We did it! After nearly four years of trying, asking around, and begging, we have found a garage to rent!!! It's up by San Fortunato, so it's reasonably convenient. It's important to have for a few reasons: having just purchased a new car, it will protect the paint from the summer sun (as well as that of the Fiat 500), and it gives us a safe space to put the cars when we are traveling. This is not important from the standpoint of break-ins, but because the parking areas have frequent last-minute closures that can result in towing or the threat thereof.
Our friend Fabrizio found the garage. It is in the basement of the convent, and owned by the nuns. We can practically justify the cost as a charitable donation, right?
 |
| Ours is the slightly arched door in the middle |
When he first showed us around, it was amazing how much space it had...deep, plenty of room for two cars (side by side, according to Fabrizio; Michael said that that would be impossible, but we all agreed that it was plenty spacious), the motorino, boxes of long-term storage, and more. Much excitement, verbal commitment, key given to us, and so on.
Well. The first time backing the Panda into the garage nearly resulted in a panic attack. You see, the doors are these lovely old carriage-house doors: wood, heavy, open inwards (meaning you have to leave a clear space), and framed by brick. Remember the brick, because it comes into the picture. Vividly.
 |
| Lovely! Charming! |
 |
| Iron handle |
 |
| Snug as a bug in a rug |
As I backed in, it became abundantly clear that this opening was NOT roomy. In fact, it's downright tight. If you want to be perfectly honest about it, you end up with a clearance on the mirrors (which you MUST leave extended in order to back in properly) of about an inch on each side. Hair raising? You bet.
 |
| Leaving, centered in the doorway |
And as far as parking the two cars side by side, that would be a negative. They DO, on the other hand, fit very nicely in a column, so the garage is going to meet the purpose of having a safe place, cool shade for the summer, and so on.
That said, this garage entrance will take some getting used to...
Love,
Alexandra
p.s. M
y first rental payment was a delightful experience that might be unusual to Americans, but was not really all that unusual for here. This is how it went:
I wandered over to the door where the sisters live and rang the bell at the convent. A little grating opened, and this apple-cheeked cherub peered out through the slot. I explained my mission.
She told me to go "sopra" (above), so I went around to where the schoolkids get the host offcuts for snacks (these are the nuns who make the hosts used for Communion hereabouts).
I then had to ring at that door. She buzzed me into an entry way that provides access to the chapel and where the turntable is (the turntable is to provide their contact with the outside world and for anonymous baby dropoffs). There was a key on the turntable; a faceless voice muttered something in Spanitalian about the key.
I started to put the cash on the turntable, but then realized I was to take the key to open the door that was further along the passage.Feeling a bit Alice-in-Wonderlandish, I opened the door, went into a cell with a grating (think iron lattice work)My apple-cheeked mother superior was on the other side of the lattice. She chattered quite happily for a good while, and I nodded and smiled and interjected when I felt it necessary.I ascertained that I was to come there every month. I will give her the new key once I have enough copies.And everyone was happy. It was only as I was walking out that I thought how unusual an experience this would be for an American.And snickered.
