Gioiella, Umbria - Sightseeing

Our host Jan returned from her visit to the UK late Sunday to find her transformed living quarters. She seemed to very much like Deborah's rebuilt drapes, the newly painted furniture pieces, the reorganized kitchen and desk area, the kitchen cabinet repair, the new furniture placement, and all the other redecorated/reorganized bits of domestic improvement we managed to accomplish. Or if not, she faked it well. But we think she was genuinely pleased and grateful for all our hard work.

To show her appreciation she took us sightseeing both Monday and Tuesday, both of which proved to be sunny if cold days. Monday we visited Corciano, a beautiful and tidy medieval town famous for its Presepe, or nativity scene, which includes dozens of life-size mannequins spread across several streets. Everyone from the wise men to the blacksmith to the candle maker to the sheep were represented. Then it was off to Assisi where St. Francis made a name for himself before apparently selling licensing rights to hundreds of tacky souvenir shops.

Tuesday we visited Cortona, the town made famous by Francis Mayes in “Under the Tuscan Sun”, although it irritates Jan that the movie version strayed so far from the book. She pointed out where the movie makers added a fake fountain since Cortona doesn't actually have one. We also visited the Tuscan hill towns of Montepulciano and Pienza before stopping at some ancient geothermal baths (just for a look, not a dip). Jan also seemed to know all the best places for breakfast, lunch, and coffee to keep us energized.

Some of Deborah's handiwork: painted hutch, display



Drapes by Deborah, new seating area by the fire


New furniture layout for living area


Life-Size Presepe in Corciana


Jan and Deborah with one of the bit players


Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi


Assisi


This is St. Francis' original chapel which now stands in the middle of a much larger church which was built around it.


You want cream with your coffee? This is how you get it in Italy, at least when gay guys own the establishment.


Brama Sole from "Under the Tuscan Sun"


Cortona


Cortona


Deborah and Jan make their way to Jan's favorite restaurant in Pienza



Deborah apologizes if you are tired of seeing her in this hat, but it's COLD!