Nella terra di Caròte

In the Land of Carrots

Viterbo is a city in the Lazio region of Italy (the same region as Roma).  It’s the fifth largest city in the region and also was part of the papal states.  It has a very Tuscan feel, however, because is very close to the Tuscan border.  (Actually, part of the University of Tuscany is in the walls of Viterbo.)  Notice how I said “walls of Viterbo”.  Viterbo is a medieval town, but dates back even farther to the times of the Etruscans.

Viterbo has two patron saints: Santa Rossa and San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence).

It took about 1hr 45mins to get to Viterbo from Roma (but only cost 1euro!).  We passed through many cute towns that I hope to get the chance to explore.  The first thing I saw when I got off the train (outside the city walls) was a McDonalds.  I was a little bummed, because I had heard that this was such an old town and we were out of the city.  Good news: Once you walked through the city walls, the outside world was exactly that.  Being inside the walls was like being in a completely foreign place.  (I realize it is a foreign place to me, but I mean foreign from my new home in Rome.)

walls leading into the city

Having gotten up quite early to catch the train, everyone was feeling a bit drained and needed a burst of energy…..first stop was in a café for a cappuccino (something that you can only order in the morning, if you try to order a cappuccino after noon, you will be looked at like you are crazy).  I have yet to try a cappuccino.  Once the caffeine was running through people’s bodies we set out on a mission to conquer the city.  

Ironically, I entitled this blog, “In the Land of Carrots”, but I did not actually eat a carrot here, nor did I see anything indicating the production of them.  So where did that come from?  In my food and wine class, my teacher briefly mentioned that Viterbo is known for their carrots, so I thought, since I had been there, that this was a very interesting piece of information. 

Santa Rosa was a gorgeous church on top of a hill.  Her body was on display inside, and it is only slightly decayed.  Her body has been in the church since the 1200s.  An interesting fact about Saint Rose is that she wanted to join a convent, but with each attempt to enter one, she was turned away.

Viterbo was filled with fountains.  One was in the middle of a Piazza that we thought was very cute and looked like it was the typical Italian piazzas you see in movies.  Then we saw the name; it was called Piazza della morte, or place of the dead. 

My favorite place in Viterbo was the duomo, San Lorenzo.  I may be biased because St. Lawrence is my name saint, but stepping inside the church gave me the chills. Although it was very chilly inside,  so that can be attributed to either a feeling of awe or simply the weather, but maybe a combination of both.  San Lorenzo was an amazing saint.  His story is magnificent.  San Lorenzo is said to have had a great sense of humor, and always joking around.  (Maybe that’s why I’m so funny) When he was martyred, he died, in my opinion, the most brutal death.  He was grilled to death.  Legend has it that while being grilled, San Lorenzo said something along the lines of, “this side's done, turn me over and have a bite”. 

Anyway, back to the church.  The ceiling was made of wood, and the inside was very beautiful.  It wasn't like any of the other churches I've been in.  It didn't have as many elaborate details, but something about the simplicity made it even more beautiful. 

There was a really beautiful prayer that I’d like to share.  My translation of it might be a little rough, but I think I was able to get the idea of it.

“SIGNORE,Loes,

Ti chiedo che questo cero che ho acceso

SIA LUCE

Perchè Tu bruci in me

Ogni egoismo, orgoglio, impurita

SIA FIAMMA

Perche Tu riscldi il mio cuore

Ora non posso restare a lungo

Nella Tua Chiesa

Lasciando bruciare questo cero,

è un po’ di me che voglio lasciarTi,

Aiutmi aprolungaarela mia preghiera

Nelle attivitta di questa giornata,

Grazie!”

I ask you that this truth that I have lit

is light

Because you burn in me

Every selfishness, pride, impurity

is flame

Because you live in my heart
I am not able to remain in your churceh
leaving this candle burning

I am leaving to burn this certainly

And a little of me that wants to leave you

Help me to prolong my prayers

In the activities of this day

Thank you.

Like I said, I don't actually know if that's the correct translation.  I'll have to ask my teacher to help me with some of it, but you can get the idea of it

The city was very medieval, like I mentioned, and the cobblestone streets were very narrow and quaint.  Here’s an idea of some of the look of the town.

Italians have this great way of life.  They take siestas around 1 or 2 in the afternoon until 4ish.  Everything closes down, and they can have lunch with their families, take a nap, etc.  This was not a wonderful way of life during our day in Viterbo.  It's a bit frustrating when even the churches lock up for those few hours.

Random Facts

1.       Italians start smoking at way too young of an age.

2.       I do not like nutella. 

3.       I have heard very little Italian music.  Everything they play here is American.  It is nice to hear Lady Gaga…..question though…would you listen to a bunch of music you don’t understand the words to?  Also, their music videos are terrible. 

4.  Dogs are EVERYWHERE.  trains. grocery stores. buses.  literally everywhere.