It is September 2nd. What a long HOT summer we have endured. Yesterday we had our first rain since April – over 100 days with nary a drop! It is so dry. Many trees are already dropping their leaves. The Umbrian grape harvest is predicted to be down 40%. But they do say the vintage will be epic quality. When I got up this morning I heard the sound of gunfire from all around. Then I realized the beginning of the hunting season starts in September. Signs of autumn. It is clear and cool today after our storms.
Thursday marked the begining of our annual Otto Cento festival. It will be our fourth. They moved it up into late August this year. Until now it has been on the third weekend in September. We went out last night for dinner with friends. During the festa all the regular restaurants change over to set menus. Last night we had four courses, water, vino and coffee for 25 Euro a head. There are also around 15 or 20 pop-up restaurants along with numerous stands selling specialty things and drinks. The stilt walkers were back. So ethereal and graceful. There was a puppet show for the kids going on.
After dinner we walked around the town and looked at all the action. There were millions of people out and about. Umbertide has seen a decline in summer activities this year so I think everyone was ready for the party now. Here are some pictures of the festival scenes.
One of the pop up venues. Notice the costumed folks over on the right. There were lots of people in costume this year.
One of the busy street scenes.
Moon over la Rocca. A beautiful evening for the celebration.
As we headed back home we decided to pay a call on our Briganti. They are the bad-boys always up to no good but really the most fun place. Here is a group of the Briganti musicians.
He is my favorite Brigand. He has a great smile.
And of course, the bad boys and girls must have the brothel with the Ladies of the Night.
I will check back on the Briganti during the night Saturday when they take over the town. It is all part of the reenactment of the events in the late 1800s forming the Italian country. Usually the Briganti do something naughty to shock everyone. You can look back at past September posts to see previous years. Hopefully, I can get pictures on Sunday morning of the mayhem wreaked on Saturday night and early Sunday before the authorities remove it.
We stopped by to see my friend Angelo who owns the Alimentari downstairs from us. He was is a great mood. He had transformed his shop for the festival.
And, of course, we paid a brief visit to Bar Mary to find Mary manning the bar. They also serve snacks during the festival.
A final observation. I have NEVER met an Italian who did not love to have his or her picture taken. They are cute.
Carlo, latest pictures will be posted soon. Not as creative as recent years. Alas!
Hi! I DID see the corn but didn’t try it. After my recent purchase I was a bit leery to say the least. I’m always happy to meet anyone around here. Please send me an email so we can get aquatinted. Nancy22314 at yahoo dot com. 🙂
I don’t know… I was hoping to see the phalic symbol of guy power again! 😎
Hi Nancy! I’ve been meaning to write for months…I’m from Arcadia and now living just outside of Umbertide. My family and I were at the festival on Friday! I wanted to send you a pic of the grilled corn they were selling…my daughters each got one and really enjoyed them, however, I immediately understood the sweet corn you miss from the US. All-in-all it was a great night for the whole family.
I don’t know about the tattoo. I’m guessing the hair is a wig. Not sure though. He’s a cutie. I too, love the ladies outfits be sure to look at September 2015 archive post on the Otto. Lots of girls pics as well as one of me.
Couldn’t wait to look at this blog…still in JAX. Wonderful photos from you again! Can’t figure out what is the tattoo on the arm of the cute guy with pointy had and long hair. Real. Hair or wig? Love those dresses the gals are wearing, in my younger days I would have squeezed into one and put on my fish net stockings! What fun!