Yesterday was a full day of all-things-italian – from traveling around tuscany and umbria taking in the hill towns and vineyards to visiting an amazing basilica  to having a “slow” Italian dinner in a tiny hill town with a view to die for. And then there were those  old guys with the big white  balloons on their heads…

Here’s how the day went:

First we had a quick breakfast at Sax Wine Bar (no we did not have wine with breakfast although  that would not have been a problem for anyone)_. Then we headed out to the town of  Assisi, home to St. Francis. It was one of the places on our must-see -in-IItaly list. We toured the amazing Basilica of St. Francis. We learned a lot about St. Francis of Assisi while taking in this beautiful church = which actually has three churches on three levels. We were all impressed.

Then we walked around Assisi and ran into the most bizarre encounter of the trip yet.  A couple dozen older men all dressed in white with (we kid you not) big white balloons on their heads were walking down  the center of the street (small hill town street) They also had two or three white convertible cars with them and  a couple of loudspeaakers – over which  they played the themes to Star Wars and 2001: A Space odyssey. They eventually marched down the street in a sort of parade, saying something in Italian overr the speakers. We could not understand a thing but it was hilarious, truly. One of them held Flat (actually Creased Benjamin) up so we could snap a picture (see photo).All of thse guys were at least 65 or older and they all seemed to be having a good time. We’re just not sure if there was a point to the whole thing. If you find anything on the Internet that would explain this bizarre occurrence, let us know.

Next we decided to check out a little hilltown near Montepuclaino  (Lucca, whose flat we are renting, had recommendded it  and a restaurant there to us).  We arrived at Montichello around 5:30- and had some wine and bruschetta at La Porta (the restaurant). Dinner was not served until 7:30 so the very kind owner of the restaurant told us  to take a walk around town and then come back and we could have some more wine and appetizers and dinner would be just abvout ready. She didn’t want us to pay for what we’d just eaten/drank until later after dinner (Italians are sooo trusting_).. So we went for a leisurely walk around the beautiful town, met a couple of cats (cats seemed to be very popular in Italy) and wandered  back to the restaurant.We had a sumptuous meal, with more bruschetta, gnocchi, ravioli, citi, white beans and heavenly Fiorentina steak -and, of course, much wine. 🙂

It was a great day…