The bus ride to the beach was lively. Nobody could believe I'd made it to the tombs and back and I told them my ghost story. We were excited to go to the beach, and I couldn't wait to jump in the Mediterranean.
Cynthia and I sat down for lunch, but I couldn't eat. I went to the changing rooms (free), put on my suit and said "Anybody up for a swim?" Edmund had reserved several beach umbrellas and lounge chairs, so I put my stuff down there and swam out in the water to another classmate. Floating away the sweat from the tombs and letting the current take me out for a bit was so relaxing.
For the first time in a year, I could do the crawl stroke without my neck and shoulder hurting. Soon more folks joined us in the water and my sense of mischief gave me an idea. When James wasn't looking, I dove underwater and swam the five yards to his ankles, and sharked him. I came up for air to see his shocked face and started laughing. Even though I gulped some of the salty water, it was worth it. I sharked Flower as well, and most of us were enjoying the water by that time. I stayed in until it was time to leave as the humidity was so thick it completely covered the sun. For half a euro, I had a 90 second rinse in the public shower, but decided to keep wearing my coverup. I thought I should look like a hippie if I were going to have my cards read.
On to the Tarot Garden. Flower had told us it was one of her favorite places in the world. I was curious - would people read my fortunes in a cave? Instead, I learned it is the life's work of one of Gaudi's proteges, Niki de Saint Phalle, a French-American. She bought the land in 1979, and began building the 22 monumental sculptures based on the esoteric Tarot. Here's a look with James. After sharking him, I had to beg him to stand next to me for a pic.
Some of the sculptures were gorgeous, others creepy.
I kept my bathing suit coverup/nightgown/tablecloth on and the pattern fit right into the garden.
I caught Cynthia writing underneath the bride and dragon. Many of the sculptures allowed you to walk in and through them. So trippy, especially in 95 degree heat.
We all snoozed during the 2 hour drive back to Terni from the beach. But I had work to do when we
returned. I had invited everyone to a wine tasting of wines from Umbria, and I needed to set up the cool room inside the chapel. We'd taste after dinner.
Fortunately Flower forgave me for sharking her in the ocean, and she helped set up a few things.
We tasted three whites and three reds, following Edmund's recommendations of the best Umbrian wines. My favorite was from Spoleto, and was a Trebbiano blend.
The Montepulciano was great as well, but when it's this hot, cold white wines are best. We had a nice time and cooled off in the little room next to the chapel.
Here's Kim in the front, with her partner Danny in the crazy pants, inspired by the Tarot Garden. After the tasting, we went to the Cabana for a lightning round of poetry, and a singalong with Danny. Kim joined him with her harmonica, and I couldn't believe our summer camp was coming to a close in two days.
After this shot, the Scopa games began and the noise continued until past midnight. We finished all of the bottles reserved for the tasting, and several more. La Romita's table wine held up to these more expensive ones, especially the Montepulciano. So delicious. I hope it tastes the same back in Califonia, but what Italy exports never seems to match what you can drink within the country.
Tomorrow night, our formal reading in the chapel. I look forward to wearing my new green silk ensemble for the reading, if only I can decide what to read. Nothing is finished, let alone polished. C'est la vie? Que sera sera.
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