Into the wild...

I spent the better part of last week in sunny southern California with a group of co-workers at the lovely Aviara resort. The meeting was a rousing success with many highlights, but the most fun part was our "photo safari" outing at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. What a fantastic way to blow off some steam and bond as a group. The tour took us out into the "Africa" portion of the park, with the opportunity to get up close and personal with endangered rhinos and friendly giraffes. A regular stop on the tour is the feeding of giraffes, who certainly knew we came bearing gifts of greenery. It was certainly MY first time being licked by a giraffe and its 14-inch tounge. (My thanks to my friend Karen for snapping the photo of me.)

Pitchforks and torches...

Before I move off the topic of politics and back to serene photos of Italy, I wanted to share some colorful images from a couple of spirited protests in San Francisco. First are some shots from a twilight march down Market Street the Friday after Election Day. The euphoria of Obama's win had faded a bit, and the reality of Proposition 8's passage had set in. Mobs of people...both gay and straight...came out in a show of unity for the undeniable civil right to love whomever you wish.




A week later, on Saturday, a more organized rally took place in cities across the country. These shots are from the grounds of San Francisco's majestic City Hall, but they are mirrored in shots I've seen from news sites in dozens of cities. It is heartening to know that we're standing together with our friends, wherever they may be.





I wanted to finish off with a light-hearted photo from Saturday's protest. I knew there was a reason I always loved Bert and Ernie growing up :)

Life in a bubble...

OK. Please excuse this post...I just have to get this off my chest.

First off...I am so thrilled about the election last night. Obama gave an inspiring acceptance speech of hope and inclusiveness and the future. I was truly moved and so proud to be an American. I am certain that I will not agree with 100% of Obama's decisions, but I am excited to finally see a leader try to lift up the country.

Of course, the evening was not without disappointment. By a slim margin, Californians saw fit to single out same-sex couples and codify discrimination into our state constitution. (It is shocking to me that in California, you can amend the state constitution with a simple majority vote...that would seem to open up our constitution to the whims of populism.)

I know a young gay couple who live in LA. They rushed to get married last week...swept up in the same euphoria of hope that propelled to Obama to wide victory in California. Today, they woke up with their newly-inked marriage in limbo, because...well...what would we tell our children about THAT kind of relationship.

Yesterday, more than SIXTY PERCENT of Californians voted to protect the rights of farm animals. Only 48% thought the rights of same sex couples were worth defending.

Nevertheless, I will not let this setback tarnish my sheer joy of Obama's election. He demonstrates first hand that civil rights are worth fighting for. The gay community will get its day as well, as long as we keep treasuring our steps forward and learning from the inevitable steps back.

The world looks a little different under a bright blue San Francisco sky. We live in a bubble of hope.

Photos from Italy...day 13...

So, here are the shots on our day driving from Siena to the Umbrian town of Orvieto. You'll notice that I had a little fun with some of the hotel photos. The lighting was odd and kept getting washed out...so I just had fun with them.

Another sunny morning in Siena. Said our goodbyes to Daniella. (She informed us that her contrada/neighborhood was one of the ones selected for the Palio in the ceremony the evening we arrived...hoorah!) Shut the heavy door of the Palazzo Masi and headed for the car.


Took a winding path south and east. Crossed from Tuscany to Umbria. Emily got confused finding our destination...but then that is becoming a familiar theme...Italy clearly isn't her home turf. In fairness, our destination was on a dirt road in the middle of a field. And is it all that bad to take an extra road or two in Italy?


Arrived at the picturesque Locanda Palazzone...an "agriturismo" style of hotel. The Locanda is a small boutique hotel located on a working vineyard. Situated high on a hillside outside of Orvieto with sweeping views of the grape vines, grassy hills, outcroppings of ancient tufa, and of course, majestic Orvieto perched 1000 feet above the valley floor.




Drove into Orvieto for an afternoon walk. Visited its grand Duomo, similar in exterior style to Siena's Duomo. Inside, a choir was rehearsing a capella. A very beautiful cathedral indeed. Later we heard evening vesper chants in the side chapel.










Peeked into several of Orvieto's ceramic shops. Colorful designs of bright yellows and blues. Walked along the high city perch to a commanding medieval fortress ruin and an ancient Etruscan temple ruin (from around 500 B.C. if I read the sign right). In fact, the soft volcanic tufu beneath Orvieto is riddled with Etruscan tombs and tunnels...hopefully we'll see those tomorrow.





The sun was low when we returned to the hotel. Everything looked extra green. Jeff took an early evening dip in a VERY cold pool...I dangled my feet in. An amazingly fresh and flavorful dinner on the hotel terrace overlooking the valley and Orvieto. Just us and a French couple...it felt like we had the world to ourselves. Our host (also the "innkeeper") recommended a white wine from the Palazzone vineyard...2002 Campo del Guardiana very rich golden color and a flavor to match. Dinner was a fixed menu...which meant we could sit back and relax. Flan di piselli al profumo di maggiorana...a warm flan made from peas (perhaps?) with fresh salad greens. Umbrichelli all'orvietana...a super-flavorful, thick tomato and herb sauce over a long lumpy pasta...amazing. Bascala pomodorini e olive con spinaci e patate arrosto...a light white fish with a delightful seasoning and sides of potatoes and spinach...both wonderful. Muosse al cioccolato...uh...chocolate mousse :)












We finished the meal with espressos. A kitten named Daphne wanted to play as the warm evening breeze turned the table cloth into a tempting cat toy. Darkness settled around us. We could see Orvieto's Duomo lit up hovering in the sky.

Something tells me we will sleep well tonight.