It is so much fun arriving in Rome, Italy—when my adrenalin is just about on empty from the long plane ride, there is always a bustling café where I can refuel with an authentic and aromatic cappuccino. Popcorn is quite familiar with the routine—finally freed from her pet carrier bag, she is rewarded for her good behavior by sharing a freshly baked cornetto (croissant) with me. We then head to the autostrada and begin our two hour trek to Umbria. About an hour into the ride, my bleary eyes start to awaken as I watch the landscape take shape to remind me that I am almost home. Blue mountains bloom in the distance, and rolling hills with the textures of olive groves and vineyards and medieval towns replace the flat farmland that I saw as the plane descended into Rome.
It isn’t until I exit the autostrada, though, that it fully registers where I have taken us. Shifting gears along the winding road, my jet-lagged brain finally begins to shift gears as well. The cypress trees and steep hills bring me back to a memory of sitting at the café in our small town, and an elderly man talking to us about how beautiful Umbria is. “Ah, Umbria é bella” (Umbria is beautiful) he says, with a passion to rival that of Pavorotti. And then he half-heartedly added “anche Toscana” (also Tuscany) with an expression as if not to offend the many tourists that flock to Tuscany every year.
Umbria. The Green Heart of Italy. The Cradle of the Renaissance. Is it fair that one small corner of the world can harbor such riches? A place where dogs hunt in autumn to discover a hidden gem, the white truffle, the white gold of the gourmet world. Where archeologists still hunt for remains of the first civilization in Italy, and where artists long ago studied and painted and created the foundation of the great Renaissance.
Umbria. The green landlocked heart of Italy, where mountains rise to provide the perfect backdrop for medieval towns and where the serene Lago Trasimeno supplies the ideal salve for any racing mind. Who would not agree with my friend at at the café, yes-- Umbria é bella!
Umbria è bella ... and I miss her dearly! Thank you for so painting a vivid picture in my mind, Diane! I was taking a deep breath right along with you as you exited the autostrada for the winding road into green Umbria. Bellissima!
Posted by: PamelaHaack | August 21, 2011 at 12:06 PM
I will recommend not to wait until you get big sum of cash to order goods! You should just get the loans or just student loan and feel yourself free
Posted by: LavonneClemons | December 22, 2011 at 08:33 AM