Day 5:

It's cool and gray and rainy.  No playing in my garden today.  Out here in the burbs, it could just be a quiet rainy Sunday with no one out and about.  But Torino, a city of a million inhabitants, is FREAKY.  There are videos of the streets, normally swarming with people, empty.  Public transportation is still running, though I don't know who is taking it.  The only vehicles are the police driving about with loud speakers telling people to respect the lock down.  Geesh.  Is this some dystopian future film?

Our friend and neighbor Diego, actor extraordinaire, is putting on a performance for the children in our complex tomorrow.  He and his collaborator, golden retriever Blu, will entertain us at a safe distance in the green space in front of the condos.  We can all watch them from the comfort of our balconies.

It looks like Spain is following Italy's program and closing down shop.  The UK has started putting measures in order to do the same.  Gad.  I hate the idea of not being able to get to my baby if I need to! 

Being closed in with all our neighbors has been quite eye-opening.  I have on VARIOUS occasions mentioned our wonderful upstairs neighbors; those of the constant vacuuming, arguing and singing.  But I've never spoken much about the others.  The ones we actually like! 

Across the hall we have a mother and daughter.  Anna is a widow, retired teacher; very mild mannered and kind.  They have lived there as long as we've owned the place, well over 30 years.  (Her husband Enzo, was once accused of assault by the insane upstairs guy when Enzo lifted him off the ground by his lapels and told him, quite genteelly I'm sure, to keep his voice down when singing.  Enzo was great...)  Neither Mom nor daughter work.  Mom as mentioned is retired and daughter (30ish), though she has a masters in something, has never worked but spends her days between the gym, time with her friends and home gardening with her mother.  She is a carbon copy of her mom.  They are the image of gentlewomen.   Yesterday daughter, Eliana, and I were chatting through our adjoining hedge about our gardens.  Imagine my surprise when I heard a loud, "VAI A FANCULO!" (pretty much the equivalent of Motherfucker) from their kitchen.  Anna was listening to the news.  She was not happy.  But she certainly put a smile on MY face!

stay well!
xxoo me