This everyday event is called 'La Passeggiata'. It is an Italian ritual where Italians, from about 5 to 7 pm, take a walk. They get dressed up and stroll around the streets and converse with each other.
It was very busy in the streets and the Sesto park we went to. The older men sat on the benches and talked while the young kids played in the courtyard. Also, I noticed there were a lot of mother's walking with their children...no signs of their husbands for some reason, maybe working? Most people either had a piece of pizza or a glass of wine in their hands. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. I went because my friend had to go and observe this for his class, and I was not doing anything at the time.
No i-pods or any other devices that provided people their personal privacy by taking them out of the social realm.
Any freaky animals or bugs:
No, no freaky bugs yet. They have a lot of lizards running around though. Mosquitos are bad too. Actually, I just remembered, I saw a jellyfish in the sea Saturday. Typical jellyfish, about 8 inches in diameter, that was really cool.
Favorite food and drinks:
The food at the villa is unbelievable, we have a chef, Nino, who cooks breakfast, lunch and dinner every weekday. Nino is actually a former opera singer and he sings happy birthday (in italian) when it is someones birthday, he's pretty damn good. Pasta and water every night, I need meat and coke though, so I go to the deli and get salami and a coke occasionally. They don't drink beer or have bars every street block like we do. People are looked down upon if they are drunk, so last night after Michigan lost was my first drunk here. They have 2 hours out of the day where everyone goes into the streets and socializes, crazy, I know.
The wine at the wine tasting was awesome. I also went out to a pizzeria and that pizza was amazing, still not comparable to Fricano's.
Interesting people:
I haven't met many people outside the villa yet. In cinque terra I was suprised, I ran into a few people from west michigan.
Ilsa, an old german woman, who I sat next to on the plane was an interesting meet. She talked my ear off. The students at the villa are a different breed but fun too, you can tell they all come from rich parents, they're from Duke and Wisconsin.
Girls:
I have some pictures. Nothing worth sending or posting, but some pictures. In general, they are much better looking, not to much McDonalds or obesity goes on over here. They dress much more promiscuously over here. That girl was our tour guide at the wine tasting, barely spoke english.
2 comments:
I am very curious to hear more about the two hours of socializing that happens everyday. Is it in the evening? Do people just hang out in the streets, literally? Is there a name for it?
I want to know more about the girls
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