Alviano mourning in the afternoon.

     We wanted a quiet day after our long day yesterday, so we decided to recharge the batteries and relax today. We went to Narni Scala to pick up groceries and then spent about 3 hours sitting at the town square. As we were sitting there enjoying the day all kinds of people, dressed in their finery, started showing up and just hanging around the square. Evidently one of the locals had died within the last couple days and we were there to witness a funeral. About 3 this afternoon the crowd grew to include, what looked like, almost the whole town. Everyone was there, dressed in black, waiting in the town square for the coffin (deceased) to arrive...when the hearse arrived they all walked in procession behind the coffin to the church, then about an hour and a half later came walking back down the hill from the church, again in procession, and followed the coffin all the way down to the cemetery (which is quite a ways from town). We aren’t sure who died but I believe it was an older woman with grown children, it was charming in the fact it looked so traditional, something they always do exactly the same. There were a couple policeman present, not for crowd control, but just because that’s how its done. As they came down from the church everyone not at the service, stood silently as the coffin made its way to the burial site. Very moving moment and not a bad way to be laid to rest. 

       Also...good news...It looks like our old friend Lucia is coming to Italy in about a week. For those of you who don’t know Lucia, she is the District Manager, San Francisco, for NaHoku Inc., and a friend of ours for of many years. She is originally from Northern Italy and is coming to visit family. In fact, Lucia is the one who set up our stay in Alviano. Alessio Girotti, who owns the flat we are in, is a friend of hers from way back. So...we had planned a trip up north to see Venice and her visit is the perfect opportunity. We will meet her in Bologna for lunch and then drive on to Venice. My handy computer tells me its 3 hours to Bologna and then an additional 1 1/2 hours to Venice. It will be nice seeing someone from home. We found a decent place to stay, but if anyone out there has a suggestion I’m all ears. I basically threw a dart at my computer and came up with Le Boulevard Hotel. Good reviews and price, as well as a good location. Tomorrow, October 12, is our 41st anniversary and this trip will be our gift to each other...what’s more romantic than Venice.

The bell tolled for the deceased.

The church was filled with mourners.

       We spent most of today talking about yesterday...Rome was just awesome...the list of things to do is huge and we are already planning at least 2,3 or 4 more days there. I’m sure the Vatican alone will take 2 days just to see the big stuff...and think of the people watching, it should be world class. Some of the pictures I took were amazing, and It’ll be fun in future years to look back and remember yesterday. After all that’s what this trip is about, collecting memories.