Cortona. We arrived yesterday, tired but invigorated and anxious to see people from last year. Ti ricordi di noi? we asked, wondering if they remembered us. The warm embraces, big smiles and wonderful double cheek kisses let us know they did. I learned recently that the first kiss goes on the left cheek…funny I never knew that!
Benita L-front), Judy, Len, Michael, Sarah
Sarah, Davide, Benita
We had dinner at Taverna Pane e Vino. Unlike last year, when it was just Len and me, this trip we have a cast of characters including son Michael, daughter Benita, and her friend Sarah. Benita and Sarah are both minoring in photography and will graciously lend some of their wonderful photos to my posts.
Also, a photo with our server Davide… the girls attract a lot of attention!
Afterward, heading out for gelato, we bumped into a group of professional photographers we had met earlier. They are doing several photo shoots throughout Italy for a travel company…a dream job! They answered my Mac converter questions and I provided some info about Cortona. In Cortona, strangers seem to easily become friends.
Clay (L-front), Cornelius, Marco, Barney
Dining al fresco on Via Nazionale
Talk about feeling home again. This morning, while the others slept, Len and I went to Trattoria Taconi for our usual morning cappuccino. This is the five-table teeny restaurant where we enjoyed cappuccino each morning last year. They actually only serve pranz0, or lunch, and you eat whatever Graziella is preparing for the day, on crisp white linen table cloths, of course. Yesterday we stopped in just to say hello. This morning, while having cappuccino, I noticed four of the five tables had reservation signs on them. I asked Angelino if something special was going on, and he pointed to the largest of the tables and said, per voi…for you! Of course, a table set for five. They were expecting us for lunch. Home again!
Graziella preparing our lunch
Pasta ragu
Lingering at Trattoria Taconi (panorama courtesy of Benita)
Happy to report that the sun is shining and we are all rested and ready for adventure.
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Judy– how glorious to see you back in “print”. love that your homecoming was so joyful. Love to you, Len and Benita. Happy Memorial Day.
xoxoxox
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We are so happy to be back. Happy Memorial Day and hugs to you and your family as well!
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Seems like an effortless transition from Chicago to Cortona. Has to be great to be able to integrate so easily. Enjoy.
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And no leaks! Just lots and lots of very old beautiful beams. To borrow and Aussie word – brilliant!
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So ! I found the blog 😉 it’s wonderful …love to all, sorella Firenze xoxo
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Finalmente! Glad to have you on board.
xoxo Sorella minore
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It certainly looks like you are very much at home there! Maybe you should buy a bar! Glad you have had such a positive start to your adventure. Happy Memorial Day. I picked the last of your peonies today as a thunderstorm was forecast. It has not arrived yet,but it was a goodc excuse to pick them. Miss my walking buddy.
Xxx Glenys
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We did check out that bar and it is too small… and the pizza oven is not wood burning! Glad you have enjoyed the peonies…we are surrounded by roses here that are as big as the peonies. All our walking has really made it easy to walk the hills here.
xo
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