Autumn Song

There’s a good reason why I won’t tell you Flavia’s last name. If I did, you’d seek her out, fall in love with her like we did, and we’d end up having to share her, which I don’t think I want to do. 

Flavia was the first Italian to convince us– immediately– that Citta della Pieve was a wonderful place. We had arrived at our B&B dragging our luggage behind us, eager to explore the town and find out where the house was that we were in the process of purchasing. Dan had searched for a B&B with the same street name as our house so that we wouldn’t have far to walk during this transition. We were incredulous to find to that Flavia’s B&B was literally across the narrow street from our house. It couldn’t have been more strategic!

The very personification of warm Italian hospitality, Flavia greeted us enthusiastically at the door. In excellent English and irresistible Italian charm, she welcomed us to Citta della Pieve. Then with the enthusiasm and energy of one training for a Triathlon, she swept up our suitcases, one in each hand, and bounded up the ancient stone staircase, two flights up, without stopping to take a breath. 

Her two bedroom B&B apartment was lovely and inviting… and so cool and comfortable in the sweltering July heat. We dropped our suitcases off in our top floor bedroom, then savored the breathtaking view of the vast Umbrian valley below from her huge dining room windows– shutters wide open– that look out over the city wall.

It took no time at all for Flavia to become a dear friend. When she learned that we were purchasing the house directly across the ancient street from her B&B, she became a wealth of information that was invaluable to us. She welcomed us with such enthusiasm that we quickly felt like Citta della Pieve was “home.”

It helped significantly, of course, that “everybody knows Flavia!” She’s that kind of treasure. The manager of the furniture store turned out to be her good friend. The owner of the hardware store was her friend. The owner/manager of several restaurants were her good friends. She told us the best places to shop for groceries, the best places to eat, where to find the best cappuccino, the best shuttle or taxi services. All the expats that lived around her were her friends. She had information on the best hilltop cities to visit and the best festivals to experience, and a wealth of other information. She helped me navigate the Italian photo site where I ordered large canvases for our house, and let me order some urgent things from her Italian Amazon site until we figured out how to set up our own account.

Every morning, very early, she silently arrived at the B&B and spread out an incredible continental breakfast for when we woke. Later, she returned to make sure our room was immaculately clean and to answer a multitude of questions we had about the town and Umbria. Clearly, Flavia loved her work and thrived in it. 

Some decisions in life are so blatantly obvious that it isn’t even something to think about, and hiring Flavia as our property manager was one of those. We had interviewed a couple of people for the position, but nothing felt right. With Flavia, it was just so perfect. She knows exactly which plumber to call, what painter is the best, which electrician is most prompt.

Before this, I’m not sure I ever realized the impact that one person has on so many others. Just one person can literally make a whole town feel welcoming or cold, and thanks to Flavia, our new home and the town of Citta della Pieve had welcomed us so warmly.

Soon after we’d moved into our Italian house, I was making some beds in the upstairs room with the window wide open, shutters outstretched. Across the street– which is no wider than a driveway, really– I noticed that Flavia was working in her office, with the window wide open. Like true Italians, we both leaned out of our windows as we chatted together across the street. It felt so incredibly authentic. I wasn’t just a tourist anymore. Somehow, it made me feel like I really was part of the Italian culture– like I belonged there. I really felt “at home–” thanks to Flavia. When I grow up, I definitely aspire to be like Flavia.