PIERO'S SECRET GARDEN

PIERO'S SECRET GARDEN

It takes a while for people to get to know each other well enough to share their secrets. And when the people in question don't speak the same language or have anything apparent in common, well, that just delays the sharing.

So it was with Piero and his garden. It took a little while for the other residents in our apartment building to discover that we were nice enough people. We didn't make a lot of noise or trash the place or complain. We planted flowers in the empty pots along the common terrace. We said “Buon Giorno” and “Buona Sera” at the appropriate moments. When asked, we explained why we were here in Soriano, and that we were staying for a while and gradually the neighbors warmed to us. Eventually,we got to know every one of the year-round residents(the seasonal owners still look upon us with a critical eye)

We discovered that our building was originally a hotel owned by Piero's family. He grew up there. Piero converted the hotel into a condominium when he retired. Now half the building is occupied by his family (in separate apartments) In the ravine across the street a horse grazes at will. Turns out the horse belongs to Piero's grandson. The ravine belongs to Piero. We're told that, at one time, Piero's family owned most of this mountain. Apparently,Piero still has claim to a good part of it.

Invisible from steet level, a series of steps and slopes lead to a magnificent garden. An unrestored 3 story building on the property was once the stables where the local baron kept his horses (we wonder if Piero is descended from the Baron. ) A stone terrace accommodates about a dozen marble tables under intricately worked wrought-iron framed tents. Not an official event location, Piero's family uses it in the summer and he makes it available to friends who are celebrating christenings, weddings and other warm-weather celebrations.

One recent evening, Piero invited us to see the garden. He went down ahead of us to turn on the lights and the fountain and we were amazed and bewitched by this absolute treasure that has been right under our noses for 6 months. Piero invited us make ourselves at home in the garden any time we like.

I am sitting at one of the marble tables, in the shade of the tent, looking out over the classic Soriano vista with the Orsini castle at its peak. The weather is very hot, but a gentile breeze is keeping the leaves swaying and the air cool. There couldn't be a more delightful place to spend a warm summer afternoon.

Shopping in Bellagio

Writer's Block? Vapor Lock? Call it what you will but the fact is that I am simply at a loss for words...in both languages...so for the moment, here are a few pictures of some of the many temptations that tested our will power during our recent travels.

Details

We didn't intend to jam the entire internet network at the Soriano Library, but that's exactly what happened when Bill tried to upload a really neat slideshow with music this morning.
So for the moment, I've just thrown up these pictures of some exquisite wroght iron work that we found along Lake Como.
For now, we'll try to keep it simple with vacation pictures. More tomorrow......I hope ;-)

Johnny B. Goode…Italian Style

You won’t believe what I discovered in Deruta; home to traditional Majolica ceramic artists for about 600 years. In one of the smaller ceramic studios along the main street I met Giovanni Andreani, a young ceramic artist, musician and guitar maker, who has combined his passions to create one-of-a-kind, museum quality instruments.

From a distance I thought the ornately decorated, electric guitar in the window was just another humorous jab at an Italian tradition…like a “paint-by-numbers” Mona Lisa or an over sized partial sculpture (from his waist to his upper thighs) of Michelangelo’s David...you get the picture. Anyway, I just couldn’t resist stepping inside for a closer look at this incredible work of art.

I was greeted by Giovanni’s father, himself an expert ceramic artist, and asked if the guitar was functional. He flashed a quick smile and summoned Giovanni who proceeded to switch on and plug into an amplifier, strap on the guitar and played a few rock and roll riffs and cords proving both he and the guitar were the real deal. I was blown away.

Following Giovanni’s demonstration, he showed me four other ceramic guitars; each was decorated with different traditional renaissance designs and patterns. The ceramic control knobs were similarly decorated, the heads were inlayed with tiny ceramic pieces with mother-of-pearl tuning keys. He explained that it took him at least three months to make one guitar and his estimated their value of at least €12,000 ($15,000 USD) each…if they were for sale…which they are not!

Giovanni said that he might consider selling one of his masterpieces to a very serious collector, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top or a major museum. Besides his artistic talents, I think young Giovanni has inherited his father’s business acumen.

By the way, in Italian John is Giovanni. So here are some photos of traditional Deruta ceramics and Govanni's creations.

Cooking Italian in France

While visiting our friends in France, Bill promised to cook them an authentic Italian dinner.

(truth be told, we were having a bit of withdrawal)

Here are some fotos of the delicious event...in random order...(sorry, but once again, this foto thing on Blogspot has confounded me)

Anyway, hope you get the idea...Spaghetti alla frutta di mare...

Wanna see some French Pictures, Little Boy??

No fancy formating or composition......Not taking too much time just now to write, but wanted to put up some pretty pictures from our visit to the Pays Basque region of France

We're Back in Soriano!

We obviously had no success over the past three weeks posting from the road. Our travels took us to Lago di Como, Pau (France) and then back to Como for a family reunion. My cousin is visiting us here in Soriano this week so there won't be much time to catch up but we have lots to write about...so stay tuned!