Yesterday was a quiet but fun day.  First, we toured the garden here at the convent.  Half is mostly dedicated to herbs and small lowers and half is a rose garden.  Fruit trees are sprinkled in both halves, trellises bridge the center path, covered in wisteria and Confederate Jasmine.  Easter lilies line the perimeter.  Tiny violets and strawberries peek out here and there.  Beautiful hydrangeas in full bloom as are the roses.  Small statues litter the garden…most look very old.  On one ancient wall of the garden are plaques of the Stations of the Cross, so this could be used as an outdoor church during Lent.  We fed the two convent cats Nerony and Nerina who live in an enclosed courtyard garden.  Both are jet black with huge yellow eyes.  They are brother and sister and are ‘fixed’.  The Sisters were very emphatic about that.  

Then we went to the Market that is held on Thursdays and Saturdays.  Booths set up to sell almost anything…clothes, shoes, fabric, beads, dried fruits and nuts, cheeses, fresh vegetables, meats, fish, household goods, handbags and scarves and hats and on and on.    The. We went to a ceramic shop and bought a salt and pepper shaker set to send to the Cooking School lady as another apology for standing her up on Wednesday.  Got that to Mailboxes, Etc and on its way.  Wandered around town until I decided I needed a Diet Coke and ice.  Sat at an outdoor cafe and people watched.  Two,American ladies sat next to me and we got to talking.  Turns out we all,quilt and love Italy.  That’s the recipe for a lifelong friendship.  Exchanged emails.  We all met for lunch at the same restaurant we ate at yesterday.  I had the steak with fava bean purée and itmwasmfro tender Imused a fork to cut it.  And it had BACON on it!  How I miss my crispy bacon at home!  I took a long walk after lunch and found an old church with the doors open.  That was the only light and the church was very dark inside,so hard to see.  I could tell,that there were old frescoes painted on the pillars.  Would have been interesting to,see in the light.  Took a nap when I got back and pretty soon it was time for dinner.  Went back to last night’s place again and it was great!  Cod covered with a tomato and zucchini sauce, a meatball,plate with one plain meatball, a second encased in a zucchini and the third in a small bell pepper.  Grilled, thinly sliced beef with prune sauce and one pasta carbonara with fava bean sauce.  All delicious.  Home to bed and a good nights sleep.  Ciao!