Final Days at Casa Sagraia

I've just let a fly out my window into the cool of the evening. The light above the smokey hills above Umbertide is almost gone. The breeze is lovely. I'm listening to Kings of Convenience. I've got a rather nice bump on my left hip from swinging (and then crashing into the berm) on Spike's rope swing. I suppose I tried to go just a tad too big ;]

I am living out my last few days here at Casa Sagraia, soaking it all up, enjoying myself thoroughly. Today was Wednesday; market day (my last Umbertide market day, I might add). I was introduced to a lot of people today while we took cappuccinos in the main piazza. We had lunch with them on a hillside retreat overlooking Val di Niccone and Umbertide. Some of the people I met today: one of the original founders of Dell, one of the largest buyers and distributors of beer in England (he owns 7,000 pubs), a photographer under contract with Getty and Corbin Images, and a fellow who has started two microbreweries from scratch, and that's just to name a few! Such an incredible experience I am having here. We drank delicious local wines and ate delicious food, while discussing life.

My time in Umbertide will soon draw to a close. Friday evening Richard returns and we'll head back to his place; old Ospedale in the hills above Citta di Castello. I am looking forward to being reacquainted. I'll work there for an additional week before heading north to Milano and eventually to Munich in Germany to visit my old long lost friend Ralph Mertens: we cycled and traveled together for 6 weeks in Chile, and I haven't seen him since. I am looking forward to seeing familar faces as I make my way towards the end of my trip. The two months I have until this stint in Europe is over will pass in the blink of an eye. I am already eager to travel again soon. I feel the next few years of my life will be very important in shaping where I'll go and where I'll end up. I am excited. For now, cheers to Umbertide, Italy, and especially Rosie and Patrick. I hope I earned my time at Casa Sagraia :] I hope you all have a wonderful night. Toodles!

Zach