John Denver and Other Musicians

Older readers may remember the John Denver hit, "Some Days Are Diamonds", the lyrics of which go on to say, "... some days are stone".  He was responding to a query about how he was feeling since his true love and he had parted company.  I guess you are wondering where this is headed.  Bear with me.

The lyrics to Denver's classic have famously been misheard as, "Some days are diamonds, some days are pearls..." being similar sentiment to the publicity line for Tourism Queensland (Beautiful one day, perfect the next).  In reflecting on our time in Padua, I prefer to quote the mondegreen (the line about the pearls).  It has been absolutely wonderful; perhaps some days even more wonderful than others.

See, I told you I would get there.

Tomorrow morning, clutching our pre-purchased train ticket, we will make our way to the stazione and board the train for our next destination, Orvieto, in the region of Italy called Umbria.  This region is known locally as "the green heart of Italy"; it is the only land-locked region and is famous for its emerald sloped mountains, rolling green hills, forests, tumbling rivers and lush farming land.  It will be quite different from the Veneto region, of which Padua is a main city. 

We will bid farewell tomorrow to the superb Giotto frescoes of the Scrovegni Chapel, the magnificent Basilica of St Anthony, the tranquil botanical gardens, the fresh food markets, the huge expanse of public space known as the Prato, the beautiful duomo, the coffee shops, the pastries, the wonderful sunlit piazzas and the stunning arched walkways.

We will also say goodbye (though not personally) to the tuxedo-dressed grand piano player, the old guy with the trumpet who plays "My Way" and "Hava Nagila" in a continuous loop, the chap with the piano-accordion who works his way around town, the 3-piece band of cellist, violinist and double-bassist and the fellow with the worn-out three-stringed guitar who plays and sings all day with his eyes closed. 

We will say one last firm, "No, grazie!" to the Senegalese guys selling handbags, cigarette lighters, packets of tissues, umbrellas, and watches and pass by the balloon man, the fire-juggler and the Charlie Chaplin statue impersonator, and we will walk right through the massive end-of-Autumn fare taking place today in the Prato towards today's other highlight, the Chestnut Carnival (hot roasted chestnuts and mulled wine included).  We will sit there with a glass of something and a plate of something, reflecting on all the things we will miss, then we will head back to the apartment to pack our bags in readiness for our early-morning departure.

I don't know how stable the internet connection will be, in Orvieto, so there may be a delay before you hear from us again (or not...).

D1