From the Sublime to the Ridiculous and Back Again

Happy Epiphany!

The first note is that the Magi have arrived!








Sadly, we were not able to do the live Nativity again yesterday because of inclement weather. Don Riccardo thought it was a sad waste, however, and sent a text to all last night asking us to show up at the church in costume. Those of us who showed sat in the choir loft for a lovely Mass with our beloved bishop and both priests (Riccardo and Andrea), and descended into the crypt after Communion to set up a little vignette.

Before the dismissal, the bishop led the congregation into the crypt while the choir accompanied them with song. The crypt was lit by candles, and was so warm and welcoming.

A collection of about six presepi

After a quick change of clothes, Tricia and I went for lunch at Cavour for some adult time (work day for Michael), and finished just in time (phew!) to go to tea at Mariapia's house. Mariapia is a friend from choir who told us that she had a number of presepi that we might enjoy seeing -- and she wasn't kidding! She had a wide assortment, including traditional, animated, music box, snow globe, outside, inside, upstairs, downstairs...certainly put my puny collection to shame (although I still love my presepe on the stairs!). She was delighted to have us, and told us stories of her youth (during World War II), and how the Americans were viewed as complete heroes and representative of true freedom.

From Burkina Faso, where she has done charity work

James at MariaPia's

Having enjoyed the mutual lovefest, it was time to go. We headed up the hill towards the Piazza, and heard a lot of noise in the Piazza. Almost time for the Befana to arrive! The Befana is the Italian answer to Santa, and is a witch/grandmotherly (!) type who arrives on a broom and brings sweets to nice children. She brings dust to those who are less deserving. While we were waiting for the Befana, Tricia and I headed to Piazza Jacopone to see Ashley dance...after which we went in "giro" (wandering around) with Eleanor...and then it was finally time! Or not.

The dj wanted to build the excitement to the highest possible pitch. But he took so long, I nearly gave up -- I guess I'm one of those kids from the distractible generation, huh? But look! What's that coming through the air (slowly and jerkily) on a broom, heading from one tower to the bell tower of the Duomo? Yes! You guessed it! The Befana!!!!! Much excitement. I swore to Eleanor that the line heading directly from the bell tower to the ground of the piazza was another zip line, but she posited that we'd have a Beflatta (Befana pancake, that is) because of the slope. After some back and forth (oh, and some fireworks), she DID come down to the piazza. On that zip line. With a braking line. She wasn't particularly swift, but there was much shrieking and there were firm indications of ecitement on the part of the many children in the Piazza.

And that was the (fun but) ridiculous part of the day done with. Home for some quick homework checking, and then back out for a concert in the Teatro Municipale! Marco Venturi (our wonderful former choir director) led his group in Mozart, Grieg, and a composer previously unknown to me: Finzi. Back to the sublime.

Guess what! I'm tired...

Love,

Alexandra