Wow, November 1st! It has been a beautiful, fun ride! Volterra has to be one of the sweetest, strongest and most lovable medieval cities to live in and we are enjoying it greatly! I wanted to give some insight to local life and tourist attractions before too much time passes!
Once we arrived in Volterra, It was a delight to walk the streets of this ancient Medieval walled- town. The buildings and the stone pavered-roads curve in unison. Beyond every curve is something new to behold. I still find hidden gardens, courtyards and homes everyday. Our two youngest children are being educated in two very different ways. Our daughter, Siena, is attending the school San Lino Elementare. It is a public school completely in Italian. I love traveling to the school because it is located inside the city walls and you have to travel through a huge stone opening that has giant wood doors about 3-stories high that could close snugly if the town so chose to. It has restricted car access to only those who live within the walls and availability to drive in during limited hours. But, trust me you want to walk into the door way and to the school. SO much to see. Siena absolutely loves the school! She goes to school 5 days a week with only one long day from 8am to 4:30 pm on Mondays. All other days school dismisses at 1 pm for what is called Pomeriggio: the time in the afternoon where families return home for lunch and local businesses close shop for the period of 2 hours. A lovely custom. The second day of school, Siena begged us to stay for the whole school year. We are very tempted! She has the assistance of an English-speaking teacher but as time passes, she is given less and less support. Siena communicates with her new friends very well! She has joined Modern & Hip-hop dance classes and actively participates in the local youth basketball league. All so much fun to experience!
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| Beautiful gateway into Volterra: Porta San Francesco |
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| Siena's School: San Lino Elementare Front doors |
Our 16 year-old son, Liam, however is gaining his education on-line using a school called Christa McAuliffe Academy School of Arts and Sciences. An excellent option for Precalc, Science and even Italian! While Liam is not completing school projects and exams, he can be found around town. He is known by many as the large-haired guy who CAN DANCE! He is learning Italian and communicating with the friends who speak Spanish and English. Otherwise, Liam has taken up a new sport: WaterPolo! He practices for 2 hours, three times a week and is getting quite muscular, fit and thinner (if you can imagine that). He comes home dead tired and hungry. Soon they will be competing with other towns. Another venture of Liam's is to attend a Manga animation school. We are fortunate to have one nearly 20 minutes from home and others in both Lucca and Bologna. He will attend one of them very soon. Very Exciting!
Other experiences around town include the many festivals: White Nights (Notte Bianca), Volterra 1398AD, Red Nights (Notte Rosso), various food festivals and Volterragusto Tartufo bianco, the truffle festival. All great delights of turning back time and reliving medieval life, live entertainment, wonderful foods to sample and buy, museum and palace openings to visit complementary of the commune di Volterra.
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| Siena and I in Palazzo Priori during White nights! |
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| The Museo dei Etruschi which displays many urns of the dead found in the ancient tombs of the necropolis! |
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| Palazzo Priori ! |
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| Cheese Race! |
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| Black truffles YUM! |
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| delicious fresh homemade sausage! |
Saturday conveniences include various vendors who come to town and sell everything from textiles, electronics and clothing to artesanal meats and cheeses and farm fresh fruits and vegetables. We often go there to get what we need and to meet up with local friends.
We have come to know some pretty fabulous friends and neighbors here. Francesco Groncchi and Annie Adair. Both are Tuscan wedding planners. He is a professional Sommelier, She is a licensed Volterran tour guide often found on youtube and referenced by Rick Steves for tour groups. They helped us know where to go and what was happening around Volterra when we first arrived! We are forever grateful to them!
We have met and become great friends with a local family who lives right in the heart of the necropolis: Marmini. Francesca and Paolo and their three sons. We have enjoyed lunches, dinners, and birthday parties with them. Recently we joined them picking olives on their farm they tend. I will dedicate a special posting to that wonderful, rich experience!
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Pizza//bread oven at Paolo & Francesca's farm used for the pizza making party of
many visitors from Poland! |
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| Beloved Fruit: Caci. the rich texture of persimmon but the flavor of ripe Papaya |
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| Insalata Caprese |
Of course we have met and had dinners with other families who have children which are friends with Siena. We are having a wonderful time visiting beautiful family homes and enjoying every minute.
In my subsequent posts, I will note our experiences in Pisa, Lucca, Roma, San Marino, and other distinct happenings and industries of Volterra.
We especially want to thank our oldest son, Grant, for inspiring this whole journey as an intern with Virtus Roma. Thanks for welcoming us to tag along at a near distance within the same country of lovely Italy!
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| All of us together on the Spanish Steps!!! |
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