This is the best story............ My brother Mike and I happened to be in Cortona on Thanksgiving day which, of course, isn't celebrated in Italy.  We had enjoyed a great day exploring the city.  We walked the narrow lanes (uphill both ways, of course), browsed in the shops, sat in the piazza watching men play checkers, and ate gelato.  Evening snuck up on us and we decided to part ways for a few minutes and look for a special place for dinner.  When we reconnected Mike mentioned that he saw a group of people congregating in front of this cafe' eating and drinking wine. He said the pork smelled so good that he wanted to see about ordering some, but it seemed like a private gathering because the food was laid outside on open tables.  Perhaps it's the language barrier or the fact that I'm simply bolder when on vacation in a new place, but I went over and asked if we could join them.  This sweet, pleasant man motioned sure, sure and started serving us pork sandwiches. The most tender, flavorful pork I've ever tasted! Truly! Mike went into the cafe' and got some wine, and we feasted on bruschetta, liver pate', proscuitto, pork, etc., etc. The man kept offering us more and asking if it was good. Everyone was talking and being friendly. When we had had our fill (and I do mean our fill!), Mike practiced his sentences, approached this gentleman and told him it was very good and asked where we should pay. He laughed and said, "No. No." and waved us off saying something about Italian hospitality. I don't know what type event we crashed, but they were more than gracious and we had an absolute blast with them.  Hospitality is an art here.  How's that for Thanksgiving????

Take a look at my other website:  A Moment in Italy 

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