Raino market and painting

As you remember, yesterday was the festival of San Rocca. After dinner we did what all Saints do! Had a party! There was a big band from Napoli. There were 10 people on stage and 4 support people. They had a huge bank of computers and other equipment to run the lights and sound. They sat up right at center stage prompting a large exodus of the audience to the sides.

What do they have to pay these people for them to make any money at all? There were so many of them and they had a huge truck and probably at least three more cars. They were very good and all the old folks, people our age, loved them. Here are some of the people that were moved to dance. Well, all of the people over about 6 that were moved to dance.

Today we went to the Market at Raino. I wanted you to have a bit of the experience of walking through the market yourself. We were there early so you can’t experience the crowds, but you can also see better.

The market is on a beautiful, cool, tree lined street that is usually for cars. At the entrance are the small farmers who are selling what they have grown.

A more professional fruit seller.

This is what most women wear at home while doing house cleaning for 27 hours a week. You will not be needing on of these.

More tights than you might want.

GROSS!!

Meat and cheese guy.

Is that a banana in your pocket?

Home decorating, mostly curtains.

Watches and jewelry.

This is in the supermarket. I think it is prosciutto.

The view

the pastel

The artist with her cap from the wayside.

Only two days left.....

Numbers

This year we will have been here 65 days. We have gone to market in CVS eighteen times. There have been three major saint days, San Giovanni, San Francesco and today San Rocco.

The instant we opened our door the band started playing. I kid you not.

San Rocco and body guards make their way out of the church. He is covered in gold and money.

See fireworks really are better in the day, because you can take pictures of people and they are not in the dark.

San Rocco headed to the bank

and back to church.

We have had dinner with friends 20 times and dinner on the piazza two times. We had five guests and one dog who came twice. We used both our blankets every night and today, August 16 I am sitting on our terrace with my wind breaker on. It has rained more this year than all the other years put together. We made it to the beach six times which is our new record. We did not eat gelato everyday as in previous years, but we were not deprived. We have eaten at least 1/2 a watermelon a week for two people and 4 cantaloup.

We made some wonderful new friends and strengthened old friendships as well.

We rented a car for ten days, which is too long, but we have used it to paint farther away than we can walk. Jim did so many watercolor/pastel pencil drawings. I did at least 17 watercolors and quite a few pastels. We got an award for our commitment to CVS. I guess I was so excited about this I posted it two days in a row, but, hey, it is my blog!

And we made some repayment on our debt by giving away 26 watercolors and pastels.

We have five pieces in a gallery in Introdaqua, so we see if anything comes of that. I finished editing my book on painting and now know the plot of my mystery novel in my head.

Landscapes from the last 2 days.

My mom has moved while we were here: always stressful from far away, but it has worked out well and she is happy. I showed my stress by buying her about ten presents. Now that I realize what I did she will have to share!

In three days the mountains will close around us as we leave the dream of CVS behind and reach the wide plain of Avazano and the road to Roma.

portraints on display

Well let's see. A lot has happened. We went to the beach on Wed. and spent 6 hours. It was perfect. The temp in CVS was 34c so the beach was the place to be.

guy in his umbrella house

Yesterday I finished the last two portraits so we could hand them out last night.

Last night all the portraits were hung in front ot the stage and the mayor called people's names and they came up to get them. Some people were really dressed up so you could tell it was important to them. Many kind words were said to us by the major, it was really embarrassing, but also touching and Pasquale translated for Jim.

Even though this would not be my first choice for how to hang the portraits, if only it was all black, but I was pretty impressed with all I have done and their are 5 more that were not hung. I only had 8 when I arrived here.

Our awesome plaqe making us official friends. Now we will be able to introduce Italy into conversations even sooner.

The happy painters outstanding in their field this morning. It is an amazing view. Happy picnic day!

What??

Today we took Audrey to the bus, went painting, took a nap, ate lunch, took another nap, went shopping and then to Gole di San Venanzio to go swimming. Did we take any pictures in the beautiful Gole, one of the wonders of the world, no. We took pictures at the mall.

The shirt for me!

I love those Italian cokes, but this is my first one. Hey, I was in a mall.

Crazy night on the piazza, last portraits I swear, Audrey leaves

Last night was a desert contest. I am sorry, very sorry to say that I was not hungry, but it was a successful occasion. After that was some poetry reading by local artist backed up by music from a local band. Great jimbay playing.

A warm night with a nice breeze.

A little shop on the piazza with local produce. So pretty, right?

People on the little Piazza. There were even more at the concert.

Friends. Tried and tried to get the dog to cooperate, but have to give up.

Friends on the piazza.

Full moon and street lights over CVS.

Full moon this morning.

Audrey and Jim waiting for the Pronto bus in Pratola. Sad. It was so fun.

Portraits: I have done 25, some last winter. I still don't know if we are going to have a show or not, but I will give them away, one way or another. I have a ton to do this winter!!