OMG I look like my Passport Picture!!!!

This is how the day started…..as I was dressing in our room, Susan was in the bathroom…and all of a sudden I hear….“Oh my gosh I look like my passport picture”….needless to say, I cracked up…she was looking in the mirror at her still tired eyes!!! We didn’t get into bed until around 11p as we decided to take advantage of doing some self-laundry in the hotel and had to be up at 8a to get back to the airport to meet Spartico (our 45 yr old good looking guide, as we had been told) and head to Soriano. So we were still a bit short on sleep….but we got up and got moving.

Mom…you’d be proud of me….necessity is the mother of invention….I wanted to have a banana with peanut butter, but I didn’t have a spoon or knife. Well, ice tongs CAN make-shift as a knife if you need them too…so just in case anyone gets stuck with that same problem…there ya have it, problem solved!!!

We head downstairs and make the 915a shuttle back to the airport. Went directly to the meeting spot and OH YEAH…..to heck with Greek Gods, we are all about Italian ones…..wow ladies, these men are nice. We actually noticed this yesterday….but today I think we became relaxed enough to take in ALL the scenery. Immediately he got us water and tea….let the real vacation begin!!! Soon we were joined by Sue, Jan and Jan’s daughter Brooke from Chicago….they will be loads of fun. Next came Tamera and husband Paul and then a single woman Judy. That was it for the airport pick-up so off we went to our shuttle bus where Sergio our driver was waiting. The drive was about 1.5hrs and once we got out of the city it was a lovely country drive.

Soriano from a distance with the castle on top....just gorgeous.

As we pulled into the town of Soriano it was like we had been picked up and put down in a Dicken’s Village. It is amazing!!!! Deb, Shea you two would be picture taking fools…..this place is even making me get into photos….it’s just wonderful. Cobble stone streets everywhere, alley ways, TONS of steps and quaint shops and friendly people. We both feel so safe and comfortable.

The Gateway into the Soriano.....

The city was still decorated from The Chestnut Festival that had just happened.

The bus stopped beside the sidewalk and unloaded us quickly. The streets are narrow and the drivers are crazy. Waiting for us was Carla, Rocky, Ian and Rita they helped us all to find our apartments for the week. Susan and I will be walking off our desserts…..we are up some good hills and steps. Yep Mom, walking the driveway is paying off…yahoo!!! The castle looms above us and is just gorgeous.

Waiting for us was a bottle of wine, a plate of fresh fruit, sandwiches, water, milk and juice….plenty. We opened that wine, walked out on our balcony and toasted to our trip. Susan said….”ya know, if we don’t do anything else this week I’ve gotten my moneys worth”…..that says it all….the town is wonderful and our apartment is charming. Although we will be doing LOTS of things…..we are already thrilled.

We got settled in and took off to explore. We walked the streets, went in 2 churches, ate fried apple slices from a vendor, and were just amazed. Mike we get the fascination with the doors now….wow, they are so cool. People’s front doors are right off the sidewalks….and they are so amazing. Huge thick wood with lots of different hardware….gorgeous. We also now have what we call the “Rome rule of 3”…..we believe that these folks, especially the women, must just put on the first 3 things they find in their closet…does not matter if it matches or not….it is a hoot!!

We both called home to let everyone know we were good to go and we headed to our 530p meeting place. We met the other 7 in our party….our grp is 14.…nice number. We had some gelato and introduced ourselves then headed out to do some shopping for our cooking class tomorrow. However, we made a quick stop at a mobile cart where they were selling roasted pork sandwiches. They had roasted a whole boneless pig, wow was that good. We were told that folks come from several miles away to get them…..I see why. We bought our groceries and headed up the hill to the castle. By now it was dark, a bit windy and chilly. Once again we were prepared we were fine….vests and jackets and good to go. It was gorgeous all lit up at night. Until 1970 this castle was still used as a jail, is now empty…..but fascinating.

Our first group picture....this was going to be a good group, and lots of fun.

From here we walked a good ways to our restaurant….we were ready for that. We had wine, prosciutto, bread with artichoke spread/wild boar spread/olive spread and crepes filled with cheese…..yep this was just an appetizer. First course, tortellini type pasta with a white sauce and ham (much like my dinner last nite…2nd course pasta with red sauce, then a wonderful thin cut braised beef with roasted potatoes and a small salad (we skipped salad….we can eat that at home)….then came limoncello,is very yummy and Prego, taste like turpentine drinks and tiramisu. Wow what a meal…..glad I have stretchy jeans.

The owner of the restaurant thought Susan needed some help....he was a clown and made the evening fun.

Michael joined us at dinner and it was a delightful fun time. We walked home and will now fall into bed. We have to meet at Bar Roma at 845a for pastry and OJ/coffee or tea and be on the bus by 915 to go tour Pitigliano.

We will have our first cooking class tomorrow and will spend the afternoon at the villa.

We could not be happier…this is everything and more that we hoped for.

Until tomorrow….good night from Soriano