Well, I think it's fair to start my blog from Italy. I have a lot to tell about - many countries, places, different people. But its always right to talk about what inspires you mostly. At this very moment it is Tuscany. Cortona.
A little town in the neighborhood of Arezzo, that most of russians have barely heard about, has kept my mind from last october when I first found myself there (or here?..) Rich in its etruscan history, founded on the top of the hill, Cortona has this spirit of these old little italian towns. That actually we, russians, find very attractive - mostly, moscovites, being tired of the mess of a big city. It is very funny for us, because in russian "carton" is the kind of a cheap material for the packaging - cardboard. So all of my friends are smiling every time when I tell them the name of this small but proud town.
And now... Push for more down below!
Although Italy hasn't avoided the actual modern problem - migration of young people from little towns to the cities - Cortona is alive all the year round. Just with a different degree. Not in the last place is the reason of the students from Georgia University who are coming all year round by the exchange-program. They are making Cortona a bit international all over the year. And also british or americans who enjoy peaceful life in Cortona's beautiful countryside.
Yes, during the high season it is absolutely more vivid, full of people and full of life (I know that only by the words of my friends). But it doesn't die completely in the late autumn, winter or early spring - like many other towns of the same size do. It continues its still quiet life, without stress, very relaxed and philosophic a little bit. Why I know that? - Well, it might seem strange, but because all the time that I've spent in Cortona, has been off-season. October, November, December, January, March. Of course, I was there not 30 days in every month, just some days or a week or some weeks every time. Only october was almost all spent in the Cortona-dintorni.
So what can I say about this magic little town that makes me always come back here? - From the first sight, if you start your little journey from the Piazza Garibaldi - it seems that Cortona consists only of Via Nazionale. Actually this main street is really maybe the longest and the most busy here in town. Here are shops, restaurants, bars, one gellateria, antique boutique and four galleries.
In the beginning of the street is a very good leather shop "Maledetti Toscani" that has shoes, bags and even bracelets of leather of very high quality. And its purely from Tuscany that is of a high importance, I think. Also there is my favorite jewelry shop where they construct themselves unique necklaces from semiprecious stones, gold-plated details and leather or cashmere Brunello Cuccinelli strings - it is called Marri. I always bring there my friend - it is something unique!
The last but not the least on the Via Nazionale is Galleria Nazionale - my favourite gallery here, with very beautiful paintings of tuscan artists. Most of the time in Cortona I spend in this gallery, about what all of my friends know very well.
And in the end of the street, after you pass Galleria Nazionale di Cortona which is on your left, you get to the main square - Piazza della Repubblica, which is always the center of meeting your neighbors, friends, cousins, students etc. The concentration of life in Cortona is probably here. And I love staying in front of the gallery watch the people go down the road that is on the right from Palazzo Comunale and also like this feeling of waiting: who will appear from the left street, or from the street in front, or walk down here from the Piazza Signorelli. And watch them go by and salute me: "Ciao, bella!" - what a pleasure - in simple things.
The other very popular square is Piazza Signorelli - the name of the square is after the theater - Teatro Signorelli, that is actually very beautiful and quite big inside. During the festivals or just on some important dates the pieces of very high quality are being played there. Musicals, operas, concerts. Honestly, I have never been on any concert, but I saw the hall from inside and my very good friend Christian Pagani is taking part in the organisation of the concerts in Cortona and he told me - it is brilliant there. Last time he helped with preparation for the musical "Notre Dame de Paris". So now I really want to go and watch some piece, I'm absolutely curious about that. Oh, and on sunday and thursday they have the market out there - at the Piazza Signorelli. It is very interesting to watch all the stuff people bring there. And try to resist the temptation to buy jewelry or something like that. Moreover, on the Piazza Signorelly are situated all the most important bars and places for aperitivo in the evening, as well as restaurants and enotecas: Pane e vino, Caccio Brillo, Bar La Posta, restaurant Nessun Dorma (best breakfasts to take away and Mirto at night) and the only night place in Cortona that is opened all year round and every night - Lion's Well. They can pay money to me probably, because I always try to warm up everybody there - dance etc. ;) But I love this place, to be honest - just to speak with friends and to hang out for the music of the DJ. Or of my iPod's list.
I have so much to tell about Cortona - so it is impossible to fit everything in one post. And I'd better stop now not to get you guys bored. To be continued...)
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