Finally, we are in Todi! We got off the plane yesterday and we have been unpacking our bags. We have a very small house. The first night we landed in Rome and stayed in a small hotel. Dinner was early , but we were TIRED and HUNGRY by the time we got out of the airport.
We got off the train in Todi today and our taxi was not there like it was supposed to be, but then we called another one. We got a “grande tassí”. The “grande Tassí’could fit nine people.
We took an adventure through the book store and the pizzeria. The people were so nice and some of them talked very slowly for us so we could understand. Others just talked as fast as they could when we told them we don’t understand much.
Our kitchen is very small and so are the bedrooms, but it is a lot bigger than I expected. We do have a dishwasher and washing machine! There is a gas stove and a table that folds out. Yes, it is big enough! Wow!
We have had such a fun time and it is such a wonderful experience. I am happy and can’t wait until tomorrow when we have more time to get a look around and meet more people.
Love,
Ashley
Dear everyone,
Our time in Rome was very short, but we had a wonderful experience. The hotel clerk remembered us from our prior visits, and was very sweet. They’ve evidently undergone a massive renovation, because it was much, much better than on previous trips. However, it retains its unique character: funny, narrow (18”) hallways joining one building to the next, a labyrinth of passages and stairs, and an elevator that holds a maximum of 2 people!
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| James in the narrow hallway in our Rome hotel |
We are tired and footsore, having walked all over the town (although we haven’t seen everything yet)! We’re relaxing in our casa, watching TV (yes, you read that correctly!) and knitting and reading. And I DO have a cup of tea in front of me!
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| James in our kitchen! |
We have already met one 13-year-old girl who is going to give the kids a tour tomorrow at 3:30 – she is the daughter of our rental agent.
Florence had a wonderful train ride – she made friends with a Moroccan woman who had a 2-month-old girl, and the mother let Florence hold her baby for the whole trip! Florence was in hog heaven! We also spent the trip talking to a grandmother whose daughter works in Todi. She spoke at a million miles per hour – very difficult! But she was thrilled to hear of our plans.
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| Florence in heaven! |
Todi is every bit as charming as we’d hoped. We’re all smitten – I hope it lasts! We have received a warm welcome, and love the house! It’s up a little alley (UP, I said) that has steps in the middle. Then you turn the corner and go up again. Then you go up 8 steps to our gate. Open the gate, and enjoy about 20 more steps. Now you’re on top of the town, and get to go down (!) about 10 steps to get to our front door. Coach Amanda would be proud of our stair circuit.
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| The house as seen from the garden |
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| Not done with stairs yet! |
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| Jeremy in the family room/extra bedroom |
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| The kitchen |
We’ve been by the music school, and lessons start on Monday for Jeremy. We’re not sure when they are for the others, but we’ll be sent an email. Sadly, I don’t think I can open a bank account because we’re only here for a short time, but we’ll figure out how to get our money over.
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| A view of Todi from the Etruscan wall |
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| A view through an arch near our house |
I guess that’s it for now! We have so much to say, but it’s hard to think of everything right now! We’re going to have tortellini with pancetta for dinner tonight, as well as zucchini and salad. Yum!
Love,
Alexandra
p.s. We are charged by the minute (!) for internet use, so we won't be on all day anymore -- we'll just jump on and off to post and check our email.
So glad you made it safely!! Looking forward to some great pictures and stories about your adventures. First Conquest tonight without your boys - seems wierd!!!!
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