James's post

Did you notice the head on the carrot!

This is the Archbishop's hat.

These are my stuffed animals. The moose is Giacomo and the  hamster  is Michele

This is a gas station in France. Look at the big truck.

This is a dog that reminds me of our friend's dog. 

This dog's name will be twizel.

This is a dog in a shop in todi. 

Look at the orange building and gate.

Look at the old light blue scooter.

Add caption

Do you like the really big caterpillar on the Ipod.

Practicalities of Life

Ever wonder how they get kitchen counters in around the narrow stairs?  Italians are much more practical (and entertaining) than that:

Love,
Alexandra

Party Time, Italian Style

Today, September 8, is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast day does not get a whole lot of attention in the States, but the Italians don't like to miss an excuse for a good collective party.

The day started with a market that was like a county fair without the rides and games: lots of toys, candy, and food for sale. This market continued late into the evening instead of ending at noon like most of them do. It was very clear from the crowds (and the parking in nearby fields) that people came into town from a ways around.

At 6 pm we celebrated Mass in Santa Maria della Consolazione (that is this one: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempio_di_Santa_Maria_della_Consolazione). This was a big Mass bringing together all the parishes from around the city, and was celebrated by the bishop. Alexandra and the girls sang in the choir, which had been practicing for three weeks. The Mass was standing room only, with people coming and going the whole time, and an even bigger crowd playing outside on the lawn and at the market across the street.

When the Mass ended and the incense cleared we headed up to Dige's for a quick dinner, and then we hurried back down the hill to be in time for the FIREWORKS. You get that type of unashamed mixing of religious and governmental events here. Even in Mass there was a city flag with a police honor guard.

Those of you in America, or at least those of you younger than I am, have never seen a fireworks show like this one. We were close. The fireworks were shot from further down the hill, so their relative altitude at explosion was much lower. But also, they were simply closer than I have ever seen before. The big ones filled a wide expanse of sky...and knocked you backwards with a BOOM.

What kinds? Everything! Screamers, crinkles, flash-bangs, soft waterfalls, every combination of colors and sparkles, circles, hearts, hearts filled with white sparkles, three-color smiley faces...

And just then they switched to the second launch site from the top of the building behind us! Yep, fireworks directly overhead. These were the smaller ones, the ones that would be the ground show at an American fireworks display, but still plenty big for a very exciting show from the vantage point.

After five minutes of that they switched back the the primary launch site and turn it up a notch. We were treated to at least half an hour of fireworks, with the grand finale launched from both sites simultaneously. Nothing but fireworks horizon to horizon.

As we walked back up the hill we saw one nod to safety: an emergency crew with a standard-issue water truck, parked the wrong way on the approach road. Did I mention the bus that drove through the heart of the crowd 10 minutes into the display? It was like the parting of the sea, and the bus actually made very rapid progress.


We were not the only ones going up the hill. Since this is Saturday night the crowds will be going strong until 1:00. The kebaberia, the pizzeria, and the gelateria were all packed when we went out to satisfy our gelato craving at 10:30.

Michael

Not able to see the road for the trees...

... in the car, that is!

Florence and I set off for the garden store today, and it was (predictable, yes?) an adventure!  To begin with, bear in mind that the car's engine is rather like a lawnmower's.  As in, it won't start right away always. Or you flood the engine.  Or whatever.  So after 8 attempts at starting it, Florence and I thought it was time to let the poor car have a break.  So we walked to the yarn store (I needed some supplies).

When we got back, we appeared to be completely blocked in by a car that was parallel parked at the base of the row of perpendicularly parked cars!  On further inspection, I saw that we had about 40" of clearance, and plenty of room in front to negotiate.  Plus, given Murphy's Law, I figured the car was more likely to start if we were blocked in!  And, yes -- first time.

At that, a man came bounding up, and said that he was moving, really!  He hopped into the offending car, and reemerged a short time later saying that his (late-model) car wouldn't start.  He suggested I go over the sidewalk until I pointed out that my wheels don't have enough clearance.  I just proceeded to follow the line I had previously planned.  My new friend obligingly moved some of the concrete bollards out of the way.  And off we went!

Down the 18% grade in second gear, and we were at the garden store.  I got several plants for the area near the front door, and more for the balcony, along with a few pots and some soil.  The lady who was helping us was using the handcart to move all the heavy items, and finally looked at me and asked how we proposed to put everything in.  I told her I was "ottimista" (my word for the day).  She said her husband was also, so she called him over to help me.

It all went in! This is how it looked:

She was just charming -- gave a discount on everything, didn't charge me for the small plants, and even gave me a pot of asters I'd admired!  Isn't that sweet?

While we were driving home with camellia leaves in our ears, Florence called the others to come meet us in the piazza.  We were quite a tourist attraction upon arrival!

Love, Alexandra

And this is all of it outside the car!

Speaking in Tongues

A few weeks ago, a kebaberia opened just down the street-- very near to where we lived last year.  Figuring that we should support local endeavors (and satisfy our curiosity) we went over there for dinner.  It was amazing.  Although they say that they sell kebabs, what they actually sell is called a "piadina".  Think burrito with seasoned beef, tomatoes, lettuce, fries, onions, cucumber, and some delicious sauce-- not sure what.  The lady who owned the place and the server were both delightful, so we've been stopping in for kebabs (and good company) quite often.
Kemal, the server, is seventeen and from Istanbul, while the proprietress is from Albania.  A couple weeks ago we met her brother (twenty, I think) independently through my mother's knitting.  Don't ask.  
Anyhow, last night Ashley and I felt like stopping in for a chat so we sauntered over, planning to buy a soda as a pretext.  We walked in, and as there was no other business, the owner and Kemal were hanging out on the bar stools chatting.  They didn't get up, but did tell us to pull up a chair and describe our trip to Paris.  We did and before long the brother (Bushi) showed up with his friend, also Albanian, who is fluent in English.  We sat there talking, all of us immigrants.  We spoke in a combination of English (Ashley, Friend, and I), Italian (Kemal, Friend, and I), and Albanian (Kemal, Friend, and Bushi).  Sometimes we had to play "telephone" with the translations to get the point from one of us to another, but it was great fun.
Kemal brought out some fresh French fries and sauce for us to share, and thus we passed the time.  Eventually, I looked at my clock, realized it was 12:30, and we headed home.  We never did buy our soda.

Eleanor

My Dream Come True!

He's grown, but not THAT much!

Next to Ashley, it's downright tiny!

I got it I got it I got it!!!!!!  My car! It's so incredibly sweetly adorable, you have never ever ever seen anything so cute! It has a something-type of clutch (it's old) which means you have to match the rpm/speed of the car to the gear when you change gears (particularly important when shifting down), but I think I have it down pretty well!

The dashboard has three switches (up/down): lights on/off, lights high beam/low beam, and windshield wipers.  The wipers are about 8" long.  It has a choke for its first start (a lever near the emergency brake), and it starts by inserting the key in the dash and then pulling up another lever next to the choke!

The windows are manual, but they slide like silk.  The doors open with a latch that looks frighteningly like the window handles; I'm terrified I'll open a door at speed by mistake.  On the other hand, "at speed" means about 24 miles per hour.  (And this is the version with the souped up engine -- it has an output of around 7 kW -- about the equivalent of 5 microwave ovens.)

The top even opens like a sardine can!

The trunk can hold about the equivalent of 8 rolls of toilet paper, so it's eminently practical for a family of seven.  On the other hand, I really did buy it for its practicality (as if!) in the sense that it's small, easy to maneuver, and easy to park.  We all know that the truth is that I bought it because of its looks, and the "practicality" is secondary.  By a long way.

I hope you enjoy the pictures at least a fraction of how much we love our car!

Love,

Alexandra

Hunting in Narnia

A car next to the owner's house

On Monday, much to my excitement, Leonardo took three kids and me to Narnia!  It's a small town in the vicinity of Todi whose name inspired C.S. Lewis for his wonderful Chronicles.  We weren't going to find Aslan, but to get my Fiat 500! If you haven't yet figured out that this would be a banner day for me, you haven't been paying attention.

After passing the largest Roman bridge ever built (which is sadly in ruins but still recognizable and lovely!) on the Via Flaminia, we pulled into a gas station.  There we met Zio Leo (Uncle Leo) who told Leonard where to go to find the owner's house.

The "coffee" machine

After handshakes all round (the gas station parking lot was like the Starbucks in Lenox), we hopped back in the car & made our second stop: the owner's house.  Practically panting in anticipation, I rang the bell. Niente. We waited.  I knocked.  Still no response. We were somewhat concerned, since we did show up late for the appointment.  I hadn't called because I didn't have the fellow's phone number, but I'd assumed he'd call me once he saw we were running late if it were a problem...

Leo went over to Zio Leo (whose friend had driven him behind us) to ask for the phone number.  No luck, but Zio Leo's friend took off with Zio in the car.  Zio came back a short time later in his own green car, and we tried the cell phone number.  Niente. The phone was switched off!!!

Zio Leo now has the idea of the day! Back in the car, and we caravan to the owner's work location! Zio Leo consults with the front desk receptionist; he cheerfully tells Zio Leo that the owner is due in at 2:00 for his shift, and gives us all the phone numbers he has on file. Zio Leo finally gets through to him, and finds out that...he's gone to have lunch with Mamma because we were late! And it's too late for him at this point to come deal with the car before he shows up.

Meanwhile, the kids have been very patient.  James loved the dogs at the work location, the car next to the owner's house (not mine...sigh), and the hot chocolate machine in the work lobby.  I provide some of his pictures for your enjoyment.  And I?  Well, I learned a new word...delusa...which means "disappointed".

The good news?  We're going back to Narnia today!!!!!!!!!!!  After that, maybe we'll "go no more a'hunting, a'hunting, a'hunting..."

Hugs from make-believe-land,
Alexandra