Umberto is funny. Some nights, at the Osteria, he makes the rounds. But others, we don’t hear from him again once he has taken our order.

Tonight, the place was almost empty. Only one other couple, and they were finished well before 21:00 (early by Italian standards).

And so, Umberto arrives with “il problema.” That is, the figurative earthquake that has hit the tourist industry in Umbria.

Back and forth, between his English and our Italian, we review the media coverage and its aftershocks on the tourist economy.

Hotels and restaurants, like his, are hurting. Italian children return to school today. The season is over, finished.

From one media story, to others: a moment of remembrance for “9/11”; the flood of African immigrants, landing on Italian shores.

A sidebar on the Pope, with more political incorrectness from this avowed “old man,” follows. Our young waitress keeps stealing glances.

When I go to pay the check, Umberto is more than surprised by the length of our stay. Pleased, maybe, that we have braved the news.