Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12

Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12

After a fine Abruzzi dinner, arrostichini, roasted peppers, salad and cheese we decided to take a little walk. It was not so hot now that the sun was down and there was a little breeze. Conveniently, and perhaps not surprisingly, our walk ended at the gelato place downtown. Jim had his “solo lemone” and as the chocolate was sold out I had strawberry and Straccelado, I don’t think I spelled that correctly but it is a little bit like chocolate chip. The first bite of strawberry made all ice cream in the U.S. seem pathetic. There really is a difference. We had gelato in the Italian North End of Boston a few weeks ago at the most Italian place I have seen in America and it was nothing like the gelato in the little coffee bar in CVS. I was so greedy that I forgot to take a pictureI was also cruising for painting spots and took this photo. 

View of CVS from below our street

Jim working in the kitchen at night

When we got home Jim did the dishes. I don’t think I have taken a photo of our kitchen at night. It was still a little light after 9pm. We were not out late enough to mingle with the after dinner crowd. We saw a few people going home for dinner. 

This morning, Sunday, we got out a little earlier than yesterday. I feel that I have forgotten more about Italy this year than in years previous. It was actually shocking how fast people drive throughout the piazza.  

This picture is a typical moment where a vegetable truck is blocking the view of oncoming traffic and a little tractor is pulling out of the cross street. We don’t usually buy from this guy, because he always gives and charges you more than you ask for, but this time my Italian was up to him and I was able to buy one and only one basil plant. It is very healthy and is planted on the terrace. You may not remember that everyone grows their own basil so it is hard to buy in the market. 

After coffee I walked up the street to look at the church steeple and see how much scaffolding had been taken down. This change represents a lot of work. The scaffolding is built like a giant erector set with connectors between metal rods and then wood put on top of each level. The crane carries down the piece after the men have disassembled it. That is a serious job in itself. 

I took a picture of Jim sitting with the guys and then another of him leaving the coffee bar after paying. Walking home we saw two cats and a tractor going up a one way street. i am sorry to say the coloured panels are still on the church. Luckily they are peeling and perhaps it will be back to it’s pristine state soon. 

After a short rest it was on to the Campionato di Mietitura Amano which was a repeat of the harvesting grain by hand competition we saw last year. I am happy to say that once again the tech shop woman’s team won. Our friend Victorio was there all dressed up with a scythe, but all he did was pose for pictures.  There were at least twice as many people participating as last year. 

Our wise guy friend, Victorio, with the original wise guy

Victorio's Brother

Jim, in hat, Matt and Gail.

The winner two years in a row and the only woman. She also owns the tech shop so she is multi talented. 

There was also an asino which Victorio claimed was his brother. You decide. 

Which picture was original and which two were created in Elements 13? I am sure you can tell. Victorio did no work the whole morning, just posed for photos.

We had to miss the yummy food, because we went on an impromptu picnic in the mountains with Matt and Gail (they live in Worcester, VT and Gagliano Aterno, proving once again the small world theory as we met them here).

It is troppo caldo here which means too hot. We have been hanging out inside since lunch and are just now at almost 7pm thinking of venturing out again.