Ninth week in Italy
As the access to the Internet has been limited as well as the amount of our free time, we haven’t been able to update the blog in what seems like eternity. We’re still alive, though, and we’ll update a few weeks at time.
On Tuesday we picked up Noora’s parents from Foiano della Chiana and after work we had planned to go eat in Mengrello, a local restaurant, but as we discovered it was closed we first went to Gelateria Fiordilatte (our favorite place; the nice lady recognizes us and we don’t know if that’s a good thing or not) and then to Il Tempio for a pizza.
Next morning we had breakfast together before we had to go to work to lay a breakfast for our guests. We only worked half day as Marta had given us the rest of the day of for a day-trip to Siena. Noora’s parents had rented a car and first we went to Monte San Savino for yet another ice cream at Gelateria di Carlo. As soon as we got out of the car it started pouring rain and we all got soaking wet. At least the gelato was good. From Monte San Savino we continued to Siena driving curvy little mountain roads through – surprise, surprise – coniferous forests. In Siena we visited Basil of Saint Francesco, Piazza del Campo and lots of shops. For the evening we had made a reservation for Osteria La Lodola, where we had cold cucumber soup with yoghurt and salmon for antipasti and raw-cooked veal with parmesan for the main course. On the next table there was group of Italians of which some had married Danish and some Norwegians. They started a conversation with us and poured us white and red wines and they would surely have kept going for hours if we hadn’t politely excused ourselves.
On Thursday we also had breakfast together and we got some souvenirs from Finland – rye bread, salmiac and other treats. For a change we provided the food for them and served potatoes and brown sauce and afterwards gave them a quick tour at the winery before their departure back to Pesaro. In the evening we had a dinner for 22 people – Marta’s parents had invited some family and friends over. The food was delicious as always and Marta’s mom had made beautiful flower arrangements.
On Saturday after work we went to Monte San Savino medieval fest – by the time we got there there was only some little boutiques selling beer and snacks and some artists demonstrating traditional handicrafts. After Monte San Savino we headed to Foiano della Chiana, where a nocturnal Carnival took place – lots of people, loud music, dancing and huge carriages. Altogether a good night. On Sunday we thought of sunbathing but instead we decided to go to Valdichiana Outlet Village once again – or as it turned out, twice. We had to return in the evening to buy new jogging shoes for Noora and to test them right away when we got home.
