Six months on.Maybe time to take stock eh? Have I started to integrate into Italian society? I may have put down some roots but have I produced any new leaves or fruit?
It's early July now. And yes it's hot. Very hot. Across Europe we've been battled with temperatures that have exceeded even those of 76. Back in England, an all -time high of 34.5 (94F) was recorded at Heathrow on the 21st of June. What a year to choose to move to Italy!
So what's it like here then? Well every day in June the temperatures have exceeded 30 degrees- which I'm informed is untypically hot even for southern Italy. The grapes are swelling only on watered vines and ripe plums and we see apricots being picked in early evenings. Yes, mad dogs and Englishmen......But you're a Scot. Didn't the legendary Scottish missionary, David Livingstone survive the heat and insects of darkest Peru? Or was that Paddington Bear? Anyway that was long before the invention of the double raspberry magnum! Nevertheless in such heat- heat that's lifted many floor tiles in our study- you struggle to take stock of anything beyond the contents of our fridge- freezer!
So where is Maddaloni? Its at the foot of one of theTifata hills, in central Campania. What is it like? Its a large town with a population of almost 40.000. Towering above the town you can see the medieval castle and church of San Michele. Looks good eh? Sadly one of the first things you see from the autostrada is the huge redundant cement factory. Anyway it does have a number of churches with very beautiful paintings and decoration. It does have charm and its pretty typical for Campania.
So back to the evening. Mediterranean garden.
Tasty pasta dinner. A carafe of some good local red wine. You get the picture.
The band are excellent. They play Tammurriotan music. The singer takes us through a range of well known songs, 17th century Neapolitan bards and some of his own compositions, celebrating the culture and life of this region. 'Nothing
is wrong with Maddaloni' he croons.
Well except the deep potholes in the road that have nearly destroyed my husband's car, he may be right. Anyway with a beautiful sunset and a cooling breeze to complete a perfect evening, I'm not in any mood to find fault with the town- or with anything for that matter!
The band plays on. My employer asks me to dance the Tarantella with her. It is an energetic but intricate dance, requiring coordination and poise. Both of which I decidedly lack. But when did that ever stop me! And anyway I didn't want to give offence.
So I get up and dance not only with her but with some other guests. For a short time I even manage to mirror the movements of my partners.
Later that evening my employer gives a speech. She talked about local culture and how it can be transmitted through movement. I sincerely hope so! Roots yes. And maybe some strange fruit!
I'd love to hear from some of my readers. How have you tested your integration into a new society?
Tasty pasta dinner. A carafe of some good local red wine. You get the picture.
The band are excellent. They play Tammurriotan music. The singer takes us through a range of well known songs, 17th century Neapolitan bards and some of his own compositions, celebrating the culture and life of this region. 'Nothing
is wrong with Maddaloni' he croons.Well except the deep potholes in the road that have nearly destroyed my husband's car, he may be right. Anyway with a beautiful sunset and a cooling breeze to complete a perfect evening, I'm not in any mood to find fault with the town- or with anything for that matter!
The band plays on. My employer asks me to dance the Tarantella with her. It is an energetic but intricate dance, requiring coordination and poise. Both of which I decidedly lack. But when did that ever stop me! And anyway I didn't want to give offence.
So I get up and dance not only with her but with some other guests. For a short time I even manage to mirror the movements of my partners.
Later that evening my employer gives a speech. She talked about local culture and how it can be transmitted through movement. I sincerely hope so! Roots yes. And maybe some strange fruit!
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