In Orvieto, hill town famed for the majestic views:

• the man who delivers the pig
• the facade behind the scaffold
• the day-tripper dinner in a cave

Between one day and the next,

a fervent sign of life.

Cerco personale in cucina.

I am looking for staff in the kitchen.

To one of the officials of the Art Festival, our thanks.  Without me dallying over photos of a shuddered wall, he would never have caught our mistake (thinking the palazzo was chuiso).

Of course, it isn’t exactly as if the exhibitions have a set starting time.  While we make our way from room to room, taking in the art, found objects explain what is also going on around us.

One animated exchange clearly indicates a difference of opinion over where to place the name tag.  Two others, it seems, are pretty much agreed about the proper height and location for hanging the next piece.

Spontaneity lends a festive feel to their “Art in the City.”  Several more places to visit (after the threat of rain).  Plus return to the ones we’ve heard calling out to be revisited.  Ought to be a fun two days taking it all in.

Some fruit, with a little bit of cheese, for lunch.

Some pasta, with a basic veggie sauce, for dinner.

Out on the terrazzo, with the clouds and a breeze.

Many a day, it doesn’t get much simpler than these.

Down to the Stazione for the tickets to Orvieto.

Next well over and then up to the supermercato.

In between, a glimpse of the old city on the hill.

With clouds rolling in, bringing with them a chill.

Orvieto, which a colleague (in history) once called his favorite place in Italy, sits on a plateau of soft volcanic rock.  Into this inviting material, apparently, the natives dug a labyrinth of caves and tunnels.  This Orvieto Underground, next only to the one in Atlanta, held a treasure trove of historical and archaeological information.  Truly a city steeped in the past.  We’re holding great expectations.