Cynthia’s BEST day ever! (Except for the birth of her daughter, in case she sees this)

 Sunday . . . A day of rest and rejuvenation after the whirlwind of Roma. The kids are spending the day with their host families so we chaperones had our own adventure. We took a trip to the mountains with Anita, our Italian host, and met Angela, her colleague (and her entomologist husband), and Rodolfo, her son, at her fantastic mountain retreat. On the way, Anita took us to a higher point and we saw some stupendous views.


The 3 chaperones with Anita

We then went further up the mountain and went to an even more fantastic vista. And saw some very chill MUCCA (cows). These are my favorite animals so I was absolutely thrilled. I dare you to watch the video and not feel your blood pressure just lower. Magical!




Once we arrived at Anita’s home, built in 1868, and was originally used by her family as a restaurant, we went on a little walk. Angela’s husband brought his butterfly net and caught many different species and catalogued them and released them. We also saw toads with bright yellow bellies. As we went further down the path, we encountered some very playful ASINI (donkeys). They stopped to roll for a bit and then came down to see us in hope of some snacks. Unfortunately, we had none, but they followed us all the way to the gate with high hopes.

Anita in the doorway of her home.


Our entomologist guide!

 Rolling donkey
 Donkeys looking for a snack

After that, we returned to the house for an amazing meal, homemade by Anita. Sopressa and bread, warmed by the hearth, gnocchi in red sauce, polenta (picture has the polenta crisping up on the hearth) and formazza cheese, insalata, and a dessert of cherries, strawberries, and muffins made with strawberries and ricotta. 

We then rolled back down the mountain to our flat. I now sit on our balcone looking out on the square in Valdobiadene, content and relaxed. Ready to start our next week of activities!
Ciao, tutti!



 




Comments

  1. RcaragherJune 11, 2023 at 9:51 PM

    Wow is right- what a glorious day that included mucca, asini, butterflies and stunning vistas... so well deserved after the site filled time in fast paced Roma. How sweet of Anita to take you on the mountainous trek and then conclude with a delicious home cooked meal.

    ReplyDelete
  2. La Srta. DiederichJune 14, 2023 at 7:57 AM

    How wonderful to get a window into Anita's pastoral paradise. I can't imagine a better way to relax and bathe in nature.

    ReplyDelete

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