Cortona 2010

Cortona!

Always the same heading up this hill, it never fails to

delight me!

I first came to Cortona over 10 years ago, as a result of

having done a junior year abroad in Florence

over 30 years ago.

Or as they say so politely in Italian:

Diversi anni fa...

(Some years ago)

This is what you say when the number of years ago REALLY

starts to tell your age, so you just say vaguely:

Some years ago...

Anyway, I like that, as the college experience is now just not

a few years back, it is

Diversi anni fa...

Duomo, Florence

So, I had the good fortune to be spending my junior year in college,

in Florence, Italy,

with an extraordinary group of kids from all over

California and had an EXTRAORDINARY

resident director who was from San Jose State,

Duilio Peruzzi.

He was originally from Cortona, Italy,

still had family and friends there, and

has always traveled back and forth to

Cortona his entire life.

10 + years ago, Rob and I set about realizing a dream:

to move to Italy for a year with our young kids, put them in

Italian elementary school for a year and give them the

experience of living in a foreign country.

We chose Cortona, because Duilio connected us with

his family there and we were made to feel

so welcome and at home.

We have been returning there every year since, and it

truly is a home to us.

Duilio is often there as well when we return.

He lives down the street from us in Cortona,

and it is always a joy to see him about town.

He possesses the gift of gab, as do many Italians,

so I was able to catch some candid shots of him at the weekly

market in Cortona, doing what he does best.

And so I start this month of Cortona 2010 adventures

giving credit where credit is due:

to my pal Duilio, who I always

credit with not only instilling in me, a love of Italy

but more particularly, leading me to

this magical home that I am blessed with,

Cortona.

Duilio, love and mille grazie to

you always!