Letter #2

Time is moving so quickly—somehow, we’re already in June! The Tuscan sun is shining strong, and I’ve gotten my first sunburn of the summer (despite wearing sunscreen!). This week, I took a trip to the beach with some of the other staff members, and it felt amazing to finally swim in the sea. I’ve been wanting to take a dip since I arrived, and now that I’ve gone once, I think I’ll have to make it a weekly habit.

I’m learning that Tuscany is a tapestry of small towns, each with its own charm—and names I can barely pronounce! One such town, Roccatederighi, sits high in the hills and is absolutely enchanting. There, we dined at a wonderful restaurant called De Nada Locanda Toscana, known for their thick, handmade pasta prepared to order. Sitting on their terrace, watching the sun set over the rolling landscape, I was once again in awe of this place. Time may be flying, but moments like that make me pause, take a breath, and feel deeply grateful to be here.

Another thing I’ve come to truly appreciate is the culture. I still have so much to learn and observe, but this past Sunday, I sat in our little town of Montieri and just watched life unfold—people gathering in the streets, chatting in small groups, kids running and playing, nonnas selling their hand-painted tea cloths, and nonnos offering hand-carved olive wood bowls and spoons. There’s such a strong sense of community, and I love it. Even though I speak very little Italian, I can tell that communication is treasured here—it’s full of passion, warmth, and expression. I’m fascinated by how people speak with their hands and how their words flow so beautifully.

Inspired by this, I’ve decided to dedicate this week to learning more of the language. I recently came across an Italian copy of Anne of Green Gables, one of my favorite stories. I’ve started using it to learn new words and phrases, and maybe—just maybe—by the end of my stay, I’ll be able to read it aloud and truly understand what I’m saying.

Work at the hotel remains both busy and fulfilling. It’s always satisfying to see a project come together. This past week, we completed the finishing touches on our co-working space, and it’s already being used regularly! We’re now pressing pause on other projects as we prepare to host a Brazilian wedding this weekend. It’s the first of many to come this season—this one alone will fill all 35 rooms with the wedding party.

Until next time.

With love,
Holly