Well, it has been a long time. Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to write a very long blog but since we might not get another chance for a while here is an update...
A few weeks at La Rocchetta turned into two full months. We are so grateful to Claudio, Michelle, and Dani for making us feel at home and for all the endless kindnesses they showed us.
Many things were done on the farm since the last blog and pictures/stories will be posted soon.
10 days ago my dad arrived with Sophia and his student group of all girls in different clusters (visual, music, dance and theatre) from Arts Magnet. A very sweet, smart and funny group.
March 16th they came to the farm for a country lunch that was prepared by Claudio, Michelle, Ryan, me, and two new WWOOFers from New Zealand, Alyson and Simon. Thank you to Alyson and Simon for helping tremendously and making the lunch wonderful!
After the incredible lunch (which we will write more about later), we left La Rocchetta and went with the group to Florence. We had a beautiful time with many incredible dishes and of course the chance to see the museums. The Academy, the Uffizi, and Santa Croce. Then who can forget our fantastic meal at the Castle in Toscana. We finally were able to try boar sauce....it was delicious. Last day a few of us went to the Boboli gardens and it was just as beautiful as I remember on my first trips with my dad 2003 and 2004.
After a couple of days we left for Venezia and this is where it got REALLY exciting. The group and ourselves were in complete awe at the stunning beauty of the city. We ate well and thanks to Claudio were not ignorant of the famous Venetian dishes. Such as, cuttlefish in ink sauce, liver and onions, sardines marinated with onions, and Venetian tripe. All that had been made for us in La Rocchetta.
*More about Venice to come! Details and everything....
We were very sad to see the group go. So, to make up for it, Ryan and I stayed in Venice 3 more nights. My dads friend who owns the Pensione Guerrato where we stayed with the group gave Ryan and I an INCREDIBLE deal. Roberto, the owner, said "Anything for the daughter of Scott Davison." If you ever go to Venice, stay at the Pensione Guerrato. The friendliest staff, incredible prices, and most important BEST LOCATION. Only steps from The Rialto bridge. My dad's longtime friend, Sergio (who I cannot say more about now because then surprises would not be surprises) was SO kind to us.
Ryan and I spent our extra days walking around the enchanted city. Talking about the history and imagining Venice when it began as a Pirate city. We were of course led to think about the similarities of Venice and New Orleans. Founded by pirates, AWESOME navy force, and built in unlikely places. I love Venice and cannot wait to go back in the future.
Now, Ryan and I are in Florence leaving this afternoon for a town called Cecina, south of Livorno. We will be WWOOFing there for a couple of weeks and then meet Michelle and Claudio's friends, Ady and Vic, who will be taking us to Sardegna. We will be in Sardinia for about 10 days helping Ady and Vic get the guesthouse in order for the summer holidays. Then we will take a ferry to Sicily and stay a couple of days to look around, then another ferry to Tunisia and do the same as Sicily. THEN FINALLY.........GREECE!!!!!!!!! We plan to do some traveling first and work either with WWOOF and/or Work Away until August or so.
Then.....who knows?
Love to you all and hope all is well.
Medora and Ryan
PS videos to come soon from La Rocchetta!
