Umbrellas bob up and down Orvieto’s main streets because, for the first time since Italy’s lockdown, shops, bars, and restaurants are open.
We are also permitted to visit with friends.
I wave to people I know who are sitting under the awning at Bar Sant’Andrea. They’re sipping wine and chatting—each at their separate tables to maintain safe social distancing—happy to finally be together again. At my favorite deli, Gastronomia Aronne, I ask Luanna to heat my vegetarian lasagna to go. Walking back to my apartment, it warms my heart to see so many of the town’s masked citizens out and about, rain and all.
I haven’t had steady work in almost two months, so spending money right now is probably not the smartest thing to do. I’ll worry about that tomorrow. Today, what matters most is supporting my community struggling to keep businesses afloat during this shitshow they call COVID-19.
I may be broke, but I’m going on a shopping spree!
Rossella Lumia and Diana Primavera of Alkimye
04022 Fondi, Province of Latina, Italy
Orvieto or Bust: 
So good to see Italy moving back into the sunlight — even if it’s liquid sunshine. We’re having showers today in Los Angeles, too. xoxo
It’s good to see people out and about, attempting to live with the virus as we wear masks and social distance. It also brings a bit of anxiety and worry. A double-edged sword, for sure. Hope you are well with you.
So happy to see Italy finally coming out of this nightmare. The minute it’s truly safe to travel again (treatment? vaccine?) we’ll be on the plane to Orvieto. Happy you’ve made it through—-work will come. Continue to stay safe.
XO
Hi Toni:
My wife Rhea & I really enjoy reading your blog “Orvieto or Bust”. It’s very entertaining, informative & insightful. We were wondering if you have a link to the episode of House Hunters International that featured you? Do you happen to know the HH episode name or number.
We have lived in Hollywood, CA. for 20 years and will be moving to beautiful Orvieto just as soon as it deemed safe to once again travel to Italy. We have a cute, little apartment which we rent in Orvieto’s Centro Storico, where we will live until we can find a house.
We were fortunate enough to meet Mandy & Bruce Bell, on our last visit to Orvieto, back in January. They are such wonderful people and they were so incredibly helpful and generous with their time.
We returned back home to L.A. about a month before the Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic.
Toni, we look forward to meeting you, sometime in the near future, when we return to Orvieto.
Best wishes –
– Stuart & Rhea Neumann
1 (323) 698-6899
stuartneumann@sbcglobal.net
1 (323) 698-6859
rheaneumann@mac.com
Hi Stuart and Rhea. Thank you so much for the kind words. The Episode is Available on Apple TV (Season 1, Episode 3). Mandy and Bruce are very lovely people. I hope that we can meet up when all this is over…and it will be over. Best to you and stay safe. Toni
Hello Toni, from Sean Dingman in the US. You spoke to us about life and possible retirement in Umbria over a year ago. We were in Orvieto over Christmas 2019, and of course loved the time we spent, and were blissfully unaware of this virus. The situation in the US had me distracted over the past few months, but I am glad to catch up on your blog. I’ll keep reading, and dreaming of returning to Orvieto. Hope you are well. We may like to speak again, especially if the international travel bands are lifted.
Hi Sean. Sorry for the late reply. I didn’t get a notification. I’m well and hope you are too. Keep me posted. Orvieto awaits! Toni