When Federico Fellini instructed “La dolce vita” in 1960, it was certainly not with the umbreons as inspiration. For the everyday life of an umbrean is generally far from the eccentric, decadent Rome, that Fellini describes in the film, that made Anita Ekberg world famous when she toke a bath in the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

The everyday life of  Umbria is largely characterized by a working life that can not be described as “dolce” in any way. Not even close!

Most inhabitants get up early to get started before the sun really grabs the region with a solid, hot grib. Especially in the countryside people begin with the duties of today, which in addition to any work in one of the region’s larger or smaller companies, also includes cultivation of own crops for use in everyday households. It is thus quite normal that a family (often consisting of several generations in the same house) cultivates both tomatoes, squash, aubergines, onions and various other vegetables. And although the Umbrian soil is one of the most fertile in Italy, it certainly isn’t easy to manage.
The earth is clay, hard and requires periodic irrigation if the crops shall have a change in growing into someting you eventually will be able to eat. It not cared for every day the plants will die without chance a having contributed to the family dinner table.

However, the Umbrians  are not complaining – at least not over work. It might be something when it comes to the high Italian taxes, suspicion of corrupted politicians, the defeat of ones favorite football team’s or other of the many topics that occupy ordinary Italians.

But even though the everyday life of the Umbrians is a hard life, they are caring people. They are helpful and open both to each other and strangers. At least until someone gets disappointed or cheated – then they are unlikely to forgive – like all other Italians. “Forgive and forget” is not a proverb that has gained its meaning here – at least not in our part of Umbria. Here you can hear the story of a man who bought a large plot for the purpose of making a stud with Arab horses. In order to be allowed to do so, he had to promise to restore a covert church that lies on the ground – and he reluctantly agreed. Today – five years later – the church has still not been fixed – and the man is undoubtedly not amongst the most popular people in the area. Maybe why does not he live nearby?

But when darkness falls and the temperature drops to comfortable 23-24 degrees, at least in summer, one does not any longer notice the hard life of the Umbrians.
Because at this time of day it’s as though everyone wakes up. People meet in piazza’s, in local trattorias, at osterias and cafes. Eat dinner, drink “vino rosso” or start the evening with a cool orange Spritze. The voices get higher, laughter fills the streets and alleys, and children (who probably should be in their beds dreaming sweet dreams) play catch, ball or soldiers while thousands of stars twingle on the night sky.