I was enamored with this abbey upon first sight. I drew this from the high school shoolyard in Orvieto. Walking through the city that morning, I saw a gate open. My curiosity got me to peek around, seeing as how I was sure that would be a great vantage point to sketch from that day. I spent a bit of time making this sketch and some photos. This was the last sketch in my sketchbook. And I nearly lost the whole thing! Major tragedy to lose a empty sketchbook, let alone a filled one! I pulled a new sketchbook out of my bag and thought I put the filled one away. I left the schoolyard feeling all good, and continued on my way.
I didn’t realize until later that afternoon and ran back to the school, but the gate was closed and so was the school! I nearly got locked up in a foreign country, because I was scheming ways to get over that gate(about 12 feet tall). I even snuck onto a construction site next door to see if I could scale the wall there away from normal foot traffic. I slipped under a locked gate to get into that site! No dice. I even considered going in through a courtyard from the house next door. I thought that gate was open, but while I was considering my options a nervous mom and her kid came through that gate and locked it shut behind them.
Luckily, cooler heads and prayer prevailed, and I decided to come back first thing the next morning. My prayers were answered and the sketchbook was on the ground under the bench I sat on the previous day when I got there around 7:30 AM in the morning. (anyone that knows me knows how serious that is!)
Our last day in Orvieto, we walked over to La Badia and I took a lot of shots of it. Didn’t realize it was private property and a hotel until we got over there. The owner came out asking if I was from some publication, since I busted out with my tripod! Luckily she dug my sketch and allowed me to keep the many shots I was taking of her property. The abbey has been in her family since 18th century! Really beautiful place and now on my list of places to stay @ some point in my life. Here are some photos of La Badia and the website link:
Loved your story and of course the photos and sketches.
I suggested to Melba that she keep a journal and I hope that
you are keeping one as well.
Someday along with your ” Yola fairies” this may be a wonderful documentary
for those of us who don’t like flying long lengths of time. (Smile)
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