We spent the first night in Ostia in a room with a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The full moon rose and set, and the water lapped and purred. I barely slept I was so excited.
We spent last night in Orvieto, a village on a hill, and a place with a duomo beyond compare. The Etruscans were there, and we went through the anthropolical museum. We sat together last night with the one day after full moon and the duomo our evening friends.
Tonight we are in Siena at the Hotel Garden, overlooking Siena and beyond. Again, an amazing duomo. Tears came to my eyes a good many times today as we walked and took in the cathedrals, medieval streets, music, people, hope. I thought I had seen magnificent cathedrals, but I am in awe tonight, and full on art and marble and perspective and color.
I wondered why people get a dreamy look in their eyes when they speak of Italy. Now, I know. Heaven is on earth and we are here, reveling and simmering in it, like tomatoes in Italian sauce, and basil in pesto, and creamy cheese taught to cling and treat body and throat.