Of Cats & Fish

Walking around Montalcino the other day, looking for a particular agency I needed to get to, I spotted this minuscule shop selling fish. I know I have passed that way before to get to the "Why Not" Gelateria at the end of the corner, but I had really never noticed this door before.  It's underneath Piazza Garibaldi, built right into the wall - and apparently very popular when it is open on Tuesday mornings. Elderly towns women gossiping up a storm and sharing information and some feline admirers as well...

Roof Top Views

Rooftops of Montalcino

In Montalcino for a class and looking out of the window during our break - these are just #phone pictures but look what an amazing view I have. Just doing a normal thing like taking a class with ten other people as if we were in some boring classroom or office but instead I'm in Montalcino where people come from all over the world to taste wine, food and indulge in the views!!!

Courtyard

Valley

The Cathedral

Lone Tree

I think this must be one of the most famous trees in Italy. This is on a slope by the road that leads from San Quirico d'Orcia, the ancient Etruscan village a mile from San Buona Ventura where we are, to Montalcino.

On the way to Montalcino

We became a bit sick from the traveling and stopped into a Farmacia to get some cough drops and were astounded by the frescos that looked like this..

There are a million more places to see, paintings to discover, restaurants to eat in, museums to walk through, beautiful scenes to contemplate. It is not surprising we feel so at ease here. Beauty and grace is so natural here. In the countryside that surrounds us and in the way the women - and men - wear even simple jeans and a t shirt but look stunning. Simplicity and down to earth grumblings are du jour and makes your ears burn and heart laugh as you receive words of wisdom, whether you ask or not - from the local vegetable vendor, the pharmacist and the counter lady at the espresso bar. It's adorable.