I actually got a work permit at the Italian consulate in Miami to enter into Italy as an independent farmer. So, now being a farmer, I had to farm something. I chose, for various reasons (mainly because they were the cheapest) the sheep. Things went smoothly for the first few months and I spent my days happily following my flocks thru the mountains with my puppy and a "Learn Italian in 10 minutes a day" book.

As my first lambs grew to market size, I said to myself

"Question? Where the hell do you sell lambs?"

Not being very well connected yet in the community and not speaking the language, so unable to ask for guidance, I knew not where to start. Alessandro suggested I go to the farmers markets and ask around. So, on to the bus I went (I didn’t have a car) with my Italian book, determined to sell my lambs.

Arriving at the market, just mobs of people buying and selling, where do I start? What’s my first step?

At these markets, there are groups of men standing around busily discussing the days events or prices or recipes, I don’t know exactly what, but they don’t look extremely inviting to let you in. However, I figured they were the key to my success, men in the know, I must break into that circle if I plan on selling any lambs ... ever!

Approaching these tight fortresses of men is very intimidating.

Conversations stop and all eyes turn to me. Being from the States, we are taught from childhood, "It’s not polite to stare”, this apparently is not taught here.

Walking up to these mountain men, 12 sets of eyes pointed right at me, burning holes thru my very soul, I knew, that they knew, I was an outsider and not to be trusted. They would, at any second threaten me with their raised walking sticks and chase me screaming into the crowds. Frightened but determined, I opened my book to read my prepared opening line on that early Monday morning:

"Good evening, I am lambs, where to sell I can?”

Anyway, markets are quickly fading from real farmers markets with veggies and chickens and eggs and cheese to more modern veggies and fruits from truck farmers, kitchen utensils, clothes, flowers. It’s a great way to get the daily shopping and do some quick site seeing of a different town.

Monday         Pieve Santo Stefano
Tuesday        Sansepolcro
Wednesday    Anghiari
Thursday       Citta' Di Castello
Friday           No Markets
Saturday       Sansepolcro

Sansepolcro and Citta' Di Castello are the biggest.

There is occasionally a truck selling roast chicken at these markets. Definitely get some, at least two. One for the house and one to eat in the car on the way home, just delicious.

There is also the very popular porchetta, which is whole roast pig, highly peppered stuffed with garlic onion and liver, very salty and Oh so good.

The first weekend of the month there is a huge antique market in Arezzo, biggest in Italy.

Stores in the area have opening times of 8:30 - 12:30/1:00 then an afternoon break and re-open at 4:30-7:30

This does not apply to the post office which is open in the mornings only from 8:30-1:30 only.

Sunday all day and Mondays in the evening and again on Wednesday evenings most stores, bars, restaurants will be closed.