Corpus Domini v. 2018

I was delighted to find out that Corpus Domini fell during Grace's visit. Grace is a long-term friend of Eleanor's who has visited us here before. Finding herself with some extra time in Europe, she decided to pay us a visit, and we're so happy to see her!

Given the choices of the Medieval procession in Orvieto or the Fiorata in Spello, Grace chose the Fiorata. Accordingly, Michael, Grace, and I set off around 7:30 this morning after the obligatory coffee and breakfast at Pianegiani.

We arrived in time to park in the municipal parking lot (a field converted for the purpose), which wasn't nearly as far away as we've been on our first trip to the Fiorata. A short walk brought us to the first exhibits, and things just got better from there! It was perfect timing, because they were (mostly!) finished with the decorations, but the crowds weren't bad yet and we had plenty of time to roam the town and really enjoy everything.

Last-minute finishing touches!

The key for which flowers give which colors

Moses in the bulrushes, but upside-down

I liked the dress on the left

 

The amount of detail here was mind-blowing

This was a high-school entry

This was under-14s

 

I liked the use of larger items; Michael was less of a fan

The ladybugs' eyes looked human, with the white and a blue iris!

More under-14s

The green-on-green was very effective

I loved the way they incorporated the fountain's pedestal

After about 6 km of strolling, we had seen everything. Time to head back to the car! Of course, it was impossible to pass the woman selling cherries she'd picked that morning without getting at least a few. Oh! And my lovely basket maker was there, so I stopped by to say hello!

We drove through the lovely countryside to get to Montefalco for lunch at L'Alchimista, one of our favorite spots outside of Todi. Patrizia was her lovely self, and greeted us with her usual enthusiasm, asking after all of the kids! A leisurely (and delicious!) repast in their outdoor (thankfully, shaded) space was a welcome respite from the crowds of Spello.

The call of home eventually got loud, so we decided to get moving. The drive was through more lovely countryside, and brought us to Todi about an hour and a half before the afternoon Corpus Domini Mass. This meant feet up, a bit of quiet, and checking in with the offspring 

who had remained at home.

Back out! The committee dealing with Todi's celebration did a really nice job on the decorations this year. Obviously nowhere close to Spello's level of detail, it was nonetheless very pretty. 

 

Pizza for dinner (thank you, Massimo!), then hanging out listening to live jazz on the steps of San Fortunato. The LOOP group (which I think I understood correctly has changed its name to Edicola 21) is providing live music and then later deejay music three days every weekend. Florence and Ashley are admittedly not fans, because it can get rather loud in their bedroom. However, the venue is fantastic! They have cushions for lounging comfort and little tables with staggered legs that work well with the step height. 

And now? Bed!

Love,

Alexandra