Buongiorno,

Piove oggi. Che peccato! (It is raining. What a shame!) Ok that means plan B. Siamo andati al supermercato fuori le mura. (We went to the supermarket outside the walls.) Bought wine, meats, bread and cheeses. What else do you buy when in Italy?

Siamo andati a Cantine Bernardini per il pranzo. (We went to Cantine Bernardini for lunch.) Questo è stato il pranzo di pesce (This was a fish lunch.) Dow had an anchovy antipasto and then cod. I had soup and then octopus. There was another couple close by and later we learned they were from Rutland, Vermont. Small world!

In the afternoon the rain stopped so we walked around and decided to go to the gala opera concert at night. The concert started at 9:15 pm, which really means it starts at 9:30. This is a big deal as it included the Orchestra Filarmonica di Lucca, the Coro Lirico Della Versilia (a choir), two sopranos and two tenors and was being recorded. Most of the seats in front were reserved for local VIP's but we found great seats along the side.  Pews – not confortable but we didn't care.  It was more than a great concert - it was fabulous! Imagine in Italy, in a huge church with an orchestra and wonderful opera singers. Difficult to describe as the 2-hour concert went by in a flash.

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September 14