Sunday here in Orvieto is noticably different.  First off, the shops are mostly closed like everywhere else, but there’s a difference in the foot traffic.  All day long we saw families carrying packages wrapped in white paper (my guess: baked goods) and fewer tourists.  I have to admit that although the weather is a drag, the lack of crowds in November is a big plus.

Anyway…we started off going to the historic bar Montanucci. the barista recognized me with a smile and knowing my order.  I discovered that it’s been here for over 100 years and it is a “don’t miss” in Orvieto.  Besides the really great coffee and chocolates (yes, I’ve tried them) the place is fully decorated with wooden animals and scenes by Gualverio Michelangeli.

From there we walked on to Pozzo della Cava, another excavation  of Etruscan and Medieval spaces and artifacts.  I liked how they showed you the reconstruction of some items:

This part of the cave was used as a cistern for the Etruscans and then a wine cellar in the middle ages:

The white haired owner of the Pozzo was quite a joker. Just befor we left he said to me “venga” (come) and he slowly backed up into another room. Totally confused I started looking around. Finally, I looked down and gasped. I was standing on a plexiglass window that went down into the caves. It was startling and funny and we all shared a good laugh.

Wanting to walk more, we started winding around towards the edge of town and found a nice walking section with gorgeous views to the south.

Then home for lunch and reading time.

In mid afternoon we set out again in the opposite direction and had a really nice walk around towards the bus stationmore great views, and then back home.

For dinner, I made us lentil soup which we had with the pecorino from the farmers market and some decent bread from the Pam supermarket.  The tiny lentils were from the little produce shop and weren’t from Casteluccio but from Onano, close to Orvieto, another town know for its lentils.

One more thing. I don’t usually respond to the comments, frankly because I spend too much time on this blog as it is, but I read them and really enjoy and appreciate them. So, grazie mille!