Back in the old country again. It took us 13 years but we now celebrate our 10^th anniversary of falling in love with Italy.

After a remarkably quiet, on time (even early) nearly comfortable (but not quite of course because it was still economy) flight, we picked up our Opel Astra at the newly remodeled, roomy and almost well run car rental office in the Rome airport. We were here and on our way.

The 13 years since we started making this trip hit hard on the drive to Cortona though and exhaustion came crashing down like a ton of feather pillows making it necessary to stop twice in the 2-1/2 hour drive to rest a and revive a little. What? I can’t stay awake for 24 hours and drive the last 2 of it in an unfamiliar car in a foreign country without having to rest? Bah.

Cortona rewarded us heartily beginning with a warm welcome from Jeanette at our favorite B&B. The little town was bustling with activity on a lovely spring day.

After a restorative slice of pizza and a short nap we cleaned ourselves up and wandered out for a wonderful dinner at La Grotta. Grilled lamb, veal scallopini in lemon and herbs, sauteed spinach with garlic and lemon, eggplant and cheese souffle and spinach ricotta gnocchi in pomodoro sauce… we were fed and happy. As we left the restaurant we found ourselves in the midst of an unexpected pageant in honor of the patron saint of Cortona, Santa Margarita.

There were drum corps and trumpets from all six contrata (neighborhoods) of Cortona that converged on the Piazza della Republica, There were fires and speeches and the life of Santa Margarita was played out on the steps of the municipal hall. Representatives of the 6 contrata made contributions and paraded around the piazza all in full medieval attire… from babes in arms to the ladies and gentlemen, from the drummers and archers to the mayor. Check out the Drummin1 video.

In 13 years we had never seen a festa or a pageant or whatever in any of the perhaps 50 towns that we have visited.

It was a great way to begin our stay in Italy and end our first day.