Day 9 - Hanging out around Macerata

After breakfast yesterday, we headed into Macerata, which is the biggest town around this area.  I had read that at the Cathedral, they have the biggest choir in all of Italy, and that they were singing at 11 o'clock mass - so I had to go see this.

Got to Macerata and found the Cathedral.  Choir started to assemble, and I'm thinking that it's not that big. Only 18 people - hard to believe that's the biggest choir in Italy.  Oh well - got to attend mass and hear the choir sing.

Afterwards, I was checking the map of the town.  Turns out there are two cathedrals, and I was in the wrong one.  The other cathedral, probably with the big choir, was at the other end of the old town.  I'm still amazed at the number of churches in such a small area.  Here's another one - an old one which is no longer in use.

You can see from the pavement that it was a rainy day - but that didn't stop the beach volleyball tournament which was set up in a Piazza up on the top of the hill.

This would be when we stopped for a cappuccino at a nice little café with a view of this "beach".

Afterwards, we drove around looking for a place to eat.  Turns out on Sunday, mid-day, nothing is really open.  So we drove around the countryside for quite some time, hungry, but still admiring the amazing views and old buildings in the villages.

Finally found an open grocery store, so bought some food and came back to the villa for a late lunch and some relaxation - sun had come out by this time so we were able to enjoy lunch on the terrace.

Then we went for another little drive to explore more villages around here.  Ended up in Corridonia - another cute little Italian town built on top of a hill.  Here we saw more churches, but this time there was a wedding going on.

More great views - was able to capture a sunflower field.  There are plenty around here.  I'm waiting for a nice sunny day to get a good picture of one, but you can see one here to the right of the tower.

And finally, some interesting sculptures outside people's houses.

That last one...  I don't know.  I think it's supposed to be someone helping someone else get up, but really?

Finally, ended the day back in Macerata where we watched the World Cup final on a patio pizzeria in a piazza. Not thrilled with the final result, but it was fun to watch it here it Italy.  Sad for Messi and Aguero; happy for Cindy.

Today is another rainy day, so we're going to have a museum day.  There are supposed to be some great art museums around here.  Right now, the lady of the villa just popped in and said breakfast is ready, so I'm going to eat in the lovely breakfast room.