Buon giorno,
As I had a Project Day yesterday and am planning another for tomorrow, I thought I'd give myself a comparatively easy day today. And also today was the morning of the planned blackout. I was hoping that the workers gave a generous estimate, and so it proved. The power went off later and came on earlier than they announced. I'd taken care of all my personal needs before the power went off, as I must use the electric kettle to get warm water.
The Palazzo is fairly nearby, but it has very odd hours, so I saved it for today when it would open in the morning. Bur before it opened I got some cash and strolled around marking shops I intended to visit. and watching the merry-go-round in the Piazza.
I am happy to report that with the exception of a mother and young child, all the riders were middle aged or elderly adults having fun. It's the sort of thing I would do, too.
Then I walked down that intriguing passage pictured above.
At length the Palazzo opened and I entered. I got a handsome discount for being old and proceeded. on my visit. The young ladies in charge were very eager to help me. I think I was their only visitor at that time--because the joint is not open that much, and visitors need to plan.
Most of the Palazzo has been gutted, but on the first floor some lovely ceiling frescos survived.
The young ladies highly touted the "Special Exhibition" of contemporary artists in dialogue with the Middle Ages. I was unimpressed.
The other floors were more interesting to me. There was a reasonable collection of Renaissance and Baroque works. I enjoyed the landscapes and portraits most of all, and the same was true in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century works.
I saw a very impressive and beautiful collection of Umbrian Majolica. The colors just glowed! I don't feel right about taking photos of these exhibits because I'm concerned about copyright.
I also came across the personal out put of an eccentric artist, who managed to convince he he was gay. Sure he had plenty of female nudes, but they didn't have the--uh--resonance of his male nudes.
This was a pleasant way to spend the morning, but I also had some shopping to do. I attended a chocolate shop a little further down the street that I found more elegant and less touristy than the ones nearer the Cathedral.
I also returned to the tiny shop selling Umbrian goodies.Let me take a sip of one of my purchases. It's an Umbrian liquer called Amaro d'Erbe. Smells sort of herby, but also like booze. It tastes very nice--not bitter at all, which is what amaro means. But I can tell from one sip that it is strong! I need to go slowly with this, and I have some left for tomorrow.
I slept pretty well, but I had an interesting nightmare. I dreamt I was at the train station about to board when I realized I hadn't packed. I had my luggage, but I'd left my belongings behind. This won't happen in real life.
Ciao for now
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