Massimo and PInuccia arrived from Lecco (Milan) for their first escape to Umbria.  In 2003, I toured Italy with a large group with my then English professor/friend Michelle, Massimo's cousin.  While the others went on an explore of Pisa, Michelle and I were escorted to the darling town of Montecatini for an entire day of all things "truly Italian".

This was my first exposure to the kindness and hospitality of amici and we have been friends ever since.  So after dinner and catching up, we played SCRABBLE® (they in English, we in Italian) and headed to bed.  Tomorrow, a road trip through Umbria.