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Spring time in Guardia
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I've lost track of how many homes have sold in the Centro Historico of Guardia since the househunting adventures began. In the last few months alone, five houses have sold! , and people continue to arrive. It has been an incredible experience to connect with people thinking about going, encouraging them to take the leap, and hearing them excitedly tell the tale of how they found "the one"!!.
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Bella Guardia Magica at Dusk
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This April, there was one week when the stars aligned and everyone's plans to visit Guardia overlapped.. There would be almost 20 of us that bought homes as well as a few new house hunters in Guardia all at one time! There was no way that I could miss out on all the fun!
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One of the beautiful courtyards in Guardia
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My travel to Guardia was much less dramatic than other times. I traveled with just a carry-on to avoid the lost luggage issues (How many times can one person lose their luggage, before they get the message and learn to pack lighter!!) .. as a good friend reminded me, "it's not the stuff the you carry with you, but the memories that you bring back that count"
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Fun Times with Glenn and Derrick!
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I also decided to take the train all the way into the closest train station from Guardia, which is Telese, Cerreto (just a few minutes drive from Guardia) . I really didn't need a car this trip since everything in Guardia is just a 10 minute walk away, and I thought this was more economical than renting a car.
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Waiting for my train in Termini
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From Rome, the train runs every few minutes from the Fumicino airport to the Termini, the main train station in Rome (costs 14 euros each way). Once in the Termini station, I purchased tickets from Termini to Telese Terme. (costs approximately 14 euros each way). Total cost, round trip 56 Euros. There are several trains every day that will get you there, some faster than others. The Termini station is huge! and has plenty of shops and places to grab an expresso and a panino, so not a bad place to sit and watch the world go by.
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Views from the train
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You can go to the Trenitalia website and check train schedules and prices.
I arrived at to find Luigi's smiling face waiting for me at the train station,and was instantly home.
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Our new kitchen table (seats 12) and just perfect!
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The view I've come to love..
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It was so exciting to see how everyone's houses had come along!!. Some had purchased real fixer uppers, and had completed major renos.. while others were just starting to get settled in. It is incredible to see some of the transformations that have taken place...
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Glenn and Derricks kitchen before..
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...and wallah!!! the magical transformation of the kitchen today!!!
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Kerry just found her dream home :) So happy for you!!
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Odd things you find in these ancient homes!
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Someone's got renos underway!
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Glenn & Jody doing some DIY projects in their home..
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The week passed quickly in a flurry of dinners, parties and social gatherings. Not surprisingly, everything seems to revolve around food, wine and friends..
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Just an afternoon out and who do I run into?? - Melanie, Pam,& Jeff, Annette, and Glenn - all homeowners in Guardia.
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- My favorite way to spend an afternoon.. at the Tana dell Orso catching up with Anna, while she gives me an impromptu cooking lesson in her kitchen.
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Stuffed artichokes anyone? Yummmm!!
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- A night of magic at Capuozzo..
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Thank you Pasquale for bringing all of this together for one very special night!!
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- Wonderful housewarming dinners..
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Thank you Leila & Ken for one of the most amazing spreads I have ever seen!! So excited to finally meet you in person!
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...and for reminding us that its not the size of the kitchen that determines the meal..
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every bit as delicious as it looks!!
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Your house looks amazing!
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- Thank you Roberto V and Garry for a night none of us will ever forget! The laughter (and wine) was non-stop!
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Garry welcoming us to their newly renovated casa!! - Stunning!!!
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Sometimes you find the most amazing things in these old cantinas.. recycled wine jug
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Vino on the terraza - what a view!
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RV - The life of every party!! and my favorite Cuban!!
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Garry - the hostess with the mostest!
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This was the wine from the grapes we harvested in September.. it was really really good! .. and did not last long with this bunch :) Grazie Gigia & Francesco!!
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- and dinners at some of our favorite restaurants...
- Sometimes its as simple as spending an afternoon visiting with these four beautiful ladies of Piazza Croce. You can find them on this park bench on any sunny day in Guardia. They have lived here all of their lives, and have so many stories to share.
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Bellismas!
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- And sometimes when you're just walking around Guardia, you stumble across some of the most amazing places that you had no idea existed..
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Just on the other side of an ancient door I've walked past 100's of times,,,
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..lies a cantina with a multimedia hi tech sound video system .. (includes interactive shredded paper)
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.. and underground art studio that seems to go forever!!
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Am I still in Guardia??!!
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Just like all the other times, the departure from Guardia was abrupt, suddenly its just time to go! .. and I hurriedly packed my bags and boarded the train for Rome, and thinking about all the great memories I was bringing home from this trip.
Being part of this shared experience has grown into many beautiful friendships. We will one day, hopefully be neighbors, and share joys and sorrows. Mostly, we share our passion for adventure, memories of wonderful meals, and side splitting laughter.
Salute.. alla prossima bella Guardia!!
