We wandered here and there again with little Leonardo. The countryside is amazing. Today a real highlight was finding Abbé Sant' Antimo where for fifteen beautiful minutes we listened to Gregorian chanting done by six French Benedictine monks. The abbey is very simple and rustic. For a long time in the Middle Ages it was on the pilgrimage path from France to Rome. Soon now, the monks will leave for good and return to France, their home base as there are no pilgrims to care for anymore. One of the sweet things about this afternoon's chanting was that quite a few of the monks' families and friends were in the chapel. After the chanting was done, several of the monks were hugged and kissed by people ranging in age from about 2 to very old. Outside, the skies were bathed in afternoon sun. Dark clouds were outlined and highlighted, white clouds glowed as if lit from within. The yellowing grapevines and vivid greens of grasses and cypress trees were dream like. Just lovely as we put our new Gregorian chant cd into Leonardo's player and cruised toward home.
Later on this evening, we walked to La Dolce Vita, a local wine tasting/retail store and really indulged ourselves. We tasted about 5 wines, then ordered a mixed case to be shipped to IL. It should arrive in 2 weeks. Pam ordered a burger because she read they were outstanding. Indeed! The closest thing to Burgess beef we've ever tasted. Lean Tuscan beef ground with 5% pork fat. Out of this world!
And there you have it. Tomorrow we'll give Leonardo back to his people in Florence, hop the train for Milan, and take off for home Tuesday morning at 10:00. Thanks to all of you for traveling with us.
Ciao,
Bonnie n Pam
Pam at the well...
Crazy baker in our town...gave everyone samples, even drivers of cars going by
Door dec in Montepulciano
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