Another Visitor, More Excuses to Travel and Drink Vino

Visitors are great! It's always nice to have a reminder of home. But, it also means you get to eat, drink, travel, and be merry. This was such a lighthearted, warm, friendly, loving visit. Not only did Terry (my mother-in-law for those who don't know) come, but her husband Charlie came this time, as well. It was so nice having the two of them here. They are absolutely precious. They found each other later in life, but they were most definitely "meant to be." Charlie went outside his comfort box many times on this trip. He doesn't like the taste of anything with alcohol in it, with the exception of a strawberry margarita...thanks to me, making him try it one time in the past. ;) But, boy, was he a TROOPER!!! He tried so many different wines and even REQUESTED to drink wine at supper on some nights. On the other nights, he just wanted his "dew" (mountain dew). He even went home with some wine that he LOVED. He called it grape juice, but I promise you...Marzemino is definitely not grape juice. We had a lot of adventures during their time here... lets begin...

I'm pretty sure the biggest adventure for them was the trip over here. It is such a long plane ride, but well worth it in the end (I'm sure) to see us. They even brought Thomas some brisket, tamales, and deer sausage. Yes... it was still frozen when they got here. Let's just say, our freezer is completely full. So, if I ever want something other than those above 3 foods I have to buy it the day of.

We did a lot of local things with them while they were here. Of course, in Italy, anything local is fantastic. I mean, come on, let's face it..it's Italy. It is amazing, no matter where you go. Period. If you don't think so, then you are just plain strange. We took them up to Monte Berico in Vicenza. There is a beautiful church that is surrounded by an amazing view of the city of Vicenza. Apparently, Monte Berico is known for being the site where a peasant man named Vicenza Pasini saw the Virgin Mary on this hill in 1426. At that time a plague had been going on for years and the Virgin Mary promised them if they built a church up on the hill she would get rid of the plague.The people had the church built in 3 months.

I was filled with excitement for our next event. I organized a wine tasting and carriage ride through an amazing vineyard that is close by, Le Pignole. These people are so welcoming and provided us with the best wines and foods. It was so nice to have some of my closest friends there with my family. It was also wonderful to finally have the boys at something too. The carriage ride through the vineyard was so surreal. How many times in your life do you get to experience something like this? Living here can feel so normal at times and then other times it's like living in a fairy tale.

  Our first big trip was to the town of Imperia along the Italian Riviera. We went some other close friends of ours. On this adventure, we got to eat some good food, drink some good wine...wait a minute...we get to do that on every trip. ;) We met some more interesting and friendly people on this trip. We even had a random man come up to the boys thanking them for their service. He found out they were in the military and immediately wanted to talk to all of us. He got stranded at sea and the U.S. military saved him. He was so thankful and appreciative. The girls did a day of browsing the shops while the boys boarded a boat out to sea for a fishing trip. Unfortunately, they got a few bites, but never caught anything. That night we had a beautiful meal and ended the night with listening to music from the piano by candlelight.

 After our trip to Imperia, we took a couple rest days and then we went for a day trip to Venice, Murano Island, and Burano Island. Most people know that Murano Island is known for glass making, but what you may not know is that Burano Island is known for lace and bright colored houses. While in Murano, we got to see a man blow glass. Its amazing that something that movable becomes a hard glass. It looked like he was blowing a bubble at first.

After Murano, we boarded the water taxi and headed to Burano Island. As you walk up the main path you immediately see the bright colored houses. They are stunning! I would love to live in one of them. The streets are lined with lots and lots of lace...lace dresses, lace scarves, lace umbrellas, etc. etc. etc. Then we found this little art place with some amazing, bright colored paintings of the town. So, naturally we bought one. It's big and very bright, but that's what the town is like...very bright. The man who sold the painting is actually the artist. He explained to us that the houses in Burano were different, bright colors because each family has it's own color. So, the color represents the family. How neat is that? I wonder what my color would be...

 Marostica is a province of Vicenza and is known for local cherries and a live chess game. Every other even number year, in September, the whole town puts on this festival that includes a live chess tournament. I went last September and it was a spectacular event. Here is a quick history lesson, compliments of Wikipedia, about how this event came to be...

 "After the First World War, members of the local chess club began playing chess in the main square and decided to play a game of chess using people as the gamepieces. After the Second World War, the comedy writer Vucetich Mirko authored a play in which "Two noblemen, Renaldo D'Anganaro and Vieri da Vallanora, fell in love with the beautiful Lionora, daughter of the local lord, Taddeo Parisio. As was the custom at that time, they challenged each other to a duel to win the hand of Lionora. The Lord of Marostica, not wanting to make an enemy of either suitor or lose them in a duel, forbade the encounter. Instead he decreed that the two rivals would play a chess game, and the winner would have the hand of Lionora. The loser of the chess game would also join the family, through marrying her younger sister, Oldrada. During the play the game takes place on the square in front of the Lower Castle with supporters carrying the noble ensigns of Whites and Blacks, in the presence of the Lord, his noble daughter, the Lords of Angarano and Vallonara, the court and the entire town population. The Lord also decides the challenge would be honoured by an exhibition of armed men, foot-soldiers and knights, with fireworks and dances and music". Needless to say, this literary account has nothing to do with factual history and the chess square in the city was built after the Second World War and after the writing of Vucetich's play. This fictional story is now re-enacted in the main square of Marostica every second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of September of even-numbered years. The orders are still given to the cast today in the local Language (Venetian) of the "Most Serene Republic of Venice".

Marostica is so close that it is always a must-see when people come to visit. After a hike, you get to see the city from a different perspective. It's another breathtaking view. After our hike, we had lunch down in town. All of the food was amazing!! I loved my asparagus risotto. Asparagus is in season here now and it is fantastic!!!

Our next trip was to Vidiciatico and Florence. If you have read some of my previous posts, looked at my pictures, or talked to me, you know that Vidiciatico is where Thomas' Poppoing fought during WWII where he helped liberate the Italians from Germany. The town of Vidiciatico, as well as, the surrounding towns have so many American flags hung and 10th Mountain memorials. They are all so thankful for America. We found a hotel in the center of town that served us massive amounts of delicious, homemade pasta. The owner, in true Vidiciatico fashion, was very hospitable. We took the hike up Monte Belvedere. This is where Thomas' Poppoing executed a mission during WWII. For his family, it is a special journey up to the top. We basically were walking where he once walked. Thomas and his mom told us stories that Poppoing had told them while on this same hike back in 2000. After a day in Vidiciatico, we drove to Florence for the day. We did all the traditional Florence things with them. Terry and Charlie were troopers climbing the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo. Their efforts were well worth it when they saw the view up top. After a full day in Florence, we headed back to Vicenza.

The next day was their last day here. It was spent packing and buying wine. We left the house at 430 a.m. the next morning to drop them off at the airport. It was a great trip and we were happy to have them here.

Suddenly, block leave was over...Thomas is back at work now and it's time for us to get back to a normal routine.