February 26, 2013
ITALY’S general elections are over, there’s a hung parliament, a comedian holds the cards, the eurozone is having conniptions, the markets are falling, confusion reigns.
But life goes on in Sicily. People were out and about today, looking unfazed.
Here is Angelo, who lives a block or two and a few flights of stairs below me, in front of his lovely red doors.
Carmelo was chasing down his dog, Attila. When he finally nabbed him, I asked if they’d pose. (Attila was way more eager than his human.)
These women didn’t seem to mind my camera or that I interrupted their gabfest, but, boo, I forgot to ask their names.
Angelo #2. He spotted me in his alleyway and asked what was I doing walking all alone (!) on a chilly day (mid-50s)? I said I had a job to do, that I loved his smile, and would he mind ?
I want those people to be MY neighbors!
Ahhhh Jann. You make my day with every post!!!!! I would like to borrow the wall outside Angelo’s house for a photo shoot too. Would you mind asking him for me? The underlying message here doesn’t escape me though. The Italians have made just getting on with ‘nonostante tutto’ into an art form, thank goodness! xx
Yes, Janine–the art of shrugging stuff off… I’m learning from them not to get so riled up about what I can’t change.
Jann,
I love when you bring me to meet the wonderful people of Italy.
thank you. Love the fluffy white dog. Love that sweet man’s smile.
& I love you.
Xxx
And the wonderful people of Italy are waiting and waiting to meet My Inner Chick!!! They’d love you over here, Kim–I’m sure of it.
Just regular folks, but with so much character in their faces. And their friendly grins show just how much you charm them, as they so obviously charm you…and us.
Aw, shucks, louciao. You’re so kind.
thank you for producing these artful snapshots of the people and places of Sicily. You have a wonderful penetrating optic storyline. I wait anxiously
for your weekly mail so I too can travel amongst the people and places of your island.
Ciao Tom–welcome to the blog and thank you so much for your comment. I’m very honored that you follow the blog. Grazie mille.
Love,love,love how your pictures and stories take me back to that wonderful island and the life I hope to live someday. I felt so at home in the small village where my family is from. Thanks for the bright spot. Love seeing the posts in my email especially on a cold dreary Ohio night
Ciao Maria–thank you so much for your words of encouragement, and I’m so glad to hear the blog adds a moment of cheer to your cold days (it’s been a wee bit chilly here too though recently…). Keep dreamin’ the dream, cara!
Its nice to see the calm life on the street, beneath the political storm raging above.
Yes, let’s hope the calm on the street continues, Sam. One person I spoke to recently said “It’s time to get out the guns.” I don’t think there are too many guns in the hands of citizens here… and I hope he was speaking metaphorically or something…
Might it be funny to ask Jann why Carmelo named his dog Attila or Atilla ( you have used both version of the name ) a name adopted and frequently given to Hungarian and Turkish boys…? Is it because of like or dislike?
Ha, Cemal–if I see this man again I shall ask. But I think people love their pets, so I’d assume the name Attila has good connotations for them. I just searched “Attila” and learned of his Turkish roots. I did not remember that from my history lessons, so long ago.
From Wikipedia
The Huns were a group of Eurasian nomads, appearing from east of the Volga, who migrated into Europe c. 370 and built up an enormous empire there. Their main military techniques were mounted archery and javelin throwing. They were possibly the descendants of the Xiongnu who had been northern neighbours of China three hundred years before[6] and may be the first expansion of Turkic people across Eurasia.
How I adored the photos. Have a good day. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Peggy, thank you so much for your comment.
Oh dear! I was hoping for better news about the elections. Italians have a genuine art for carrying as usual…but then, they have never been well governed
That smart people who live so well and so artfully cannot come up with a better-run government is a mystery to me.
I love how you capture the real essence of your town-it’s people!
🙂 Janie–Sicily is beautiful and all that but what really lured me was the people.
“Atilla” looks like he’s ready to eat your camera, ha! He looks like an armful of dog, too!
Yes, I was afraid he was going to snap off my head!