I slept in, but did wake before Dan and managed a shower. This place we are in has extremely small bathrooms — one can barely move in the sink area, and then there’s a shower (actually roomier than some we’ve had in the past). The toilet is outside our room in the hallway and it, too, is quite small. I think they must have just taken the smallest amount of space they thought they could use for these little rooms.

I know, not news you can use.

But I’m sharing it anyway, and even sharing some exciting photos.

I took a nice warm shower and after getting ready went downstairs. And oh those stairs. No hand rail with these wooden, could be slippery, stairs. Needless to say, we are all somewhat cautious … or maybe I should only speak for myself …?

As expected Greg was already up. He had, in fact, gone to get food and had had his coffee. But hey, I was the second one up. I made my coffee and sat down to do some reading and writing on my iPad.

Next up was Timothy, followed by Dan and Jan. We had all agreed last night that we would just rise when we felt like it: Ring Cycle days will be slow and easy, and, at least for me, include a nap.

We did finally sit down to breakfast, and Margaret joined us there. Thank you, Greg, for getting all the goodies!

And then, for me at least, it was nap time. And oh did I nap! I guess I’m still not quite over jet lag. Or maybe Wagner does me in. Who knows? But since tonight’s opera was significantly longer than last night’s, I knew that nap would be necessary.

After sleeping I went back downstairs to find only Dan left in the house. Texting the others Greg wrote back to say they’d be back in fifteen minutes so we waited for them, then grabbed the key (there are only two for this place) and we went out to take a rather short walk and enjoy the air and sites.

We also needed to pick up a few things and eventually wound up at Eataly. There are always fun things to find there, and with memories from earlier trips we ended up picking up some Chianti Classico, a bottle of Vin Santo, some cantuccini, and bread sticks. All health food, as you can see.

We also picked up grapes as we were walking back and passed a nice spot. The red grapes are quite yummy!

The final tiny market was merely for paper towels. How thrilling is that?

Then back “home” we came.

At about 4:00 we set up what would suffice for dinner. Greg had brought his lentil dish from home, so that was heated up, and we had a charcuterie tray full of goodness.

At 5:00 it was time to walk to the opera since it was a 6:00 start. I’m so glad we are able to walk there: when I had looked at the map I thought we would have to get a cab each night, but not so! It’s quick and easy and a nice, refreshing walk.

The opera … well … fabulous singing and such odd stage direction. They even had a robo dog and when it was featured again in the next act people actually booed. It deserved that. Or at least the director did. I guess the dog doesn’t deserve anything at all.

The singers, though, and the fabulous music … that was worth it. The audience even stood at the end (which meant we had to to see anything).

When we got back home we did eat a bit and converse a lot. So much to say … so of course we didn’t get to bed until nearly 1:00 AM. Guess I’ll try and sleep in tomorrow.

Cheers!