A Purposeful Tourist

For the first time, we are in Italy during the spring, particularly Easter. It fascinates me to learn about new cultures and customs.

Dropping from the ceiling of one of our favorite places to eat were a number of chickens. While I thought it was to create a homey atmosphere, the server explained it was in honor of Easter. And yes, the chicken is the guest of honor in Italy, not a bunny. And from the chicken, we get eggs, and the lucky children here receive a large chocolate egg filled with candy for the holiday.

A bakery staple for Easter in Umbria is “torte di formaggio,” or cheese cake. It is not the sweet, creamy version of the U.S. but a bread with a cake-like texture studded with cheese. We ate it with salami, sliced cheese, and olives – quite good.

Our local bakery offered several “Ciaramicola” Umbrian Easter Cakes. Light red with a meringue icing, it looked better than it tasted. Mine was quite dry.

Tomorrow, I look forward to unwrapping an Italian Easter Cake, or “Columba,” meant to be in the shape of a dove, although the packaging on ours refers to a branch.

Yesterday townspeople were placing colored bicycles with flowers around town, but the main focus of the Easter holiday is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We watched a procession through town last night honoring Good Friday and look forward to the light of tomorrow.