Grillfest happened last weekend in the Piazza. It seemed as though the Piazza swelled with people as generations came together to have delicious grilled food, wine, beer and listen to music. This was fantastic people watching. I sat and watched as women teetered on the cobblestones in 4 inch heels. Families came together and people invibed as the band played. It seemed as though everyone in Cagli was in the Piazza responsibly enjoying the night. Kids played on the fountain until late into the evening and Credence Clearwater and Tracy Chapman covers rang out over the square.
I bartended in college and do some event planning now. Serving alcohol in event planning is a big headache. This American noticed one major difference, there was no beer garden. There was no fenced off space where adults huddled, downing their alcoholic beverages and completely separated from the youth. No one wore a wrist band to tell the world who was over 21 and who was not. Partaking in alcohol was not taboo or only for adults. I didn’t stay out late on either night, however, I did not see anyone consuming too much alcohol and getting loud and crazy. The youth, well under 21, were drinking but unlike Americans they were not pounding shots, they were drinking responsibly, at least until I went to bed around midnight. In my opinion there is a vast difference in Italian and American culture regarding our relationship with alcoholic.
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