Saturday, January 10, 2009

OUT AND ABOUT


It is so good to be able to get out and about independently again and, as today has been gloriously sunny, I ventured down to some of my old haunts in the via Sacro Cuore and found a new one, too: “Where’s the paper shop gone?” I asked myself in a panic the first time I was able to walk down there. It was a couple of days before I realised that it has been modernised, having become a bookshop as well and that the café, which at first glance I thought had replaced it, has merely been built in front of it, which is quite a good idea. I checked out the latter at aperitivo time for I always say that you can tell what a café is really like by whether they bring you a complimentary plate of tramezzini [little bites] at that hour and if they do, by the speed and generosity of the service. Those in the photograph came along immediately, were attractively arranged and the plate contained a good variety of tastes. This café is not somewhere to have a meal but could be a pleasant stopping -off place to have a coffee or g&t whilst playing my favourite game of "people-watching".

In the stationer’s the owner wanted to know all about my recent absence from Raffaele the hairdresser’s and the street in general and much empathy was expressed. Then , in the perfumery, the manageress asked how I was and added, “You know, when you came in looking so pale, leaning on your friend’s arm a couple of months ago I was really upset to see an independent, capable woman like you having to be supported like that.” [This was in October, just before I went into hospital and I was purchasing a few essentials to go in such as perfume – a girl has to keep trying whatever the circumstances!] I have, of course, visited the shop since my recovery but, due to the Christmas rush, this is the first time the lady has had a moment to chat. Isn’t it strange, how other people see you? - “Independent and capable” is certainly not how I see myself!

Just now, coming back with Simi, a voice behind me yelled “Signora!” and, turning in the darkness, I recognised the gentleman from the bookshop in our street : “Buona sera”, said I, thinking he only wanted to greet Simi and me, but then he came up to us proffering a tray of handmade biscuits, encouraging me to take not one, but two. “What’s the occasion?” I asked. “Oh, it’s my cousin’s birthday and I thought I’d celebrate it at work as well as later on when I see him.”

No outing is dull in Sicily!

7 comments:

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

That must of made your day, lovely how they asked about your absence, and how you are :-)

CherryPie said...

I bet that was so much fun after not being able to get out very much :-)

Rowena said...

Glad to see that you're out and about. Aperitivo hour is always a dangerous one for me -- it usually ends up that I never want it to end!

Liz Hinds said...

What lovely people. And, of course, you are independent and capable!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Anne. Yes, they are very kind. Hi, Cherie. Yes, it was fun! Thanks, Rowena. I have the same problem at aperitivo time! Hi, Liz. Keep telling me thjat last bit!

jmb said...

How nice that you are getting back to your old favourite places Welshcakes.

Have you been to L'Altro Posto as yet? I am sure they were/will be glad to see you again.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, jmb. I think I'll answer your question in another post.

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