Travel Day Wednesday June 24, to Montone, Italy

Heading to Montone, Italy for the first ever Montone Blues Festival with Chris Vitarello, Dave Limina and Jacopo D’Angelo.

Chris met me in Boston and we caught an Uber to the airport around 1:30pm. Traffic wasn’t too bad until the tunnel, but we had plenty of time, so, no worries. We found Dave at the airport and had a quick snack and drink together. We all boarded our flight on time and had a pleasant flight. We found each other after passport control in Rome. Our driver, Andrei, contacted us on WhatsApp and we got in his air-conditioned van. It wasn’t terribly hot, but a little humid. We arranged to pick up Jacopo at a bus stop near his sister’s house. A few hours in the van, a quick stop for coffee and pee, where Chris was excited to find prosciutto for sale!

We arrived too early to check in, so we stayed at Hotel Fortebraccio for a light lunch: prosciutto, caprese, and pasta. We met Valeria who is helping to organize the details of the event. She’s amazing! Also met Steve Glenn, who hired us, and Mike, his partner here in Italy. 

Dave had to teach an online class for Berklee, so he went to the hotel, and JD went with him.Chris and I stayed to speak with Valeria and then walked uphill for about a half mile to Hotel Locanda del Capitano, a historic building built in the year 1100! We strolled around the very small center, the square, which consists of a few restaurants, a cafe, and a few shops. Older men sat and played cards in a quartet and other men stood watching. The afternoon pastime. This village is so picturesque and charming. Cobblestone walking paths, rock retaining walls spilling over with herbs and edible plants and flowers. The mountains in the distance with a backdrop of blue sky. So incredibly gorgeous. 

We rested a bit in the late afternoon, and then met at a restaurant in the square for dinner at 8:30pm.L’antica Osteria, also owned by Mike.  His wife, Belinda, waited on us. She’s from Australia, and her father is Italian. The meal was incredible. A delicious piece of pork slow cooked for 12 hours, a little sweet, a little spicy, served with roasted tiny chunks of potato and zucchini. Amazing. White wine, some panacotta for dessert.  A short walk up the hill, and we were back at our hotel. A comfortable bed and air conditioning helped for a great night’s sleep.

Feeling so fortunate that music has brought us here. Grateful.