Our Second Day— Tuesday at Oropa and Biella; Dinner at the Aimone Family

On Tuesday, even though it was cloudy and rainy we went out on our own after a late breakfast, sleeping till 9:30.  We went to the Sanctuary of Oropo.  It is about 1/2 hour drive up the mountain.  There is a large sanctuary with Basicllica and also 12 chapels that are situated all over for walking on the hill.  We walked all over - up and down.  Very beautiful - Most of the chapels also built around 1200, all have carved statues in them symbolizing religious stories.  There were also cows grazing complete with cow bells that sang to us most of the time. 

After that we drove back into Biela and walked about for an hour or so just to get the feel of it.  We will go back for a longer visit later this week.  In the evening we had been invited to go to dinner at the home of Irene Aimone and her family.  She and David have been corresponding for several years.  They are pretty sure that they are also related but have been unable to find the connection.  We went to the home of her family and had dinner with her parents, Erica and Claudio and she and her brother Andre.  They all live together.  

The parents spoke no English but Irene can manage so there was a lot of translating back and forth.  A very lovely family and they took the time to prepare a meal with authentic food of Piedmonte.  So there was to start, stuffed onions and this cheese log with herbs, next was a cheese risotto, third course was bagna calda with vegetables.  Dessert was stuffed peach halves, then came coffee and grapa.  Again also wine throughout.  Wow, I actually ate most of it.  Delicious but really a lot of rich food.  It was a lovely evening and it was great to go to a private home for dinner with a family that lives here.  We were also told that most people from this region stay close to home.  Both of the children are in their 30’s but since neither are married they still live at home and even if they do they probably do not move far.  

So I have caught up now.  It is Wednesday morning as I finish this entry and we have just finished again a late breakfast.  We are here this morning for a bit and later are going to a lake about an hour away with another of David’s FB connections.  This couple is part American so the communication will be much easier.  It is so lovely here at Il Tallucca I could just stay here all the time.  

Until next time, hope all of you are well at home. 

— Ellen

PS..... I will post more photos soon.... — David