a night ride around the forum and the colosseum.  Learned many facts about ancient Rome but also learned that Italians also have the "Got to go,  got to get there" mentality.  Apparently it is against the law to drive on the Appia Antica but to save 7 minutes of drive time many drivers drive the road.  Believe me it can not be good for the tires and suspension of the car never mind what it is doing to antiquity.  We had our final meal of red sauce pasta and Bill ended with his final cioccolato gelato.

Day 13

Last night we went to dinner at an Enoteca in Umbertide, the town where we stayed.  The owner provided wine suggestions for each course.  Had some amazing blended minestrone soup and Bill had eggplant lasagna. 

Traveled today to Rome with mixed feelings.  The countryside is so relaxing and Rome on the other had is anything but that.  Walked for at least 3 hours and did what is known as the Dolce Vita Stroll.  In other words we hit all the main tourist spots.  Bill proceeded to drink a half a liter of wine with his lamb and pasta while I just watched.  Cocktails on the terrace of our room and off to dinner we went.  The self- appointed marketing Director for the Osteria was named Massimo and he was a side-show worth the purchase of a ticket.   Let’s just say his flare was largely responsible for that night's full house.  So one more day to go and then it is back to the grind.  I feel extremely grateful to have this adventure.  I plan to summarize with my list of persons, places and foods of interests.

Day 12

Just when our day was going as planned a major monkey wrench appeared out of nowhere. We went to Gubbio and took a gondola up to the top of a hill for the best view of the city. Well when it was time to go back down we noticed that the gondola had stopped running. No the gondola was not broken! The operators decided to take an hour and 30 minute lunch break. Once again we hiked down a mountain but this time I was like the numb skulls in 5 Terre. Wrong shoes. My plan for the day was to wear shoes not appropriate for hiking because I was in need of a day of rest badly. Well I didn’t get my day of rest and now I have sore feet.

Day 11

Traveled to a regional park just outside of Assisi and hiked to the summit. It was the most difficult of all hikes that we have done. The black fly infestation was as difficult to contend with as the actual climb to the top. At one point I had at least 15 flies on my legs nipping away – most likely compliments of the copious deposits of horse dung at the top. On the way down we gave a lift to a hitch hiking Italian family. They overestimated the hiking ability of a 5 year old and needed rescuing. Next stop was Spello. Fantastico! Another hill town but like no other hill town I have ever been to. The pink stone from Assisi was utilized in the construction throughout the city. We had dinner with Mom’s family near where we are staying. The restaurant they selected was in a very small community and was authentic as it comes. Barley soup, truffle pasta, roasted chicken and potatoes. We were very sad to say goodbye to our Italian friends.

Day 10

Must say the home cooked meal was good but nothing in comparison to the 3 hour Italian Sunday dinner we experienced with Mom’s family.  Here is the menu:

Lunch 12p – 3p (not an exaggeration)

Items listed in order of presentation:

• -       Non-alcoholic Compari
• -       Umbrian Bruschetta
• -       Vino Rose Frizzante
• -       Lasagna con Fungi
• -       Insalata and Turkey Roulade
• -       Crème Amaretto
• -       Dessert Wine
• -       Caffe with your choice of liquor

Need I say more? Following dinner we toured a museum and then went to Lucca’s girlfriend’s country house. Well it turns out that this house was a convent and outside of the convent is a cave that St. Francis Asissi slept in on his famous pilgrimage through Italy. You have to see pictures to believe this. This was better than the museum. We had dinner at this site and learned that the house is haunted. The ghost’s name is Raymond and we heard all the tails of about Raymond’s haunts. Paolo (girlfriend of Lucca) was very serious talking about this. It was too much too process!

Day 9

Found a great trail to run along the Tiber except when a pack of dogs came charging at me.  Luckily Bill was walking and ran to rescue me.  Further down the trail were more fishermen that I could count.  I have to say that waters of the Tiber look almost stagnant.  After the run we had breakfast with not a single English speaking person.  A 90 year old was sitting next to me when I accidently shot a piece of breakfast across the floor.  She looked at me and smiled and winked  which sorta calmed the nerves.  Also went to the Sat market and purchased food for dinner.  I am cooking fresh tomato sauce tonight.  After the market we hiked up to a Monastery.  Once again straight up a mountain.  Well we decide to snoop around and a monk comes out and escorts us out of the restricted area.  After the Monastery experience something needed to be cleansed so instead of our souls we went to the “WaterLand” to do laundry.  It was like a scene out of “I Love Lucy”.  We had no idea what to do until the attendant came out and intervened.  If that wasn’t bad enough we walked down the street and somehow convinced a restaurant owner (non-English speaking, of course) to serve us lunch when the restaurant was closed.  They thought we were German so they brought us beer and sausage sandwiches.    What a day!  It makes me tired just writing about it.