Village Italy 2007- Friends, Experiences, and Memories A Journey through the real Italy on a Rick Steves' tour
Back in Montone
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When we arrived back in Montone, Deana and Steve came over to see our suite and our views.It started to rain harder.We talked for awhile, hoping the rain would stop, but it kept coming steady.They went back to the hotel (borrowing our umbrellas and promising to come back for us when they were leaving for the bus).We had about an hour until we had to leave for another group dinner and truffle hunt at a nearby agriturismo.An agriturismo is a farm that serves guests foods prepared from raw materials produced on the farm (or at least locally) and may also function as a bed and breakfast .After a while longer, the rain stopped and it was a beautiful evening.The view from our terrace was stunning.
Karin translates for Sergio at the agriturismo.
Sergio tell us the secrets to successful truffle "farming"
After the rain shower in Montone
View from the bus headed back to Montone.
Napo is trained to find the truffles, and then give them up in exchange for a special treat.Truffle mushrooms are very expensive, so raising them provides an excellent source of (extra) income. Napo found the truffles incredibly fast and “dug them up”.The ones he found were black, each a little larger than a golf ball.After they harvest the mushroom, they always fill in the hole, because the oak tree roots are very fragile. Since it was not too wet, so we got to see Napo find three truffles.
To our happy surprise, Sergio said that we could go see the truffle “area,” check out the conditions, and maybe even find a truffle or two.Truffles grow below ground, so they use truffle dogs to find them by smell.Pigs are also really good at finding truffles, but with the added problem that they eat them. Truffles are very flavorful and are typically used for cooking in very small quantities.We met Napo, the truffle dog.
Steve and Deana came back by a few minutes before we left for the farm.Because of all the rain, we were expecting to have only truffle “training” and not truffle hunting.There was even a light sprinkle on the way to the farmhouse.At the farmhouse, Sergio gave us an explanation of the truffle, how and when it grows, soil conditions, harvesting and the microclimate associated with truffles.He talked about the oak forest he planted to help create the right environment.Apparently, the truffle mushrooms like to grow among the oak roots.
Sergio shows us the truffles.
Napo finds the truffles incredibly fast.
The Captain was overwhelmed by the can-can girls performance. (Photo by Deana)
The Italians got out on the dance floor after the can-can girls "warmed it up"
The Captain's special cake. The Italians have a good sense of humor.
The Italians having a great time at the Captain's party.
In the morning, the Captain looks pretty good considering his late night at the party. (Photo by Deana)
Truffle mushrooms grow underground.
Giorgio joins Eva and her sisters-in-law to sing Italian folk songs.
Breakfast at this hotel was wonderful. We had plenty of coffee, fruit, breads, cereal, yoghurt, meats, cheeses, and blood orange juice.During breakfast at the hotel, Il Capitano stuck his head out of the window and talked to us.He said he got back to the hotel at 5AM and had made pasta for everyone remaining before they finally left the party.When we asked if he was alone in his room, he smiled and said he was (but no one has seen the can-can dancers around…hummmmmm….)
After “the show,” they brought out his birthday cake which was shaped like an oversized ”little blue pill” with Viagra written across it.Good natured ribbing and having a laugh at someone else’s expense seems to cross the cultural and the language barrier with ease.Everyone sang “Tutia Guiora a ta” and then we had to leave since…Regulations require that the bus to be off for at least 9 hours continuously during the night.Since we were planning to leave at 9AM tomorrow, we had to get back.We made it back to Montone by 11:30 with time to spare.We had a great time both at the agriturismo and at the villa.We all got some good sleep this night.
As we were walking, we could hear 80s American music coming from the party.The villa was great.There was a pool, bartender, a DJ and dancing.The villa itself was a vacation rental with a gourmet kitchen.Roy and Juanita danced all night long.Everyone from the tour danced and later we even got the Italians out on the dance floor.We finally got a few Italian folks (including the Captain) to dance.At about 11PM, in honor of the Captain, we were treated to a Vegas-style show featuring fully costumed can-can dancers.
Il Capitano invited everyone on the bus to his birthday party at a villa near Montone.Some folks declined and went back to their rooms, but many of us decided to go to the party.After all, how often do you get invited to a party at a villa? In Italy?For Cathy and me, it was a first. As we headed for the villa, Giorgio decided that the last part of the road to the villa was appropriate for the bus, so we ended up walking the last quarter mile to the villa.Nicole had a headlamp in her backpack, so she led the way.Not to be ungrateful, but who carries a headlamp on a tour to Europe?The answer, of course, is someone who is prepared.
They sang Italian folk songs for us and encouraged us to sing a few songs for them.Our table collaborated and made up a song to the tune of Amazing Grace.
When we got back at the farmhouse, Eva and her sister-in-law had prepared dinner.We had very good, typical farm-style “special occasion” foods for dinner including farmer wine, bruschetta, Polenta with truffle cream sauce, penne pasta with wild boar sausage and cream sauce.For dessert, we had fresh grapes along with a fig and pomegranate pastry.
During dinner, David made a card for the Capitan’s birthday (which was actually today). I didn't get a shot of the card, but the theme was can-can dancers (with all the right moves...)
