Bags are Packed August 10, 2017

Bags are Packed August 10, 2017

You know all those pictures you see on the news of people fleeing from their homes in California or Texas or Oklahoma. Those stories of how people got out moments before their house was engulfed in flames. How they have nothing left, no drivers license, credit card or, worst of all their laptop or phone charger? 

When it started to smell like smoke and the eastern end of the valley was barely visible through the smoky haze I decided it was time to put a few things in the backpack. Luckily we have lots of snacks, because it is too hot to go out to the bar. Into the back pack went peanuts, little round bread thingies, chips, and two bottles of water. Such a relief. Next went a toothbrush, anxiety meds, (really do you think I should leave those behind?) all electronic devices with cords and adapters, two pair of underwear and one extra t-shirt. It was too hot to put on my jeans, but they are standing in the corner ready to jump into. Oh yes and also the passports and all our cash and wallets. Luckily there was still room for those after all the snacks. Jim said that he did not need any clean clothes. 

Random picture of the kitchen.

The wind is blowing out of the west so eventually it began to seem like the fire started somewhere not to far to our east and is being blown away. Unfortunately, now it seems like smoke is building up in the west end of the valley. So the bags are still packed. All I can say is that I do not think the new balcony will burn down. In fact the biggest danger is smoke and the gas lines exploding. After all, it is a stone town. The fire was in Avazzano. It is over the mountains from here on the way to Roma. It must have been terrible there, because the smoke was bad here. 

Waiting for the show

Last night was a celebration of the miners from our town. This happens every year and each year all the photos are displayed and speeches are given. In this case, miners means people that worked on tunnels for railroads and cars throughout Europe. There are many more tunnels here than bridges. Men left home for years at a time to work in Switzerland, Belgium and Peru. These people are regarded as heroes. After the speeches and slide shows and videos there was a play. It was about the women left behind by the miners? I think that was the story. It was in Italian, not Castelvecchiese and it was preformed by professional actors. At 11pm we just had to go home. It is difficult when you can’t understand. 

Now I have cut off the left hand side and part of the bottom. It was
a good try, but it doesn't work. 

I did go out and finish my pastel this morning, but we have not been out of the house since about 12:30 except to look at the smoke. It is over 40c today and the air is thick with sand and smoke. The story is that the temp will go down tonight. I do not know how that will happen without a big storm, but there are none predicted.