What a marvelous gift I received this morning. I was tired but dressed and ready to hike. I decided to take my schedule down to breakfast to see when in hell I had a day off. I was off today! Whoohoo! It couldn't have come at a better time.
At about 11:00 AM, I realized I was famished. It is a weird time in Italy; way too early for lunch, and breakfast is mostly croissants or pastries. I wanted some real food. I went to the grocery store, and there was no hot food available, but they were just bringing out these slices of pizza - not hot, but not cold either. I raced back to my hotel room and savored every bite. It was delicious.
I walked around town and bought some much-needed ibuprofen.
All over town, there are painted scenes of Knights, horses, and ladies of old.
More of these beautiful flowers.
According to Wikipedia, " Castello di Verrès or Château de Verrès is a fortified 14th-century castle in Verrès, in the lower Aosta Valley, in north-western Italy. It has been called one of the most impressive buildings from the Middle Ages in the area. Built as a military fortress by Yblet de Challant in the fourteenth century, it was one of the first examples of a castle constructed as a single structure rather than as a series of buildings enclosed in a circuit wall. The castle stands on a rocky promontory on the opposite side of the Dora Baltea from Issogne Castle. The castle dominates the town of Verrès and the access to the Val d'Ayas. From the outside, it looks like an austere cube, thirty metres long ( 98 1/2 feet or the length of two city buses) on each side and practically free of decorative elements."
Another view of the Castello. I considered walking up to it. You can take a half-hour tour, but it is empty. I decided to save the steep uphill until tomorrow.
I headed out for dinner at 6:45. Of course it is too early so I think I will sit outside and have a glass of wine. And as customary in Italy, they brought me these ltttle appetizers. YUM! Italy is so much fun! I love sitting among Italians. They are loud, and expressive, and always seem to be happy and having a good time. Such comraderie. Even though I don't understand the language, the atmosphere is contagious. In fact there was a cross-eyed policeman (?), sitting at the next table and he checked several times to make sure I was also having a good time. Another waitress brought me a second little appetizer tray and there went my appetite for dinner. I came back to the room and finished of some chocolate. Maybe not the most gourmet meal I have had but it was fun to be among the locals.
So good night, sleep tight and I will type you tomorrow.
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