On to Benevento!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Ciao!

Today started out fairly rainy, and continued like that throughout the day, with some fortunate breaks for sightseeing. We had a very meager breakfast – rolls and hot chocolate/coffee, and juice. (We’ve definitely been spoiled by other Italian breakfasts!) Headed out around 9 on our trip to Benevento, sometimes following the Appian Way, sometimes in other directions. There are whole huge spaces where the Way has disappeared entirely – SO sad! Benevento is a very lovely city; a university town, filled with lots of kids. Also a Roman arena! Just lovely – and all around it, there was fallen statuary! How odd! Did find a lion (see photo) that I would LOVE to have for our front yard! Oh well!! Do you think if we could somehow get it out of the arena, anybody would notice it was gone?

Our second stop in Benevento was the Church of Santa Sophia – and it was CLOSED for refurbishment! VERY disappointed, but glad that they’re restoring it – it’s going to be absolutely stunning when it gets finished! (Will definitely have a reason to return, that’s for sure!) Were particularly looking for the knotted column – saw it through the gate, but weren’t able to get closer! Oh well!! Did find a Magnum Classic bar, though, to help ease the pain – which basically constituted my lunch!

Took a very convoluted route back to Capua, and got here around 2:30 p.m. R went downstairs to see if he could get lunch, and ended up with a very good penne with tomato sauce along with a half-liter of wine. Figured we’d earned a well-needed rest, so napped and read for the rest of the afternoon. Had dinner here at the hotel – last night, besides us, there were three other people eating (one visitor and two firemen) – tonight, there was a very large crowd – at least 30 people – ALL guys! R wondered if women ate in this area; I told him they were all on diets! More pasta – which was wonderful; farfalle with cream sauce and prosciutto. Wine for R; water for me. (Still have a somewhat chippy tummy so am being careful!)

Have to say, the folks here at the hotel, are really neat. As R was settling our hotel bill, they offered him home-made (by Mama!) Lemoncello (yes, Laura!) and all had quite a talk – not sure in what language(s) but very friendly!

We’re off tomorrow to Matera and our very own cave hotel, with at least one big stop (possibly two, depending on time). Will HAVE to get laundry done there (didn’t work out this morning…) – or we’re going to be in REAL trouble!!

More later!
Much love,
m