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Anticipation!

7 Apr

With the calendar reading April, I am filled with anticipation. As I look out the window, or take walks, my eyes are surrounded with the signs of spring…plants pushing aside their winter hibernation as they eagerly seek sunshine; trees coming to life and showing off their annual budding ritual.

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In addition to spring, I am also anticipating our return to Cortona. According to local friend Patricia, spring is also in the air.

“April 3rd was a fine day.  It wasn’t very warm but the sun was shining and it felt like spring.  This made everybody particularly happy because of an Italian proverb:

Terzo Aprilante, quaranta dì durante, 

or as some say,

Terzo aquilante, quaranta dì durante.

That means that if it rains on April 3rd, it will rain for 40 days!  After all the rain we have had, nobody could bear the thought of that, so the sunny day was a great relief!”

Sure hope the proverb holds true!

So, on this sunny Sunday, a few other things I look forward to in Cortona:

Getting back to piazza life –

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Taking in the incredible vistas –

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 Marveling at the architecture –

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Strolling the local markets –

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Enjoying simply delicious food –

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Sharing some incredible vino –

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Being immersed in “Italian class” every day –

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And after walking for miles, sometimes just hanging out with Len in Piazza Gharibaldi, watching tourists come and go, and feeling, if only for a short time, that we belong to this little piece of heaven – 

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Perfetto!

Ciao,

Judy

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Update on Cortona Spring

30 Mar

News from Patricia in Cortona:

Unfortunately, everything has had to be  cancelled this year due to rain.  No procession.  No lanterns.  Just grey sky and rain.  But trees are in blossom and little green leaves are shooting, so Spring MUST be here really.  Happy Easter –  Buona Pasqua from Cortona.

Thanks, Patricia. And to my friends in Cortona, wishing you sunny days…

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endless blue skies…

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And a good glass of vino!

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Ciao!

Judy

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Springtime in Cortona

29 Mar

Cortona Spring is more than just a time of year. In the town of Cortona, it is a week of events commemorating spring and Easter week.

Tonight, on Good Friday, there’s a procession through the streets. Men carrying statues of Christ from various churches process through town. The statues, large and heavy, are carried on the shoulders of strong men in hooded cloaks.

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Others carry large crosses in the procession.

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Locals and visitors follow behind as the procession, which begins at the Church of Santo Spirito, passes several other churches and eventually ends in the historic Piazza della Repubblica.

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Patricia, my local friend, describes the procession as “quite dramatic.” On Saturday evening, assuming the weather cooperates, the skies above Cortona will once again be lit by lanterns (minus the Christmas decorations!).

Chinese lanterns Cortona 29 12 12 2

On Sunday, as in many parts of the world, families will gather at one of the many beautiful churches in Cortona to celebrate Easter. Later in the day, in their homes, they will gather with family and friends to feast on traditional dishes and Easter specialties.

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Whatever your traditions may be, I hope you have time to celebrate them with family and friends.

 

Buona Pasqua a tutti!

Ciao,

Judy

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More About those Lanterns

11 Jan

Some updates from yesterday’s post:

After Patricia sent me the originals details, including that the lanterns were made of tissue paper, I did some research on them. The ones I found were fire resistant, but apparently not so true for the ones launched in Cortona. Per Patricia, the following updates:

The lanterns weren’t fire resistant at all! In fact if you weren’t careful they caught fire before taking off, and some did just that.  

Also, it is the second time Cortona has had these lanterns but the first time wasn’t last Christmas.  It was meant to be for Valentine’s Day, 2012, and held  on the nearest Saturday to 14th February, but Cortona was under snow so it was postponed and done in March to welcome Spring instead.

 

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So, who knows which season the next lantern launch will celebrate? Only the weather can tell for sure!

Ciao,

Judy

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Lanterns above Cortona

11 Jan

We often think of traditions as steeped in history, handed down from generation to generation. Yet every day, every year, and in any place, a new tradition can be born. Such is the case in Cortona, where a new tradition has begun. This event was scheduled for December 26, but a rainy night forced a three-day postponement.

On December 29, a lovely Saturday evening, many gathered in Piazza della Repubblica for the second annual lighting of the lanterns.

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People from neighboring Arezzo, dressed as Father Christmas, organized the event and provided music and entertainment for the delighted children and all who joined in the celebration.

The details and accompanying photos are from Patricia, my local friend, who continues to enlighten me with winter happenings in Cortona.

Each lantern is about 32” tall by 22” wide and made of fire resistant paper. A fuel cell (looks like a piece of coated cardboard) is included and attached to a wire frame at the bottom of the lantern.

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At 6 PM, there was a countdown. Together, people lit the fuel cells, released the lanterns, and, of course, made a wish. I so prefer wishes to resolutions!

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Quite a number of people, some local and many from regions throughout Italy, filled the normally quiet- in- winter piazza that special evening and watched wide-eyed as the sky above the piazza glowed with floating lights.

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No matter from which region they hailed, those gathered enjoyed a spectacular evening and helped carry on a young tradition.

Weather permitting, the lanterns can fly about 1/3 mile – an amazing sight for sure. Once their flames die, the lanterns float slowly to the ground. And while the flames may die, the young tradition continues and Patricia’s lovely photos provide an incredible image that will linger for a long time.

Ciao,

Judy

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Cortona above the fog!

22 Dec

One of the most beautiful things about Cortona is that it is situated on a hillside at an altitude of over 1600 feet. This elevation provides amazing views of the valley below, called the Valdichiana. Looking out from Piazza Garibaldi, you can see Camucia, the town at the base, as well as Lake Trasimeno, the historical scene of Hannibal’s’ ambush of the Roman army in 217 BC.

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Even on a cloudy day, the views are endless and incredible, but the winter views sent to me by my friend Pat were totally unexpected, and in her word, spectacular! My photos from last summer and Pat’s from last week were taken from the same vantage point, Piazza Garibaldi.

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As Pat explains, “It happens quite often in the winter.  Camucia is in thick fog, and as you drive up the hill to Cortona, you suddenly come out of it into a different world.  It’s like being in an airplane above the clouds. Spectacular!”

With gratitude to Pat for sharing, truly spectacular, indeed!

Ciao,

Judy

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Christmastime in Cortona

15 Dec

I just finished addressing our 2012 Christmas cards and am delighted that we now count among our friends several people we have met in Italy. Having the opportunity to befriend locals has enabled us to more fully embrace the Italian culture and is also the reason we consider Cortona our home away from home.

Although I have many photos of Cortona in the summer, I have wondered what Cortona looks like dressed up for Christmas. Fortunately, my friend Pat has obliged me, and offers the following:

These photographs … were taken on different days and always at about six/seven o’clock, so you can see for yourself how quiet Cortona is!  It will liven up on Christmas Eve, or perhaps even on the Saturday before …when people who have moved away for work or family reasons come back to spend the holiday period with relations still living here.

Natale 2012 Piazza della Repubblica

Natale 2012 Piazza della Repubblica

Natale 2012 Piazza della Repubblica

Natale 2012 Piazza della Repubblica

Natale 2012 Via Nazionale

Grazie, Pat, for the description and these most enjoyable photos! With all the locals warm inside their homes, I’m sure the delicious aromas from their cooking are filling the open spaces.

Ciao,

Judy

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Cortona Sagra della Bistecca – Beef Steak Festival

18 Aug

Ferragosto…an Italian word filled with celebration.

The Latin “Feriae Augusti” denoted the “August Rest” which was a month-long holiday period proclaimed in the 18th century by emperor Augustus. It was a time when people could relax after all the hard work associated with the harvest and the end of the year’s main agricultural work. It was also a time when nobility mixed with the workers.

Over time, the festival shortened to a few weeks and eventually became a one-day event, celebrated on August 15 each year. For Italians, this bank holiday combines elements of both ancient and Christian worlds, as August 15 also commemorates the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Cities throughout Italy celebrate this day with great festivals. If you happened to be  in Cortona, you no doubt enjoyed the annual Sagra della Bistecca, or beef steak festival, held in the normally quiet Parterre, or public garden pictured here.

For the festival, the quiet setting is transformed. An enormous grill, some 14-meters long, is erected. Locals don chef’s aprons, and with extra long forks, lovingly go about the work of grilling mouth-watering T-bone steaks, Italian sausages, and spareribs for the locals who have crowded the park to enjoy the celebration with family and friends.

Photo: “Classic Tuscan Homes”

Local wines and cheeses compliment the grilled meats and make for a perfect feast and day of relaxation. If interested, I’ve included a You Tube clip of the Cortona event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anpiFhse558

Hmmm… grilled steaks for dinner tonight?

Ciao,

Judy

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From Cappucino to Vino and More!

19 Jul

This year, we added a few places to our morning routine. Bar Sport Caffe Sandy sits on a corner strategically between the two main piazzas of Cortona. It has two entrances, one facing each piazza, a large outdoor seating and two inside dining areas. The owners, Mirko and Elena, son Nando and wife Pia, are always there to greet with a smile, although they were looking rather serious for this photo! They make great cappuccino, and it’s only 1.1euro, or about $1.30 a cup, and NOT served in a paper cup! Civilized. The name Sandy actually refers to the coffee brand.

One of the great things about cafes in Italy is that they are full service from morning till closing. In the morning, people order their preferred form of coffee…espresso, cappuccino, café latte, etc., often accompanied by a dolce, or pastry, or a panini. They can choose to sit inside or out, or stand at the counter, as they read the paper or talk to friends about the latest news.

 

Typically at Italian cafes, the drink menu is not limited to coffee. Bar Sport Caffe Sandy has a full bar and a huge variety of liquors, which some people, more often tourists, choose as their morning pick me up. In addition, lighter menus are available for lunch and dinner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes after dinner, we stop in for a glass of wine, chat with people we meet, or just enjoy people watching in the piazza. If you stop at Sandy’s for a nightcap, don’t be surprised if a lovely plate of bruscettas accompanies your drink… on the house. All part of the experience, all part of the fun. All in all, Bar Sport Caffe Sandy is a great casual spot, day or night!

Ciao,

Judy

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Renting in Cortona: Il Roseto

17 Jul

This summer, we rented Il Roseto, the name referring to the lovely garden at the front of the house. The immaculate home is on one floor, no steps, and was comfortably spacious to accommodate all of us.  Besides large rooms and modern baths, one of the best features is the outside patio with a large umbrella table and a covered swing, all surrounded by roses and geraniums.

We found the rental through VRBO: Il Roseto. It is owned by Fernando and Anna, brother and sister, who grew up in the house. They have lovingly restored it, yet kept the charm of wood beams, stone and tile. They are very attentive to the needs of their guests and made us feel very at home in their home.

There are two large bedrooms, each with a queen bed, and one smaller room with bunk beds.

                           

The family room has a sofa that doubles as an incredibly comfortable king size bed. There is also a large dining table, which we used for our computers, and a large TV. WIFI works throughout the house as well as outside.

Across the hall is the breakfast room with another dining table and through it the kitchen, small but functional. And after all, who wants to cook too much when there are so many great and reasonable restaurants in Cortona!

The house has two modern baths, each with shower, and all the hair appliances we needed. Sorry about the towels!

Across the front patio, there is a small structure that houses the washer AND dryer, unusual in Italy. There is also a BBQ grill, which Len mastered.

Finally, the location is great. It is inside the city walls, located not far from the Porta Colonia entrance, making parking easy when we had a car. It is also just a few minutes walk to the main piazzas and everything in town, including the buses to nearby cities. Living right in the heart of a neighborhood is exactly what we like.

A great find, a great stay. Grazie, Fernando and Anna!

Ciao,

Judy

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