Reading, Touching, and Comparing with Peppe

Monday, June 22
Breakfast at 8am. Antoinetta, the worker we loved so much last time was here and made her wonderful scrambled eggs for us. It is a much more simple breakfast, with sweetbread and wonderful homemade marmalade.At 9am, we met Peppe Bambini, our tour guide from last time. It is always risky trying to recreate magic, but Peppe did not disappoint. Dressed in yellow pants and plaid shirt, he told us to bring our jumpers (jackets), as it was cool, cloudy and bit rainy. The weather held out, although sweaters were worn. Our day was filled with history, culture and "peppe-isms". Ken asked how he knew so much, he said " I read, I touch, I compare". We decided there was a “Peppe walk”. He always folded his hands behind his bac and strolled slowly, almost enhaling his surroundings. Our 1st stop was at an Abbey that was for Benedictine Monks (Abbazta dei S. Felice. http://www.abbazia.net/). Peppe said their motto was “ora et lavora…..pray and work...(and be silent)" They organized a decaying society. Next was the town of Norcia. Norcia is famous for prosciutto. It also has a chocolate factory. We got to do a little bit of shopping and then, as in every town we have visited with Peppe, he told us why the town is special and then visit the church and stand in the piazza while he points out things, giving history and philosophizing. We drove up and up (8,400 feet)to see flower fields in bloom. We were a few days early, it was still beautiful. There was even a map of Italy out of trees that was planted in the 1930s. We drove by big plain, little plain and lost plain. Casteluccio where we stopped for lunch. Sandwiches, wine and coffee and pictures taken with Peppe's friend who owned the place made it a perfect break. Jen talked me into the picture with the good looking owner, but I was interested in his very elderly father, who was more than happy to pose. When we went to leave, Ken shook his hand, and I went to also shake his hand and...he pulled me in for the "double cheek" kiss. Man the old guy had a strong grip ! I turned to see him going after Jen. This town has fewer than 30 residents. He probably hasn't seen woman under 90 in years !On our drive down, we stopped at Visso. As we returned to Assisi, we came upon Peppe's favorite trout farm. He asked if he could stop and buy fish. So then we got to visit a trout farm ! We returned to Malvarina at 6pm.It was 7pm by the time he gave us advice for our next few days. While doing that, usually aloof Mama came out of her kitchen very LOUDLY proclaiming something. When she lunged toward Jen and me, I thought we were in trouble. No, just a hug! She allowed Jen and me to see her kitchen. They keep mentioning that Ken and I have been here 2 times before. They like that. Mama Maria 82 ! Brian, Jen and Peppe were all sqeezed in the back seat. Jen mentioned her big butt, Peppe said “no, is normal. Not like Joy (the director of the Abbey we had been to. Not a slam on Joy, just a fact. Jen said “why thank you!”As Peppe says “carpe diem. You do this trip right. You don’t know future”. Peppe says there is no word for "spelling" in Italian. You just have to sound out the word. There aren't words to describe a day with for Peppe, it's just have to feel it
Dinner #2:wine and water is free flowinglittle pizza from warm foccacia, cheese and salami with a wonderful spicy pastepacheri pasta ( a very special pasta (Maria's uncle is visitingbaby goat breaded cipola (onion)green salad, with bread in the bottom fried zucchini with egga soft pastry with ,a bit of cream, and fresh fruitsausage, tomato, and hot peppersand again, you're choice of firewater