another eye opens

The next day we made an expedition to the steep Umbrian hilltown of Gubbio.

The original idea was to ride the funivia (tiny open-air two-person cages) to the top of the hill. Luckily for the acrophobics among us, it turned out to be a rainy day and the ride wasn’t running.

Instead we had lunch and visited a gay artist named Gabrielle in his studio/gallery on Via dei Consoli.

He makes sculpture, ceramics, and paintings (this is my favorite).

Then we climbed up to the Cathedral Gardens and checked out the Duomo, which the Lonely Planet Guide describes as “a plain beast with a fine 12th century stained-glass window, a fresco attributed to Bernardino Pinturicchio and not much else.” Vero.

The view from the gardens was impressive, as was Arnie’s profile.

The ride back to Terzo di Danciano included a stop at the supermercato for supplies. Happy Hour ensued. See how happy Jay looks.

Michelino sets a beautiful table.

Tonight it was Michael’s turn to dazzle us with his singing, in another stone room with excellent acoustics (see below).