I have been meaning to post a link to this article for a while, for the benefit of our American friends.
http://www.iltamtam.it/2015/04/25/il-grechetto-dellistituto-agrario-e-il-migliore-ditalia/
You know by now that high schools in Italy have a career focus. Todi hosts one of the oldest and most famous agricultural high schools in the nation, Istituto technico agrario Ciuffelli. It has been a state school for over 150 years and is housed in a former monastery that dates from the 1200's.
The article announces that the school has won first place in the nation for its grechetto, a white wine from this region. It was in competition with wines from all of the other institutes of agriculture or wine in the nation at the annual "Bacchus and Minerva" competition.
Michael
Update: I was talking to a friend about it and he asked whether I had ever bought any of the school wine. No, I hadn't, and of course I had to ask where one would do so. Duh: you buy it at the cantina at the school.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Half Marathon Haul
Yesterday I ran a half marathon in Città di Castello, which is about an hour's drive from Todi. It is a walled city in a valley, and pretty cute within those walls.Unfortunately much of the run was in the industrial zone north of the city and therefore pretty ugly.
The entry fee was only 12 Euros, though, and the race was well organized. There were people stopping traffic at every intersection and water stations every 3-4 km.
I needed those water stops: it was a warm, sunny day and I tend to cook when I run. One of my running partners from Todi complained about the breeze, but I reveled in it. I hadn't run farther than 12 km for several months because I've been recovering from injuries, so I took my time and ended up finishing strong. I was 91st out of 289 finishers and 19th in my age group.
No t-shirt, but in addition to the race itself the race fee got me a finisher's medal and a race packet that included:
The entry fee was only 12 Euros, though, and the race was well organized. There were people stopping traffic at every intersection and water stations every 3-4 km.
I needed those water stops: it was a warm, sunny day and I tend to cook when I run. One of my running partners from Todi complained about the breeze, but I reveled in it. I hadn't run farther than 12 km for several months because I've been recovering from injuries, so I took my time and ended up finishing strong. I was 91st out of 289 finishers and 19th in my age group.
No t-shirt, but in addition to the race itself the race fee got me a finisher's medal and a race packet that included:
- A bottle of water,
- A bottle of sports drink,
- A croissant,
- A tiny bag of gummy bears,
- A box of "active adult dietary supplements",
- A sample packet of hair conditioner,
- A can of hair spray (!),
- A small rabbit refrigerator magnet,
- Half a kilo of pasta, and
- Two bottles of wine.
Michael
Friday, May 8, 2015
Life's Little Complications
I just got a new starter put on the car. As in, I picked up the car yesterday afternoon.
Today, my sweet baby started sputtering after several errands. We were rather far afield from Todi this morning, and as we cruised up the hill to the Porta Romana (one of the entry gates, okay walking distance home), it DIED! I was rather stuck in traffic. BUT: where the car died just happened to be across the intersection (and up a slight rise) from the mechanic's. AND as I was looking in my rearview mirror, out came Claudio, the senior mechanic!
I waved my hand through the sunroof, he came jogging up, he stopped traffic so I could roll backwards and park. No problem.
Just then, along came Michael's running buddy. He asked what was up, I explained, and he said, "Hey, I have to go up to the piazza anyway. I'll give you a lift. It's just about time for the kids to be home and you don't want to be late." He was right. It was. We didn't. We said "Thank you very much!" and hopped in.
Love,
Alexandra
p.s. Claudio called me right after the pausa. Spark plug issues. All fixed.
Today, my sweet baby started sputtering after several errands. We were rather far afield from Todi this morning, and as we cruised up the hill to the Porta Romana (one of the entry gates, okay walking distance home), it DIED! I was rather stuck in traffic. BUT: where the car died just happened to be across the intersection (and up a slight rise) from the mechanic's. AND as I was looking in my rearview mirror, out came Claudio, the senior mechanic!
I waved my hand through the sunroof, he came jogging up, he stopped traffic so I could roll backwards and park. No problem.
Just then, along came Michael's running buddy. He asked what was up, I explained, and he said, "Hey, I have to go up to the piazza anyway. I'll give you a lift. It's just about time for the kids to be home and you don't want to be late." He was right. It was. We didn't. We said "Thank you very much!" and hopped in.
Love,
Alexandra
p.s. Claudio called me right after the pausa. Spark plug issues. All fixed.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Field trip
I take it back about swim meets being the most interesting things I do… Today I went on a field trip to Perugia. I got to see some of the coolest stuff. For example, seismographs, the world's oldest (according to the tour guide) organ, paintings by Raphael and Caravaggio, manuscripts, miracles and much more, all in one stop- a monastery/university. I had a most wonderful trip.
We went to where the seismographs were invented, and we got to see a replica of the first one, two later editions, and finally we got to play with the current one. It was really cool to see the current one, the tour guide showed us how to set off the alarm for an earthquake- basically a bell that tells you to pay attention to the graph, and he also showed how you can cause waves in the graph by jumping up and down nearby. The graphs are really neat, because they are drawn by hot wires on heat sensitive paper. We also got to see the graphs for the recent earthquake in Nepal and of one that caused a tsunami a while back.
After that we got to see a medieval herb garden, which was pretty cool, but not that unexpected, given that this particular university focuses on agriculture. Then, after a short break, we got to see the church (San Pietro in Perugia, if you're wondering). It was really more of a three-layered church, the oldest ruins dating back to apostolic times (they believe that Saint Peter the apostle visited the community of local christians there). Unfortunately the ruins are inaccessible. Then, on top of those ruins was built a paleochristian church, which we are dating based on the red frescos- a red found in Pompeii and in Saint Peter's tomb in Rome. Off to one side, you could briefly see some pottery that had been found there, but it wasn't part of the tour, so I didn't get a good look. We proceeded to traipse into the choir area (presbytery might be the word for it). It was all done in the finest inlay I have ever seen; it was like drawings with wood. The inlay was done by two brothers- one did the doors in the back leading onto a balcony with one of the farthest views (the doors were then copied in Rome), the other did all the rest. It was back there that we got to see the world's oldest organ (it outdates another organ by only ten years), and we also got to hear it played. Incredible. Of course the church was also made for acoustics, so that didn't hurt anything. Then we got to see a small painting by Raphael and two of the same size by Caravaggio, which were hung in the corners of the vestry. Then the priest told us about a miracle that happened there and we got to see the evidence of it! While building the third church, one of the pillars started falling (a big, fat, heavy, granite pillar) and there were two workers in its path. Saint Peter of (I don't remember where) did a sign of the cross and the pillar stopped falling, put itself back up (but not on centre). There is a fresco on the pillar of Saint Peter of somewhere and the story. That in and of itself isn't all that much evidence, especially as the fresco was put up later, but underneath that fresco is an older fresco (which can sort of be made out with ultraviolet light) showing the same event; besides this, that pillar is the only one that has a capital from the time the church was being built (10th century); all the others were swiped from a pagan temple along with the pillars.
When, at the end of the tour I asked about the manuscripts that our guide had mentioned earlier, one of the teachers went to find somebody who had a key. He had lost the key. But we were told that they were back there (with a wave of the hand) and we could look through the glass door while he looked for the key. No luck. I looked longingly through the glass doors, and then finally left.
About ten minutes later, Don Riccardo came up to me and told me the guy had found the key. I was so glad he had! The manuscripts had some of the most detailed miniatures I have ever seen. In one, which couldn't have been much over 2"X1.5", you could clearly see the folds in the monks' robes. Amazing.
But then we had to go home.
Ciao,
Florence
We went to where the seismographs were invented, and we got to see a replica of the first one, two later editions, and finally we got to play with the current one. It was really cool to see the current one, the tour guide showed us how to set off the alarm for an earthquake- basically a bell that tells you to pay attention to the graph, and he also showed how you can cause waves in the graph by jumping up and down nearby. The graphs are really neat, because they are drawn by hot wires on heat sensitive paper. We also got to see the graphs for the recent earthquake in Nepal and of one that caused a tsunami a while back.
After that we got to see a medieval herb garden, which was pretty cool, but not that unexpected, given that this particular university focuses on agriculture. Then, after a short break, we got to see the church (San Pietro in Perugia, if you're wondering). It was really more of a three-layered church, the oldest ruins dating back to apostolic times (they believe that Saint Peter the apostle visited the community of local christians there). Unfortunately the ruins are inaccessible. Then, on top of those ruins was built a paleochristian church, which we are dating based on the red frescos- a red found in Pompeii and in Saint Peter's tomb in Rome. Off to one side, you could briefly see some pottery that had been found there, but it wasn't part of the tour, so I didn't get a good look. We proceeded to traipse into the choir area (presbytery might be the word for it). It was all done in the finest inlay I have ever seen; it was like drawings with wood. The inlay was done by two brothers- one did the doors in the back leading onto a balcony with one of the farthest views (the doors were then copied in Rome), the other did all the rest. It was back there that we got to see the world's oldest organ (it outdates another organ by only ten years), and we also got to hear it played. Incredible. Of course the church was also made for acoustics, so that didn't hurt anything. Then we got to see a small painting by Raphael and two of the same size by Caravaggio, which were hung in the corners of the vestry. Then the priest told us about a miracle that happened there and we got to see the evidence of it! While building the third church, one of the pillars started falling (a big, fat, heavy, granite pillar) and there were two workers in its path. Saint Peter of (I don't remember where) did a sign of the cross and the pillar stopped falling, put itself back up (but not on centre). There is a fresco on the pillar of Saint Peter of somewhere and the story. That in and of itself isn't all that much evidence, especially as the fresco was put up later, but underneath that fresco is an older fresco (which can sort of be made out with ultraviolet light) showing the same event; besides this, that pillar is the only one that has a capital from the time the church was being built (10th century); all the others were swiped from a pagan temple along with the pillars.
When, at the end of the tour I asked about the manuscripts that our guide had mentioned earlier, one of the teachers went to find somebody who had a key. He had lost the key. But we were told that they were back there (with a wave of the hand) and we could look through the glass door while he looked for the key. No luck. I looked longingly through the glass doors, and then finally left.
About ten minutes later, Don Riccardo came up to me and told me the guy had found the key. I was so glad he had! The manuscripts had some of the most detailed miniatures I have ever seen. In one, which couldn't have been much over 2"X1.5", you could clearly see the folds in the monks' robes. Amazing.
But then we had to go home.
Ciao,
Florence
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Barrage of gare
I know that 90% of my blogposts are about my competitions; but they seem to be the most interesting thing I do. This particular meet was a free/fly meet. And it was awesome! I ended up doing freestyle and butterfly (I could have done the IM instead), and of course I was on the relay team.
Mummy, Daddy and I set off for Perugia at 9:00, so that we would have plenty of time to get lost and find our way again before the warmups at 10:45. We got to the pool without losing ourselves even once!
After nearly 40 minutes of worrying about swimming all by myself, everyone else on my team showed up and warmup drowning began. Our team, as one of the larger teams, had two warm up lanes. It wasn't enough.
Then they started the meet with fly, which I did rather well. It may not have been my best fly, but it was by no means my worst. My freestyle on the other hand was rotten. I didn't even come in third. The relay was a very close call… I think that the only difference in our timing was the time it took for the timers to react; the two teams couldn't have been more than a couple of milliseconds apart.
Ciao,
Florence
Mummy, Daddy and I set off for Perugia at 9:00, so that we would have plenty of time to get lost and find our way again before the warmups at 10:45. We got to the pool without losing ourselves even once!
After nearly 40 minutes of worrying about swimming all by myself, everyone else on my team showed up and warmup drowning began. Our team, as one of the larger teams, had two warm up lanes. It wasn't enough.
Then they started the meet with fly, which I did rather well. It may not have been my best fly, but it was by no means my worst. My freestyle on the other hand was rotten. I didn't even come in third. The relay was a very close call… I think that the only difference in our timing was the time it took for the timers to react; the two teams couldn't have been more than a couple of milliseconds apart.
Ciao,
Florence
The Only Thing Cuter Than a Fiat 500...
...is a huge group of them!
Today, James and I went to a Fiat 500 rally at Lake Bolsena. This is about the only thing I'll voluntarily wake up early to do...and we were required to be at the first meeting point at 7:30! We were actually the first there...at 7:15...and hung around looking at the closed bar.
At about 7:30, the barman showed up. All of a sudden, there was a swarm of about eight Fiat 500s and their drivers/passengers. Everyone lined up for their coffee and (generally) pastry. Hold onto your belts, because this is a group that believes in eating!
When all were satisfied (for the moment), it was time to move on. Going through glorious countryside, by the side of a lake, we curvetted
up to the next meeting point (just outside Orvieto). After coffee, pastries (for some) and other sustenance, we had accumulated about 30 cars. Time to move on; Bolsena awaits us!
We arrived in Bolsena with much fanfare, scattering shoppers at the antiques fair like startled hens. It was rather fun, actually. Arriving in the parking lot and registering, we were then issued our breakfast ticket (who knew?) and trundled off to our third bar of the day for coffee and pastries, plus juice! For free! As in, included in the registration price. I'll get to that later.
There were at least 130 cars. The highest number registrant I saw was 130, but there may have been more. Understand, supposedly the number of cars was capped at 100. As if.
We managed to get underway only 45 minutes late (during which time, all the drivers hung out and swapped stories about which maintenance or additional work was expected in the near future), and drove to some nearby Roman remains. Very similar to Carsulae, these remains included a basilica, forum, house with subterranean rooms (lovely and cool for the summer), and a frescoed area that was quite intact.
Enough of remains! Time for some nibbles. Enjoying the lovely scenery, everyone got to business, reducing several tables' worth of pizza, chips, bacon bread, olive bread, and more to mere crumbs. James and I tucked in, because we were NOT staying for the lunch (which was expected to last around three hours).
When we had had our fill, James and I said our goodbyes, and went to the Rocca (fortress) of Bolsena. A little jewel of a castle, it now houses a very small aquarium, Etruscan wares, and Roman wares. Besides which, you are allowed up on the battlements! Bliss!
We also visited the church...quite charming. The interior is stucco painted to look like stone blocks, with a beautiful frieze. The paintings were modern, and done in rather lurid colors, so were somewhat less charming for my taste.
Time to go! We drove home via Bagnoregio. The town was closed to traffic, and we didn't want to spend the amount of time it would have taken to park all the way on the far side of town to get to Cività . However, we were able to get a lovely view of it from a nearby town (Lubiano, I think).
Off home via Civitella del Lago (high up on a promontory with a lovely view) and Fiore.
And now it's time for Mass!
Love,
Alexandra
p.s. A note of expenditures: Cost of registration 15 euros. Included:
Escorted rally/excursion
Breakfast for two (value about 4-5 euros depending on bar)
Entrance to Roman ruins (usually 5 euros a head)
Heavy snacks for 2 (call it 4-5 euros a head because drinks, pizza, snacks, and dessert were included, all you could eat)
Goodie bag with about 5 euros' worth of food inside
Today, James and I went to a Fiat 500 rally at Lake Bolsena. This is about the only thing I'll voluntarily wake up early to do...and we were required to be at the first meeting point at 7:30! We were actually the first there...at 7:15...and hung around looking at the closed bar.
 |
| Station wagon, for those who want more space |
At about 7:30, the barman showed up. All of a sudden, there was a swarm of about eight Fiat 500s and their drivers/passengers. Everyone lined up for their coffee and (generally) pastry. Hold onto your belts, because this is a group that believes in eating! |
| Only 50 of these were made; 30 remain. |
up to the next meeting point (just outside Orvieto). After coffee, pastries (for some) and other sustenance, we had accumulated about 30 cars. Time to move on; Bolsena awaits us!
 |
| There were six rows FULL of Fiat 500s! |
There were at least 130 cars. The highest number registrant I saw was 130, but there may have been more. Understand, supposedly the number of cars was capped at 100. As if.
 |
| Remains of the Day |
Enough of remains! Time for some nibbles. Enjoying the lovely scenery, everyone got to business, reducing several tables' worth of pizza, chips, bacon bread, olive bread, and more to mere crumbs. James and I tucked in, because we were NOT staying for the lunch (which was expected to last around three hours). |
| View from the castle battlements! |
We also visited the church...quite charming. The interior is stucco painted to look like stone blocks, with a beautiful frieze. The paintings were modern, and done in rather lurid colors, so were somewhat less charming for my taste.
 |
| View of Bagnoregio from Lubiano |
Time to go! We drove home via Bagnoregio. The town was closed to traffic, and we didn't want to spend the amount of time it would have taken to park all the way on the far side of town to get to Cività . However, we were able to get a lovely view of it from a nearby town (Lubiano, I think).
Off home via Civitella del Lago (high up on a promontory with a lovely view) and Fiore.
 |
| Contents of the goodie bag, called "gadget" |
Love,
Alexandra
p.s. A note of expenditures: Cost of registration 15 euros. Included:
Escorted rally/excursion
Breakfast for two (value about 4-5 euros depending on bar)
Entrance to Roman ruins (usually 5 euros a head)
Heavy snacks for 2 (call it 4-5 euros a head because drinks, pizza, snacks, and dessert were included, all you could eat)
Goodie bag with about 5 euros' worth of food inside
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