Stinky had asked Periwinkle to arrive a little early at his house, and he’s hoping she doesn’t mind. Like two weeks ago, they’ll be traveling to a locale with a six-hour time difference. Stinky is waiting next to the teleportation tunnel at the appointed time, and with the familiar whoosh Periwinkle comes tumbling out into his waiting paws. He doesn’t allow her to say or ask anything, but does give her a quick whisker kisse before taking her paw and leading her back into the tunnel.

Moments later they arrive in a beautiful medieval square. “Stinky, this is beautiful. Where are we and what is that yummy aroma?” Periwinkle asks.

Perugia, Italy

 

 

“We are in the Piazza IV Novembre in the old town of the fortified, medieval village of Perugia, Italy. This is the Fontana Maggiore. The building behind it is the Palazzo dei Priori, which was constructed in the 1300s. It’s a little different than most palaces, as it was constructed in the style of a fortress. It once was the seat of the Municipality of Perugia. Now, it houses the main art gallery for the region of Umbria.

Eurochocolate 2023

“What are those things on the steps of the palace?”

 

 

“Those are dark and milk chocolate eggs, and that is what you smell. We are at Eurochocolate 2023. I found out about it when we were in Italy two weeks ago,” Stinky replies. He continues, “Italy is well known for its place in the history of chocolate. The first chocolate in solid form was created in Italy in the 1700s, and Perugia is known as the City Of Chocolate.”

Periwinkle replies, “Well, it’s a good thing we are cartoon kitties, as real cats cannot have chocolate. It could kill them.”

“It is terrific that we can do lots of things real cats cannot.”

Before she can stop him, Stinky scales the wall of the palace.

 

 

“Stinky, is there any place we can go where you won’t feel the need to climb? You always worry me.”

Stinky hops down and apologizes. He then hands Periwinkle her ticket for the festival, and cautions her that the area is crowded with lots and lots of humans, as the event attracts some 900,000 to one million visitors annually. Though, the festival lasts for ten days and is most crowded on the weekends; Stinky knows they need to be careful so no one steps on their paws or tails. He tells Periwinkle, “My mom wanted to come with us and bring the cat stroller, so we would be protected. I know she really just wanted to come for the chocolate, but she’ll have to do that on her own time.”

Periwinkle replies, “I like your mom, but I am happy neither she nor the stroller could fit in the teleportation tunnel. I don’t want a chaperone on our adventures.”

“I’ll second that,” says Stinky.

Chocolate Sculptures

“Let’s check out some of the sculptures, Periwinkle. We won’t be able to see them being created, as that was done two days ago, on the first Sunday of the festival.”

“That’s okay, Stinky, just seeing them will be fun.”

 

 

“Stinky, this giant piano is so cool,” Periwinkle gushes excitedly.

“Yes, it is, but let’s check out that one across the way.” After saying that, Stinky runs off in front of Periwinkle and jumps up on the sculpture. Periwinkle is totally exasperated but follows after Stinky. When she gets to the sculpture, Stinky helps her up on it with him.

 

 

“I’ll admit this is a good vantage point to view the other sculptures, Stinky, but I know we’ll be kicked out of the festival if we are caught.” Stinky begrudgingly agrees and takes Periwinkle’s paw so they can jump down together.

“Stinky, what else can you tell me about the festival?”

Festival History

“This is the 29th year of Eurochocolate. It began in 1994, and is the creation of Eugenio Guarducc, an architect.”

Well, that seems very odd, Stinky, for an architect to start a festival about chocolate!”

“I agree, but that’s what I read. Anyhoo,  it seems he wanted to celebrate all things related to chocolate, as Perugia is home to a wide variety of both chocolate makers and factories. They all focus on the details and production process for creating superb chocolates.

“The Eurochocolate adventure offers tastings and cooking workshops, as well as demonstrations by renowned chefs. There also are  performances and shows related to chocolate.”

Periwinkle points to a huge display from one of the chocolate manufacturers and asks, “Do you mean like the one over there?” Stinky sees where she is pointing and grabs her paw so they can check out the display more closely.

 

 

And, as she expected, Periwinkle could not stop Stinky from climbing atop one of the balloons. When Stinky comes down, she grabs his paw, drags him away and scolds him, saying, “I love you dearly, but you are incorrigible. Do you realize you could have punctured that balloon with your claws and been terribly injured?”

Stinky hangs his head and tells Periwinkle, “I’m sorry. I don’t know what comes over me. When I see things I think would be fun to climb, I can’t help myself.”

Time for Chocolate

The tabbies spend some time wandering through the festival and picking up a few samples from the participating chocolatiers from around the world.

Periwinkle spies some particularly luscious chocolates and tells Stinky they need to buy some for their moms. Stinky agrees and tells Periwinkle they need to get some extra special ones for Periwinkle’s mom, as she celebrated her birthday the day before.

 

 

Once the tabbies select the chocolates for their moms,  Stinky tells Periwinkle there is one more thing they need to do before leaving Perugia. He takes her paw again and leads he toward some stairs.

“That looks like a long hike, Stinky, and my paws are already tired.”

“Jump on my back, and I will give you a ride,” Stinky tells Periwinkle.

 

 

Periwinkle hops of Stinky’s back and asks, “So where are we headed?”

“Well, this is the Via dell’Acquedotto di Perugia. The ancient aqueduct was built by the Romans to bring clean, fresh water to the village, and we are making this hike so we can see the gorgeous view.”

 

 

“Stinky this is really a beautiful view. Thanks for helping me get here.”

Stinky replies, “We are only 11 miles from Assisi, where we visited two weeks ago. I don’t know if we can see that far or which direction we should look, but I thought you’d like to know that.”

“Thanks, Stinky, that is a fun fact.”

“I also want to give our readers a website to check out: 13 Facts About the Perugia Chocolate Festival. And, if they missed our visit to Assisi, they can check it out by clicking here.”

“So, are we heading home now?” asks Periwinkle. Stinky tells her they are going to make a tiny side trip first, so they head back down the hill to the teleportation tunnel.

Foligno, Italy

When they arrive at their destination, Stinky tells Periwinkle that they are in the ancient town of Foligno. It is also in Umbria and just 24 miles from Perugia.

“Why are we here? I am really tired,” Periwinkle tells Stinky. He explains that they are there to visit a friend of his Dad’s, Massimo Menghini. Periwinkle just gives Stinky a quizzical look, as Stinky leads her into a garden. Periwinkle squeals and claps her paws together when she sees what is there.

 

 

Oh, Stinky, kittens. I love kittens. Are we here to take them home with us? I want to take one to my mom as a birthday gift.”

“Periwinkle, you know we can’t do that without permission. And I think there is a lot of red tape involved.”

“But couldn’t we just sneak them into the teleportation tunnel with us?”

“Yes, I suppose we could, but that’s not why we came. I know you love kittens, and I wanted you to meet them. They just showed up in Mr. Menghini’s yard, and he is unable to keep them. So, I thought we could meet them and share their photos with all our friends just in case someone might have a friend in Italy who would like to adopt them.”

“Well, fiddle faddle. I know, you and I should stay in Italy and adopt them,” exclaims Periwinkle, though, she knows they can’t do that. Stinky does tell her they can stay a while and visit, but then it is time to head home. Finally, Stinky is able to corral Periwinkle and get her back to the tunnel.

The End of Another Adventure

When the tabbies get to Stinky’s house, it is already quite late in the evening, so Periwinkle says a quick, “hello,” to Stinky’s mom, dad and fursibs before hopping back into the teleportation tunnel. With a wave and a blown kiss she is gone in a whoosh.

Stinky gets his dinner and meds and then is off to bed to dream of his beautiful girlfriend.

The End

Periwinkle and stinky will be joining the Happy Tuesday blog hop at comedy Plus. To do the same, click on the badge.

 

🎂HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, MOM SHARON!🎂

🎈WE LOVE YOU, JANET, TOM AND KITTIES BLUE🎈

❣️🎁❣️