Porchiano del Monte is a small medieval town on a hilltop overlooking the Tiber Valley. It's located in Southern Umbria about an hour north of Rome and is a small fraction of the city of Amelia. Many people, especially the locals have often asked me "Why would someone from Southern California want to live here?"
It's a peaceful and beautiful place. When I drive up along the town walls, I feel as though I'm entering in another world, one where time seems to have slowed down. People greet each other cordially most of the time. I say most of the time because the majority of them are related in some way. As in any large or small family, there can be some friction. Being a foreigner has its advantages in this case since I can't get caught up in centuries old family feuds. Porchiano is an agricultural community so there is a tradition of solidarity among town inhabitants. For example, some months ago I needed a very long ladder to pick out some weeds that had grown on my stone house facade. I had no such ladder myself, so I went to the barber's (who btw is the unofficial 'mayor' of the town) and asked for his advice. He arranged for a retired local to lend me his for the job in a matter of minutes. I saved time and money by not having to call anyone and doing it with the help of a Porchianese. More stories to come ...
I've taken a few weeks off from the Project. I suppose it's the necessary time to rest and organize the coming year. I'm coming up with new ideas for my Etsy Shop that I'll reveal a little bit at a time. This morning I spotted these little red roses, so sweet, compact and powerful.
Ho preso qualche settimana di riposo dal progetto. Suppongo che è il tempo necessario per riposare e organizzare l'anno appena iniziato. Mi sono venuti nuove idee per il negozio Etsy e gli rivelerò un po alla volta. Stamattina ho visto queste piccole rose rosse così dolce e rigogliose.
Ecco un immagine di "Le Strenne di Corciano" di dicembre scorso.
Porchiano is an agricultural community so there is a tradition of solidarity among town inhabitants. For example, some months ago I needed a very long ladder to pick out some weeds that had grown on my stone house facade. I had no such ladder myself, so I went to the barber's (who btw is the unofficial 'mayor' of the town) and asked for his advice. He arranged for a retired local to lend me his for the job in a matter of minutes. I saved time and money by not having to call anyone and doing it with the help of a Porchianese. 
