"Can I get a pet goose?"

Wednesday, August 24

Right. I kid you not. This is the question that ruled the day. Alex fell in love with these geese in Capodimonte.

Let me set the scene. Around 20 miles north of Viterbo is Lake Bolsena, which is another volcanic formed lake in northern Lazio. Capodimonte is on the northwestern edge of the Lake. We were invited to have lunch with one of Alex and Eleni's future schoolmates that we had emailed last spring with questions about the school. Their schoolmate, Joey, lives near the northern edge of the lake.

So, we set off in the early AM so we could stop in Capodimonte and pick up a dessert for our hosts. Alex and Eleni wanted to live in this bakery shop - the smells were amazing!

We settled in by the shore with some cookies.

Then set off to our lunch date. We had a great afternoon hanging out - looking at their view of Lake Bolsena from their home and eating fresh figs. I'm crazy about figs. Fresh figs off the tree...even crazier.

The kids had a great time playing with their new friend. A big plus for the day, but a big let down once we left. On our way home, we stopped in another lakeside down, Marta, for dinner and the depression starting settling in - foreshadowing the intense homesickness that would hit the next day. But for now, we're still moving forward...

Here is out view heading into Viterbo.

This is one of the northern gates to the center of Viterbo. The wall that surrounds our new home is 5 kilometers.

Oh, and just so you know. We did not go home with a pet goose.