Il Giardino dei Tarrochi

Sovana photos 2

The Civility collage

Lawyer artwork

The procession

My new room; note the cut-out showing the old wall.

Wild cyclamen at the necropolis

Saturday in Sovana

Ok  I was wrong about the more expensive digs on the other side of town, but it  is  a much nicer room on this end of town, plus the heat works and there is an extra blanket.  Part of the wall is cut away to show the old, probably tufa wall—this is a really old place.  Sovana is a village of only 109 residents, but in Etruscan times the population exceeded 4000 and it was a major city.  It remained an important town through medieval times, but pretty much skipped the Renaissance; hence the architecture is still medieval.  There is a Duomo (cathedral) and a second church.  The place I’m staying is in between the two churches so there are bells on the hour and half hour, usually from both churches.

There are only 15-16 at this conference, but they are really bright caring people.  We’ve done some very interesting interactive things including creating a huge collage—I’ll post a picture after tomorrow when a group shot will be taken in the town square. 

Yesterday there was a procession for Saint Gregorio (I think).  The priests, lots of families and a band marched through the town carrying a near life-sized statue of the saint, but some relics from a hand—Saint Gregorio’s? 

Photos of Sovana

 Main street Sovana

 Fountain in the Piazza

 The clock tower

 Taverna Etruscan

 Inside the Duomo

Sorano (not Sovana)

Italy at last

It’s Friday and I’m in Sovana—possibly the cutest village I’ve ever seen.  Photos to follow.

After some difficulties connecting with the other participants in the Civility course, we had a lovely 2 hour drive through the Italian countryside past sheep (pecorino on the hoof), olive groves, buffalo (they resemble Brahmas more than bison), a lake which used to be a volcano, and small towns which have been around since before there were Romans. 

What an interesting assortment of people!  There are lawyers and judges of course, but also a massage therapist, a jeweler, and a former actress who appeared in spaghetti westerns in the 70s.  Most of the people are here because they are passionate about civility, justice and righting wrongs.  I can't believe that I'm here in Italy and collecting CLE credits; and such an interesting subject to boot.  But truthfully I would have signed up for almost any class in Italy on any subject matter other than tax. 

There was no room in the inn—no, really—so one other lady and I were sent off to rooms above the Etruscan Tavern.  She described the rooms as like cells in a convent.  I wouldn’t have minded the small size, but damn, it’s cold, the heat doesn’t work and there was only one blanket. So-o-o we’re both moving to more expensive digs at the other end of the town.  Luckily she is a judge and was quite assertive about this so I just hung on to her coattails.  I think I could get used to being a follower, hanger-on.

The first session starts in about 15 minutes.  More later.   Ciao Belli!

Me in Arizona

I'm feeling pretty darn good after talking to Becky!

An hour to go

Cheered up after talking to MF

photo of me at the airport

Me bored at the aitport

at the airport

So.  Here I am.  At the airport.  Plane doesn’t leave until almost 7 p.m.  2 hours from now.  I could have used those 2 hours at home doing stuff.  Part of the travel experience.  Part of the reason I don’t like travel.  I just like being other places.  The computer sez it’s 94 in GV;  I checked the forecast for Pitigiliano (closest town to Savano) and it should be 80s and 90s there.  I threw in an old swimsuit at the last minute figuring that I can toss it when I leave Italy. 

Maybe I should go somewhere and have a glass of wine.