Picture the scene: a small Sicilian town on the last Saturday morning of Italy's two-week summer break. It is very hot and the streets are almost as deserted as they were on the ferragosto bank holiday itself. The few shops that are open on the modern via Sacro Cuore are offering massive discounts to get rid of their summer stock but even with these, they are empty. In the supermarket there are only three customers and you can see that the staff are itching to get to the beach. The two cars that are illegally parked right outside a bar go unnoticed for now as our local vigile is sheltering from the sun in the perfumery and is enjoying himself chatting to the young lady assistants. Raffaele, my hairdresser, who reopened for a few hours yesterday, had said I could go back for a comb-out at twelve today - this is the only time of year when you need to make what passes for an "appointment" - but had called an hour before to ask if I could go earlier so that he and his staff could all escape back to the Marina. Grumpily, I go and he greets me with, "You have the sea in your eyes" so what can a girl do but melt?
The economy continues to go down the drain, the rest of Europe panics but the Italians, who know that all things pass, are still at the beach - living. I love you, Italy.
And I cannot let August pass without reposting the quintessential summer song. Take it away, signor Paoli:
Gino Paoli - Sapore di sale
5 comments:
We need to import a little of the Italian "belle cose" to Southern California. We have the beach...
Ah yes, that old Italian saying, che sera' sera'.
Tomorrow will take care of itself? Great classic song!
Yes, you sound like a true Italian in heart and soul.
Ah yes, Patricia. You have that to start with! Yes, that's it, Rosaria. Good to have you back here. x Yes, it's one of my all-time favourites, Saretta. I am getting there, Ellee. x
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