In any case, once there, some of the usual feelings came back and I got into the swing of things for the most part. I did meet some very nice people with whom I traveled pre and post conference, some I had met at previous conferences and others, totally new. The base of the conference was Pisa and the Terre di Pisa, the lands around the actual city, and no, I did not see the Leaning Tower, which is just fine, given the fact that I had seen it before, many years ago, back in 1985, and then from a distance a couple of years ago, when Rosa and I were in Tuscany together. In any case I also connected and re-connected with colleagues, some with whom I already have a business relationship and others to be developed. In some cases, when I finally have my vehicle here in Italy, I will travel to see some of the hotels and other accommodations when I have time to explore on my own. It will help to see properties around Tuscany on my own. Some of the highlights of last week included visiting a former monastery, tasting olive oil and wines in some of the smaller villages of Tuscany in the Terre di Pisa, visiting castles and hearing small snippets of different operas at the Pisa Opera House while enjoying an evening of wine and food and mingling with other participants of the Buy Tuscany conference. This was the first couple of days after which many of us had a chance to pick a post Tuscan experience. I have been to many parts of Tuscany over the years, but when we had a chance to pick and provide a first and second choice, being a foodie, have an interest and culture and looking for something difference, I chose the region called Amiata, which is not well known at all. Everyone knows Florence, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena. Everyone know Chianti and the super Tuscans, but most would be hard pressed to know Amiata, unless you are a local or even a native Italian in general, so when Rosa asked me where we went in our post experience, her response was why? Amiata, is a hidden gem and is truly hidden in the mountains in the southern most part of Tuscany and on the Lazio border. A complex and hybrid land nestled between the Val d’Orcia and the Maremma, the Amiata area is a hub of life and culture that takes its name from Monte Amiata, a 1,738-meter dormant volcano dominating the landscape. In a place so rooted in its nature, its story can only be told through the elements, and so we offer here a metaphorical journey into this land. The earth around Amiata is a fertile land, feeding its dedicated farmers for centuries and rewarding them generously with riches like mushrooms, chestnuts, and the renowned olives from Seggiano. Thanks to this growth and development, the area has also been able to nurture its art and culture. Indeed, the cultures of Siena and the Maremma come together here, among the oak and chestnut forests in the nature reserves, which priest and peace activist Ernesto Balducci, a native of Santa Fiora, called an “inland island”. Water is the main element defining the personality of this region. Here, water flows three ways: gushing from its sources, frozen as snow or sprouting from hot springs. The water bubbling magnificently to the surface in Santa Fiora courses through the woods and merges with winding streams. Snow falls freely in the winter, to the joy of skiers, while in places like Bagni San Filippo, thermal waters burst forth from the heart of the volcano. Fire is another distinguishing element of these mountains; it purifies, destroys, and recreates, making the soil fertile. Torches, bonfires, and the wood pile ritual in Abbadia San Salvatore at Christmastime is a folk tradition rooted in ancient culture. Everywhere you look, you see fire, like on June 24, the feast day of St. John the Baptist and the day farmers burn their leftover timber, or in the winter, when it’s thought to bring good luck for the next harvest. Then there’s the cool air of the mountains or the hot air balloons that take you high into the sky to observe the vase, verdant expanses, with views as far as the Apennines and Lake Bolsena. Thank you for the additional details, visittuscany.com. The area was known for mining mercury, but as we know today, mercury is poison, but most who mined and the mines are closed now, died early in life. We did see a replica of a mine in Santa Fiora next to the Municipio (City Hall) and the mayor of the town. In any case, it is a very small region and one in which you need to have a car to get around. I believe the closest train station is Grossetto, and that is not really close. Again, while there is a great deal of history and culture here, it is a world away from the usual suspects of Tuscany, so I am glad I chose it, being able to breathe in the clean mountain air and drink the clean fresh mountain water from the fountains and the tap, and of course, my aqua frizzante, wherever possible. Of course, I bought some wine, olive oil, honey, and other local products to bring home.
The most unusual find, not native and something very special in Tuscany, but not just Tuscany, but Amiata, and not just Amiata, but in a little artisan store, in Santa Fiora, this little teenie, tiny town in the middle of nowhere. What first caught my eye and I was going to go back and get it was a sign that said Casa Dolce Casa, and for those who need a translation, it means Home Sweet Home and it was hanging on the wall, so easy to see, but then, when I went into the store itself and the lady was painting another piece, I saw it, sitting on a shelf behind her. I had promised I was not going to add to the collection, but it was a no brainer. It was a beautifully painted box with what you say, puffins of course, and I bought it and the sign on the spot. I also ended up buying another sign that said home from another vendor in the village square that has hooks on it, which will go into our casa to enjoy when it finally gets done and that is anyone’s guess. When I got back Sunday, I guess I had expectations that maybe I would see more progress, but to my dismay, it seemed the same. Now, I must confess, there was progress, the walls in the bathroom were painted, the walls in the kitchen (or what will be the kitchen) was painted and the room that will be our living room/dining room was painted, as were the hallways, but I found out that the elements of the kitchen would not be ready to be installed until the 11th of October and so, who knows when it will be livable. I know the toilet flushes and the sink has running water, but livable, who knows. I am leaving again for back-to-back conferences on Saturday, first to Venice and then to Rimini, so maybe it will be livable when I return on the afternoon of the 11th. I think Rosa will appreciate my not being here and away from and adding to the stresses of the moment. We will pack up everything on the 4th, so things can be brought upstairs, so when it is livable, we can put things away or at least start and I know other elements will be worked on. I hope, in any case to be able to host an American Thanksgiving meal in our home for my Italian family, a mere 7 weeks from now. Oh, and all three groups that were in Rome last week, have moved on, two sets of clients to Tuscany and beyond and the other couple, back home to Minnesota, and had a chance to meet all of them, but the fun continues as another group of three arrives here in Italy, first to Sorrento and then here to Rome and three other couples arrive on the 4th of October, in Rome, where Rosa and I will meet them that evening for dinner and then, she will guide them the couple of days before they set sail on a cruise around Italy ending up in Venice and then experience Tuscany after that. The other three will be coming up here and Rosa will be guiding them, as well, next week, so never a dull moment. Unfortunately, I will not be able to visit with them personally, as I will be out of town still by the time they leave, but I know they will be in very good hands, those of my wife and I still have other clients traveling currently in Spain, France and Belgium, so busy, busy, busy and that is how I like it with more to travel in the next month or so. Who knows, if I can get on a WhatsApp call with Rosa, then I can “meet” them in the same country. Lastly, and most importantly, today is momma’s 80th birthday and yesterday, Rosa and I went to her sister, Pamela’s house for a birthday celebration. Salvatore and Massimo were not there, but Manuela, Rosa’s youngest sister and Artu, the dog, was there, as was momma, of course and we sang happy birthday, in English, and the Italians have their version to the same music. Buon 80th Compleanno momma and many more to come!!! You are truly a blessing in my life as is my whole Italian family. I hope you have enjoyed my offerings each week and appreciate that you have read my blog posts and look forward to sharing. As always, thank you so much for your support of Rosa’s and my crazy little world here in Rome. We truly appreciate your support. Stay safe, healthy, and most importantly happy, and as always, your shared comments and thoughts are most welcome!!! Share the knowledge
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Wandering PuffinWeathering the Storm with the Wandering Puffin Archives
February 2025
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