The pleasure of a nice Grocery store.

Descend to Heaven? Or the road to salvation, downhill.

The only market in Alviano.

This is dated 1212!

Home.

        Today we found the best grocery store we’ve seen since leaving the US. Nothing like a huge Ralph’s in California, but a real Grocery none the less. It’s located in Orvieto about 30 minutes away, it is well worth the drive. Today we just scouted it, but will shop there next week. Most of the day we spent in Alviano, we meant a nice couple who live here 7 months a year in Alviano Scalo (Scalo always represents the place below the castle or outside it’s walls), this couple were English and unfortunately heading home tomorrow. They were shocked to be in Sepi Bar and hear someone else struggling with Italian, it seems we are somewhat of a rarity here, we spent about 45 minutes laughing and comparing notes. They have owned a house here for a number of years and offered lots of advise and suggestions. I was a little surprised when he said I should just drive down to Rome instead of taking the train, apparently there was a fire at one of the main Rome train stations and everything is a major  hassle now. Nancy and I discussed it and I’m ready to drive but she is still concerned...the debate will continue.

      Tomorrow we have decided to drive and visit Todi...this was a place mentioned to us by Don Chelemeados during our planning stage. Should be a nice drive and day.

     Three interesting things I noticed today...

     1) Orvieto had a population of 30,000 in the 13th century and only 23,000 now...at this rate they could be down to 16,000 in 700 short years! 

     2) Also, why are there almost no pickup trucks here...few SUV’s, but really almost zero trucks...funny how farming communities aren’t filled with huge ass trucks like our urban areas are...another mystery. 

     3) The bell tower gives a high pitched clang for the hours, and delivers the number of clangs for the corresponding time...then the hours clanging is followed by a low pitched clang for each 15 minutes...so at 9:45 you will hear 9 high pitched clangs followed by 3 low pitched ones...you really don’t need a watch here as long as your good with only knowing the time in 15 minute intervals.