our group played in a town near arezzo that was so small it wasn't even on the map. there must be literally thousands of little towns like this all over italy; medieval centro storico; a gem of a church with something noteworthy inside; situated behind a steep wall on a volcanic mound overlooking - what i'm sure at one time was - a horde or invading goths trying to get at their grain. the piazza was filled with the 500 or so of its inhabitants and we all had an open air "medieval" banquet.
i find the costume business a bit tiresome, however. i don't know what the italian is for "forsooth!" but i'm sure it was bandied about quite a bit by the gormandisers (why not...) acting it up at the head table - locals of note - who were feeling their oats and extending themselves into their costumes (which were beautiful, by the way.) it all went well. we were videoed for the local tv, people were complimentary, interested even, in my vihuela de mano (charango) and we all arrived home very late with a smile on our face. ahhhh....
