OMG!!! we're just gotten home from the gtg and everything was FABULOUS!!! The location was beautiful, the food was delcious, and the company was OUTSTANDING!!!!
First of all, Pauline sendS a
BIG HELLO! She hasn't had an internet connection for the past few days, and even if she had...she's been waaaaay too busy having fun meeting up with all of us here!!!
Okay, so here's a quick rundown:
We arrived a little after 4. There were lots of tables set up. all with large umbrellas so that we had some shade from this intense heat. there was a nice breeze from time to time that kept the heat from being unbearable.
Altho everyone brought some wine, the drinkof choice seemed to be water, and Corrina and her family rose to the occasion by bringing out bottles of cold water and bowls and bowls full of ice!
And who was there???? Well, of course Janet and
her husband Alan...the ones responsible for suggesting this gtg in the frist place!! It wasn't too hard to pick out Ann, Janet's sister because they looked so much alike. I'm sure I must have been introduced to Ann's husband Carl, but right now I can't remember what he looked like! Someone will have to show me a picture!
We also met Valerie, Janet's friend...I wonder what she thought about this crazy ST group???
Of course our
Pauline was there, along with her prince-consort Steve. I was so glad we'd gotten to have some one on one time with them earlier inthe week, but we did get to visit with them tonight as well.
Jane, Ken and Casey wer there, and Jane brought along some of the American goodies she had left over, and I gladly took the refried beans and a few other goodies.
Marcia and David were there, and Marcia brought me the chicken bullion as requested! We had a nice chat with them over our meal.
Let's see, who else? Oh, Judith was there, with my scarf I'd left at her house in December! She's apparently cooking up a storm for vacationers in the Citta di Castello area....I hope people realize how lucky they are to have her cook for them!
OH, Valerie and Bryan, who we hadn't seen since March, and Kevin and Kim from Naples who we'd never met before.
And Brad and Palma came back to Umbria just for the gtg. After having spent the evening with them, we were sooo glad to be able to see them again. They too brought us some bullion as weel as cheddar cheese, tortillas, chiles....what can I say?! Such sweet people. And we got to see the custome made shirts that Judith had helped Brad order.....wow!!! Gorgeous fabrics, fantastic shirts!
And Guilia was there with her husband
Gruud (sp?)...I was soo glad to finally meet her in person!
And MaryJane Cryan and her charming husband Fulvio. I've been wanting to bee MaryJane forever....I think she hosted the first ever gtg in Italy back in 2002, before we moved to Italy.
Mary Jane brought along a friend of hers, Mary, and American married to an Italian. Mary's lived in Italy for years, and has just opened a beautiful inn just outside of Bevagna.
And we met Karen and the
adorable Vincenzo! What a sweet couple!
Our frined Shelly and her friend Gail decided to join in at the last minute, and I think they had a great time meeting everyone. I never did see Giovanna....what happened?
Of course Corinna and her whole family were just so sweet and hospitable...it felt as if we'd gone to a friend's house for dinner, they just made us feel so welcome..
After years of waiting and promising, I finally got to meet Letizia! What a sweetheart! I hope we can finally arrange to gtg once her busy season is over.
And now for the really exciting part....Anne Robichaud was there, and after reading her posts on ST for so long, it was a pleasure to meet her. Anne has PROMISED to start checking in on the message board, and to start sending more of her wonderful stories of life in Umbria.
And now for the biggest surprise of all......REBECCA was there!!!!! Yes, Rebecca aka Brigolante!!! Best of all, Pauline made here PROMISE to start writing for ST again, and now that her youngest is about to go off to preschool every morning, I think she'll have
plenty of time for writing her hilarious stories!
All in all, such a wonderful afternoon! Thanks to Janet for suggesting it, thanks to Corinna and her family for hosting us and for sharing the lovely Villa Rosy with us. And of course where would we be without our
?
PIctures to follow soon!
Slow Travel Talk 
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