I have not seen so many tourists in my ten years in Motovun. A veritable deluge. It must be a record year, ever. I am not sure what is going on, but I am ever more convinced that many of these tourists are new. New to tourism, that is. Having heard about the wonders of Istria, they have ventured out for the first time in their lives. Most of the new tourists are from Austria and Germany up north. Relatively well to do in spite of the current economic troubles, as well as unsure of their good fortunes in the future, they are going as far south as their budgets would allow. But how do I know that these tourists are brand new? Well, it is late in the season, but their legs are so white that it is clear that they have seen no sun this year. Dazzlingly white, in fact. So white that one cannot but turn around and stare. Even if they caught some sun the last few years, they would not be that incredibly white. New tourists beyond any doubt.