OF BUTCHERS AND BANKERS

To the large butcher's shop this morning to order duck. I have not tasted duck since I left Britain as you never see it on sale here but this butcher had told Irma that he will be stocking it next week. And behold, the butcher had had the bright idea of using a real, antique carretto siciliano as the centrepiece of his decorations. With his permission, I photographed it as best I could.

The Ancient Greeks brought the concept of a cart shaped in this way to the island but the painting of the vehicles did not begin until the second half of the nineteenth century, the purpose being to protect the wood from the sun and rain. The tradition continued into the early twentieth century and the painting became more and more ornate so that even when the carts were used by farm labourers, they showed off the wealth of the landowner. Scenes from folklore and legend were most often depicted and the red and yellow colours of Palermo's flag were frequently used. The cart in the butcher's shop was from Catania.

Sadly, nowadays the carts are found only in museums and, sadder still, the last traditional cart painter may very soon be forced to give up his trade. The various parts of the carts are now collectors' pieces, especially the plaque underneath the cart bearing the painter's name.

Back at the condominio, the water had run out again and the service is sospeso, says the Comune. [How can they suspend the public water system just before Christmas?!] So once again I, being the only person at home this afternoon, paid for a private water carrier to refill the cistern. The first co-tenant I saw after this event was my very own bank manager, whom I promptly asked for his 7 euro contribution. It was the first time in my life that I've been able to tell a bank manager that he owed me money and I revelled in the moment, reader!