Castello

This week has been quite stressful.  I know that sounds rather strange, because a mission is supposed to be nice and happy and only good things happen.  But, with 29 new missionaries coming next Wednesday, we are still not positive that we will have places for them to live.  The plan was to open at least 6 new apartments plus close one that we must get out of and squeeze in the other missionaries where we can.  This will make almost all of the missionaries living 4 to an apartment.

As everyone in the office works to makes sure it will come off smoothly, the major problems have been the Italians and their ways.  It seems like nothings happens very fast.  Besides the fact that August has been the national vacation month, very few people have been available.  When they are available they are very upset and want everything to happen right now on their terms.  It has been difficult to keep a cool head and only worry and work on things that I can control.

Besides that it is the end of the month and there several month end tasks I must do for the 1st time by myself.  I ended up working from 7am to noon on Saturday to get everything done.  With that and other things that keep being added to our workload we felt that we were caught up and could take half a day off and go see The Castello.

We drove to our nearest subway station, hopped on and came up at the Piazza del Castello and saw these two statues in front of us. If you look in the background of these two you can see the entrance to the castle.

I think this guy makes wine

 

And this one makes bread

 

Nice fountain in front of the Castello.  This was a very popular tourist spot.  Several large tour groups going through with this individual headsets listening to the guide ramble on.  lots of people.  quite a few folks selling hand bags and other items on the grounds.

 



Entrance to the Castle (I must of moved on this picture - Sorry)

There were two enormous Ramparts? on either front corner.

The front gate was gigantic.  you can see old archways on either side that have been bricked over.

And of course a moat in front of the castle

On the back side of the castle was a immense park that covered about 5 times the size of the castle.  In the distance there appears to be an arch.  We did not walk that far to check it out.

Back side of the castle with its moat.  Notice the vines that were killed off and are starting to grow again.

Inside the castle grounds were many court yards and buildings that housed several museums. 

Here is an interesting fresco with an elephant.

The art work and architecture around the courtyards was amazing.

Here is the main courtyard. 

A few of the ancient statues and carvings

Many, many old columns and architectural items from the ancient times.

Main entrance coming back out.  There were fantastic apartment and office buildings built along the streets surrounding the grounds.

I have never had a class on architecture, but this stuff us pretty interesting.  We bought some post cards and wandered around the square.

Then this street looked interesting so we walked down it.  The stores and shops were all very modern and designer type clothing.  Many street restaurants along here (the kitchens must have been in the basement of these buildings.

There were several interesting folks along the walk, but I liked this guy best of all.  A happy Italian playing typical Italian music on his accordion. Look at that smile.

Here is a guy that was carving very intricate items out of food!  There were flowers and even shrimp.

We then found ourselves at a different metro stop.  Perfecto!  If you look carefully at this picture you can see the Galleria on the far left and the spires of the Duomo in the distance between the statue base and the large building.  We were at the metro stop between the Duomo and the Castello.  A perfect place to catch our ride back to the car.  We stopped at a Supermercato we had not been to before (the largest one we been at so far) and purchased a bunch of stuff for the dinner we are hosting at our apartment for the new missionaries on Wednesday evening.  We will have more to tell about that next week.  Take Care.  We love it here.  Love Marv & Peg

 

Yesterday at a new store, we finally found real tortillas, salsa, and refried beans.  And maple syrup.  Ahhh, the tastes of home.  We are going to dinner at a member's home this coming week  She is Scottish and is married to an Italian.  She is in our ward at church.  We will be home teaching a really nice family that is from the Philipines, he works at the consulate here. 

 

Yesterday and today, the Rome mission president and wife were here.  There was a big priesthood meeting for all the stakes, districts and missions in Italy.  They will be dividing the Rome stake soon.  The church is really growing here.  The temple being built in Rome has done a lot for the growth of the church and the members here.  The Rome mission president also served a mission in Italy around the same time I was here.  We had a lovely little visit when they came to look at our apartment.  Then we picked up both of the wives for church today as their husbands went to the meeting.  We really enjoyed hearing about the Rome mission.  It is very big and includes Malta and Sardinia and Sicily.  The mission home is the same one since I was here the first time.  It is a villa and when they receive new missionaries they all stay in the villa - it is really big.  My mom used to stay there on her mission to care for the mission president's 11 children when they had to be gone around the mission.  It sounds like it is a lot bigger and hotter than Milano. 

 

Friday we needed haircuts  so we made appointments at the same salon the missionaries go to.  Now we know why.  Talk about pampering. From the moment you get there you are treated so nicely.  They give head massages, sprinkle sweet conditioner on your hair, give the best haircut either one of us has ever had - very exacting and particular - and then spray you with their own special brand of cologne (one for men and one for women).  It was heavenly.  All of that for almost the same price as in the states.  We will be returning there.  They were all so nice and tried to  speak any English they had.  We have found that for the most part people here are kind and friendly. 

 

So far the only really grumpy people have been the people at the various utility companies we deal with.  One lady I end up talking to the most is kind of grinchy but now when she calls,she s p e a k s   v e r y   s l o w l y   t o    m e.  But only at first, after a minute she begins to rattle on again very quickly and I simply stare at the phone and hope I have the right info.  But by and large, we have been treated very well by the Italians.  Many seem pleased to practice their English and praise our efforts to speak their language. The shopkeepers usually are so kind and offer us things.  We love it here and are so glad we have this opportunity to serve.  This experience has helped us grow an stretch and use our brains a lot  It also keeps us physically busy too.  I wish all of you could be here to have this much fun.  Please come if you can.  Italy is a wondrous place and is waiting to ensnare your heart as it has ours.