So, tomorrow I am off to Italy again, to Umbria with a few days in Tuscany. Unfortunately, I am at that stage where all of the small, last-minute details and concerns threaten to swamp the excitement I should be feeling about the trip. This, of course, always happens to me, so I try not to be too concerned about it. Instead, I aim to focus on the wonderful sites I hope to visit, and on the experiences I expect to have and try not to fret over whether I should pack one more (or one less) sweater!
Actually, it's very chilly and rainy as I write this, and so I'm projecting that onto my Italian plans as well as onto my final packing. I have to shake off the urge to thrown my winter coat and boots into my suitcase, and focus instead on photos like this one of Spello, taken by Bill Thayer. Spello is one of the towns I'll be visiting while I'm in Umbria next week and it looks so beautiful! And it's hilly -- which means lots of hard walking, which in turn, should mean that I can silence my small, internal nag that constantly counts calories and tries to stop me from eating gelato.
I'll also try to focus my thoughts on other towns that I hope I'll have time to visit, such as Gubbio, which I visited last year and loved; and on Todi (seen below:)
And from Gubbio, here's a fanciful depiction of St. Luke.:
In fact, the one piece of baggage that I don't want to bring on this trip is my collection of internal nags which judge everything I do. (For example, the little voice that tells me that I actually look as bad as my passport photo!)
Instead, I will bring my to-do list for Italy which I devised a few months ago.
1. I WILL eat FRESH pecorino cheese as often as I can. With local honey as often as possible.
2. I WILL eat gelato at Perugia's Antica Gelateria Veneta, which is near the top of the wonderful Corso Vannucci. And likely, I'll try some gelato from the famous GROM.
3. I WILL restrict myself to counting calories and worrying about possible weight gain only ONCE per day.
4. I WILL eat a pastry on the patio at the lovely Sandri's, an elegant bar in Perugia with amazing pastries and good coffee. This year, I will eat something gorgeous as I take in the medieval and Renaissance architecture of this beautiful city.
5. I WILL spend plenty of time in San Francesco in Assisi, so I can really closely look at the amazing art -- particularly the frescos -- all through this amazing basilica.
6. I WILL make the most of my 3-day car rental and drive from my Bevagna base to: Montefalco, Spello and maybe even the Piano Grande.
7. I WILL, in Montefalco, see the Benozzo Gozzoli frescos of the Life of Saint Francis.
8. I WILL, in Spello, see the Pintoricchio frescos in the Baglioni chapel.
9. I WILL be careful with the rental car and not fill a diesel engine with regular gasoline, or vice-versa.
10. I WILL buy ceramics. Too often, I cheap out and am filled with regret, once I return home, over opportunities missed. I have loved every item I have ever bought in Italy, since each one reminds me of a wonderful time and place.
11. I WILL take more photos of all kinds, which will be much easier now that I have a proper camera.
13.. I WILL visit all the churches I missed in Assisi last year, because of the Pope. Not that I'm blaming him (bygones!)
14. I WILL take another cooking class near Assisi with the delightful Letizia of Alla Madonna del Piatto, who promises this class will focus on her family recipe for lasagna.
15. I WILL get up early enough to see the sunrise at least ONCE.
16. I WILL blog. And perhaps drink a bit too much wine and limoncello. And not necessarily in that order!
Ciao!
Comments (11)
What an awesome post! I'm so excited after reading that, I almost feel like I'm going to. I love your resolutions to eat,drink, look at art, shop, and be merry (and I'm so happy you'll be blogging some too - can't wait to read it!).
Safe travels and have a blast!
Posted by Annie | September 12, 2008 12:29 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 12:29
You are going to have a wonderful relaxing trip. Forget about the calories. You will do enough walking to work them all off.
And I love your to-do list. Perfect.
Have a safe trip and enjoy.
Posted by Marta | September 12, 2008 12:38 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 12:38
Annie, thanks so much! I know that once I set foot in Italy, it will be fantastic.
Marta, you're absolutely right. No calorie counting. And if I can achieve half of what I have planned on my to-do list, I'll be happy!
Posted by sandrac | September 12, 2008 2:41 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 14:41
Sandra - have a wonderful trip. I can't wait to read the next trip report! Do lots of research for when Paul and I head to Umbria.
Posted by Jerry | September 12, 2008 5:47 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 17:47
I am so excited for you. I love your plan! Have a fabulous time! Can't wait to hear about your travels...
Posted by girasoli | September 12, 2008 8:25 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 20:25
Hi Sandra, that is a fantastic "to do" list. It looks like you're going to have a great time. I am really looking forward to hearing all about your experiences.
Have a safe and wonderful trip!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | September 12, 2008 9:55 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 21:55
Will do, Jerry! I think you and Paul would love Umbria.
Thanks Girasoli and Kathy -- I'm especially looking forward to the 'consuming lots of cheese, gelato, good wine and limoncello' part of the plan!
Posted by sandrac | September 12, 2008 10:00 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 22:00
What a wonderful to-do list! I like every single item on it except the one about the calories. Forget about them! Caloric intake while traveling doesn't count.
Have a marvelous trip. Safe travels and have lots of fun!
Posted by María I. | September 12, 2008 10:59 PM
Posted on September 12, 2008 22:59
Ciao sandrac,
Your countdown clock says only 5 hours until you are off to Italy.
Have a great flight. Enjoy every minute of your holiday.
ciao,
chiaro
Posted by chiaro | September 13, 2008 7:29 AM
Posted on September 13, 2008 07:29
You're undoubtedly already at the airport (2 hours by your countdown clock). You'll see this post once you're in our beloved Italy--so I'm hoping you had good travels, and anticipating your great posts!! Enjoy!
Posted by VickyP | September 13, 2008 10:21 AM
Posted on September 13, 2008 10:21
Sandra,
Eat, eat, eat!
Never mind the calories, 'cause you'll walk your a$$ off anyway!
I'm green with envy...soak up each second and tell us about them when you have a few minutes...
Ciao,
Brenda
Posted by Brenda | September 14, 2008 11:05 PM
Posted on September 14, 2008 23:05