Europe: Day 11, May 11, Orvieto and Rome, Italy

Today was mostly a travel day. We rode in the bus from Castel d'Ario, Italy, near Verona, where we had spent the two previous nights.  We were on our way to our next destination, Rome. On the way to Rome, we stopped at Orvieto.  Orvieto is a small Italian village situated on a Mesa surrounded by steep cliffs. It was designed as a defensive position and prevented the founders of the city from having to build a wall around the city as was necessary with so many roman cities throughout Europe. It was so well protected by the limestone cliffs surrounding it, that it was used as a papal city.  It became a place of refuge for the pope when he needed a place to hide out.  I don't know if he went there and lived for a length of time, or just occasionally, when he was in danger.  It was a charming place with a huge church. I believe the Italians call a large church a cathedral or duomo. It was striped white and gray on the outside on all but the front side and on the same three inside walls.  It was quite unique, but not attractive, in my opinion. 

While in Orvieto, Candice and I stopped at a little restaurant to eat.  She ordered a kabob, which was sort of a wrap.  I ordered spaghetti.  Her order came and she began eating.  She shared with me while I waited for my order.  Other customers came and ordered and got their orders.  Several times the man came and said something to me.  We assumed he telling us that my spaghetti was on its way.  But it never came.  Finally on one of his trips from the back room he stood behind the counter and gave Candice a smile that she thought meant, "you can come and pay."  At any rate, my order never came. I finally took him €3,50 and left. €3,50 means three euros, fifty, which is their way of saying three and a half euros. 

To get into Orvieto, we had to ride the funicular. A funicular is a tram that takes a load up a steep cog wheel track.  There is a road up and unto the village, but tour busses are not allowed in town unless the folks inside are staying in a hotel in the town. 

Of course, we also had some gelato while in the village.

We walked around the charming village of Orvieto and saw the beautiful Cathedral of Orvieto. We did not have time to go inside the cathedral but the outside was very impressive.

After coming down from the village in the funicular, we re-boarded our bus and drove the rest of the way to Rome.