The days of drizzle seemed to have passed and this morning marked the start of what promises to be a return to Spring and lovely days of Umbria. We're happy to still have time to enjoy it. And, a day to hang out the freshly laundered sheets. Without a dryer, it takes a very long time for clothes to achieve what you might call a state of "dryness", so this truly is a day to rejoice.
Not far from our apartment, located at a "bella terrazza panoramica" is the tiny church of Santa Margherita. Having completed all of our domestic duties in preparation for having lunch guests this afternoon, we went down for the 9:30 Mass (in Italian). A cappuccino at a local favorite spot and a hike back up to pick up a few groceries, complete with a vocabulary tune-up. I really find it hard to know where to hit the accent on an Italian word and if hit at the wrong place, the word is totally wrong and nobody understands anybody. So, "parsley" is "Pret-ZEE-mow-low" I learned. Not prezze-molo. I enjoy making errors because for me, it's a way to learn. The proprietor didn't have any in his "alimentari" anyway
The weekend started with a visit to the "Palazzo Dei Priori" on Friday evening. Inside, the Galleria Le Logge was the setting for the opening of a beautiful show entitled "Shine on Japan". The artist, Francesco Mazzi has done magnificent work using mixed metallics that, under the correct light angle, radiate or shine. Friday was the opening, the artist and his Japanese wife had time to spend with the guests and we toured each work of art with his expert guidance. He explained that he has lived in Japan for seventeen years and after showing pictures of his atelier, he presented us with a copy of his book. And, then, the Mayor came and it was her turn to get all of his attention. So much for us.
https://youtu.be/y2DyfWgfDh8
Last night, another show.....this time, the "Concerto Basilica Regia", a free and heart-stopping concert in the Upper Basilica of San Francesco, marking the anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica. Concerts here don't usually get underway until nine o'clock at the earliest, allowing people to have dinner before starting out. We had stopped in and made reservations days ahead, at a cozy trattoria which was on the way and, to our surprise, there actually was a table waiting for us...."Guiseppe!" We weren't sure the waiter had written it down but he had in fact and what followed was a very nice meal before the concert. It was Bach. The "Missa Soleminis" and "The Magnificat". And, it was very, very, very beautiful. I mean, knock your socks off gorgeous.
This is a photo of the Upper Basilica:
This is the Concerto Basilica Regia......
https://youtu.be/upKsIM6i8vI
What's next?
