Thursday
Arcidosso, the Fortress on the hill. This is a tiny village of only about 1400 people, but I managed to get some photos of a few banks whose name I recognized from my wire room days. Conner took his customary drink from the local water fountain. If he doesn’t end up with dysentery or any other water-borne disease this trip, I will be impressed. This was Romeo’s hometown. Everyone knew him here. We stopped in a small shop and bought some local extra virgin olive oil in cans for taking home with us.
We had a special tour guide, the mayor or former mayor of the city. Romeo’s family was at one time very prominent in the town (mayor, grandfather was mayor, and so forth). Romeo grew up a stone’s throw from the “castle” jail build in the 11th century and used as a prison from about 1350 to 1960. Talk about crude. There was a cistern inside the walled courtyard to collect water in case of siege. The cells were distinguishable only by their location – the lower ones (hell) and the higher ones (heaven). Those in the middle must have been purgatory. We climbed to the top and took a group photo of those of us who dared to climb the steep steps. The construction of the building was so basic. You could see the stone (volcanic rock) as part of the structure and as part of the mountain.
Since we are so close to “home,” we had lunch at Romeo’s father’s restaurant, Trattoria Lacanda del Prete. Carlos and his wife made us feel right at home. They served us bruschetta, a chicken caccitore dish, pasta with meat sauce and centucci vincanto. This last course was biscotti dipped in a deliciously favored white wine. ) It was very nice. After all the wine, Tim commented that he wasn’t sure he could make it back to the bus. Mark, always ready with something witty, said “I’ll carry you. Suddenly, I think I can do it!” – I think it was the wine talking. ☺ Later we visited the Castello Banfi where some folks tasted the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine. It is described as having a flavor of sandalwood, with blueberry and blackberry aromas and hints of dried flowers. A full body, with fine tannins and a long caressing finish.
Dinner that night was already made for us by Federico and her team of helpers and served in the large dining room with all the tables joined together into one large table. I don’t know how we justified eating again, but most of us managed to do it!