August 28, 2011
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So after obliging me with a mini photo-shoot, the signore in the pink cap takes off. I walk up and down hills to another part of town.
Note the wrist and waist decor.
I find a house dripping with flowers–some real, some plastic. I start poking around, trying to separate reality from illusion. It’s still early morning; the light is gold.
Out steps a man from a doorway. That man. Still in his pink cap.
Ciao, he says. Do you like this building? Yes? Wanna have a look inside?
I hesitate for a split second then follow him in.
The first room is dark, lit only by an enormous psychedelic fish tank–a swirl of purple lights and brilliant tropical creatures. A few chairs line one wall.
Salla d’attesa, he says. Waiting room.
Waiting for what, in God’s name?
We enter another room. It is festooned with masses of plastic red roses, vines dangling from the vaulted ceiling and curling over the walls.
In the center of the room stands an examination table.
A stethoscope hangs from a hook.
“Are you a doctor?”
“Sí, internal medicine.”
I try to hide my surprise. “You’re an interesting man!” is about all I can muster.
Then I’m back on the street, regretting that I haven’t even asked his name.
***
I thought the answer would be someone who arranges yards, gardens… :)))
I guess looks can be deceiving, Stela! 🙂 Thanks for commenting. xxx
Hahahaha…What a marvelous intrigue, and then all the doubt cast upon your observations and surety that he is indeed a doctor because he took you to an office next door to the cathedral. Was there no signage? No business card? And, what does his belt buckle say (in what language?) If I were a mystery writer, I’d run with this one!
Next time I go to that town, Aysha, you can bet I’ll have a good look at his door!! It was not a “business card” type of encounter, so I didn’t ask for a one, but I got the idea that since he saw I was so intrigued by all the exterior flowers, he wanted to show off all the interior ones, too. It all seemed perfectly sweet, hospitable, eccentric, and innocent to me!
HHHmmmmmmmm, very interesting….
Unfortunately, that profession never came to mind…
Intriguing….
I think I need to go shopping for my trip next week to Sicily. I’ve got all the wrong clothes, and no jewelry. The only thing I have going for me is that my grandfather came from Sicily. Great pictures, great stories. As always, enjoy your blog entries.
Happy travels, Charlie!! Thanks for commenting.
Jann, this is just another example of how appearances can be deceiving. And it’s an example of how we are small minded enough to think that just because a man puts on a pink cap and jewelry, it’s impossible for him to be a doctor. Unbelievable. I think that as members of society we need to lighten up and break through the barriers of stereotyping and believing that only certain appearances qualify for this and that. Perhaps this is the reason that fat women are sneered at when they dare wear certain fashion styles or why real men shouldn’t wear certain colors. Enough already. I say it’s time we got past this retro, ridiculous way of thinking and opened our minds to something more than judging others based on what they look like or wear. Rant over. Soap box back in the corner. 🙂 My hat comes off for the good doctor and his good sense of hospitality.
Thanks for getting on your soapbox, Bella!
I never would have thought him to be a dottore. Then again, Italian male fashion is much more ambitious than American’s especially with color. Not the type of doctor that I would want to be examined by. Weird.
The men here are also very good storytellers… i would need to see his diploma and even then would decline the exam!
Yes! I should have known. My doc here in midtown Atlanta is in a renovated warehouse that is also a Pilates studio. The contemporary artwork, fountains and sculpture he has could be considered the American urban equivalent of Dr. Pink Hat’s plastic flower adorned Sicilian house – unique and personal.
Oh, BTW, my doc here wears pink and drives a BMW convertible! And I have the same Aviator watch as the one Dr. Pink Hat is wearing. Check your Duty Free shopping magazine on your next international flight for yours….LOL
Tom, yes I just considered this man unique, with a unique aesthetic. So he got his watch from the Duty Free magazine?? He was probably traveling to a medical conference. There are so many doubters here, but I am not one of them! Thanks for your comment.
Very interesting but you would not find anyone dressed like this in Milano. The businessmen and professionals such as doctors are the most conservatively dressed men I have ever seen. A blue shirt and expensive tie and shoes along with bespoke suit are a rule. They are very elegant.
I would never say that he was a doctor…a fascinating experience
—Loooooove his pink hat, but somethings weird.. I don’t like the idea of one having “Plastic Flowers!!!”
Grazie per l’articolo…. Here in Berkeley, California for a couple years I’ve been given some flak for wearing a light pink shirt with a brilliant yellow tie, I’ve been told that the colors should not be worn by men because they “aren’t manly”, of course hearing that I wear the shirt and tie just that more often; honestly, in this day and age I never expected to hear such nonsense, especially since the three people admonishing me are women and are continuously in pants! Well, due to your article and photos I’m now bound to find an electric neon pink shirt the exact same color as the gentleman’s hat in your photo… Though I will draw the line at lime green pants!!! Thanks again….
Gian, I guess we really have strong stereotypes about what people should look like or what they should wear, especially if they’re a doctor!
Is it just Americans, in your experience? Men in Italy (and the rest of Europe) seem to have much more freedom in how they can dress. Go for that neon pink shirt!
I immediately thought, “What a pick-up line!” (ie. a bad one). I see from the previous two comments that I am not alone in my suspicious reaction. Internal medicine, indeed! Maybe something got lost in translation.
I don’t think so! His office is too visible, next door to the cathedral. He wasn’t in the least flirty, just very kind.
Okay, THAT was unexpected.
BOIA! I agree with Wayne!
BACI-Christine
Ragusa’s underbelly, that was a come on if I ever heard one
Really, Wayne? I’m sure he’s for real. Office next door to cathedral!