CROWDS Every so often, we get a reminder how well our instincts have worked out in choosing the Expatriate lifestyle in Italy. At this point, in becoming more comfortable in Ascoli Piceno, awareness of the original relocation decision priorities has started to fade into the background. It seems we are so pleased with how our lives have turned out, we don’t feel much of a need to re-examine how we made the decision to settle in Ascoli in the first place. And then we have an experience that says, “Oh yes, these are some of the reasons we decided to live in Ascoli!” We just completed one of those ‘re-epiphanies.’ Three special friends from the San Diego area came to visit us early this September and have just returned to California. We spent three wonderful and very busy weeks with them. We met in Rome on their arrival and then spent five days in an endurance trial to see some of the sights. Then it was on to Ascoli for four days. As we suspected they would, our visitors found Ascoli a highlight of their Italian experience. Their exposure to Ascoli was made all the more immediate by the warm and positive personal equation that has also been so important to us. First, there was an extension of hospitality at the apartment of our ever-kind friend Jo during a day at the beach on the Adriatic. And then their visit was capped off by a very well attended, fun-filled welcoming party at the Ascoli family home of our very close friend, Serafino. Our American friends have commented these expressions of kindness were some of their fondest memories of their entire experience in Italy. In addition to welcoming our American friends, a delightful couple from Canada, who have just arrived to settle here, were also part of the festivities. Our new Canadian friends are an acquaintancship that was made through and as a result of this Blog. Having them also here in Ascoli, to finally be face-to-face, is a real pleasure for us. Next, it was on to four days in Florence and then four days in Venice. We had hoped that being beyond the July-August traditional summer tourist peak...