thank ya, thank ya very much

"That one is allowed to own such ancient things seems impossible to me."

-Under the Tuscan Sun

Can I bore you for a minute? Thanks! ok, I just want to explain how awesome it is to live in this palace. Yesterday and today, I learned a lot about the importance of the Chigi (KEE - gee) family. The Palazzo Chigi was started in the 16th century by the Sevelli family. In 1664, it was purchased by the Chigi family and transformed into the baroque home and collection of art. To transform the palace into the beautiful home it is, the Chigi family commissioned the famous artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini to plan and design the interiors. Bernini actually signed a painting he did on stone on the wall of the family chapel (this is extremely important and rare).

The Chigi family received it's fame and fortune when Alexander VII (a member of the family) became the pope. The family symbol (5 mountains with a star above) are found all through Italy because anything that was built or that happened during any specific Pope's rule is forever in his name. As we were visiting other towns today, we would see the symbol everywhere! The main Chigi palace is in Rome, but the palace we live in was a second home for the family and was given to the town of Ariccia in 1988 by Prince Agostino Chigi Albani della Rovere. He had no heir, and decided to pass the home on to be preserved and properly cared for. The history, art, and beauty contained in its walls are undescibable, and I am so blessed to call this magnificent place and family my home. I am officially a Chigi!

that was longer than i expected... sorry! ok, onto normal things.

Today, we all toured around the neighboring towns of Ariccia in the region of Castelli Romani. These towns, including Ariccia, are actually older than Rome itself! The first town we went to was called Frascati. The first thing we saw when we drove up was a beautiful villa... oh, just another summer home for an aristocratic family! Romans live the life, lemme tell ya! Frascati is famous for my now-favorite dessert: the three-breasted lady. Two breasts are for milk,

and the middle one is for wine. The lesson from this famous lady? Stay young and have fun!

We ate lunch in the town of Nemi. Amazing. Best pasta so far in italy. Nemi overlooks 1 of the 2 crater lakes in the Castelli Romani. Our restaurant had a beautiful view... but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that our waiter was obsessed with elvis. No, really. He was OBSESSED with elvis. He was wearing elvis glasses,

and thick sideburns, and had long hair. The program used to go to this restaurant every year until he started stalking a faculty member named Suzanna. Yes, hes a bit crazy. But it made for an interesting meal! There were elvis posters and an elvis motorcycle in the restaurant. The pic to the right is us at lunch.. we tried to get a pic of elvis man, but failed. Goodbye for now, dear friends! i love you all and miss you all greatly! skype me!!!