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
View from Convento de Cristo once a Templar stronghold
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Day 4:
Who woulda thunk it. The Chinese have come to the rescue. The Chinese government has sent a boatload (literally) of experts and supplies to help Italy through this time of crisis. Great political move and much more than any other European nation or the US have done. Wow.
So no more venturing out except for walks around the block and trips to the supermarket. They are getting serious now. Our friend Beppe took his dog for an early morning walk and was stopped and checked by the police to ensure that he hadn't ventured out of his neighborhood.
Last night, in a rough but trendy zone of Torino, there was a breakout dance party entirely on balconies. The area, San Salvario, has always been iffy. Years ago GP and I rented there for a few months and at the time it was still all Italian. However it was an area run by the mob. There was a bar on the corner where a fat boss hung out day and night receiving tributes. The area was occupied by hookers and x rated movie theaters and betting houses. We had a whorehouse across the street. I have to say though, there was no safer place to park your car or walk home alone at night. No one would touch you in that neighborhood as it was watched over by the local gang. One time GP arrived home very late and exhausted from a trip and accidentally left his wallet on the dashboard of his car. Anyone who has spent any time here knows you leave NOTHING in sight in your car. He awoke in the morning in a panic, sure that someone would have broken into the car and stolen it. But no. He'd parked right in front of the corner bar. The same bar where the old boss hung out. The car was fine, with his wallet still in plain sight on the dashboard. Ironically, a few years later we moved here, to this condo, in a far nicer area; a quiet residential suburb. Our first night here, GP's car was stolen from the parking lot. But I digress. Anywho, the city area, San Salvario, is now a trendy area full of restaurants, clubs and bars and occupied by students and immigrants. It's still pretty sketchy and there are drug arrests most weekends. But last night was something special. With all the opportunities for nightlife closed, the kids who live in the area put on an impromptu party. Everyone went out on their balconies and danced. Music blasted from 100 apartments and lights were on in all the windows. There are videos on YouTube. Wonderful.
So we're hanging out and hanging in there. Be well all, xxoo me
Who woulda thunk it. The Chinese have come to the rescue. The Chinese government has sent a boatload (literally) of experts and supplies to help Italy through this time of crisis. Great political move and much more than any other European nation or the US have done. Wow.
So no more venturing out except for walks around the block and trips to the supermarket. They are getting serious now. Our friend Beppe took his dog for an early morning walk and was stopped and checked by the police to ensure that he hadn't ventured out of his neighborhood.
Last night, in a rough but trendy zone of Torino, there was a breakout dance party entirely on balconies. The area, San Salvario, has always been iffy. Years ago GP and I rented there for a few months and at the time it was still all Italian. However it was an area run by the mob. There was a bar on the corner where a fat boss hung out day and night receiving tributes. The area was occupied by hookers and x rated movie theaters and betting houses. We had a whorehouse across the street. I have to say though, there was no safer place to park your car or walk home alone at night. No one would touch you in that neighborhood as it was watched over by the local gang. One time GP arrived home very late and exhausted from a trip and accidentally left his wallet on the dashboard of his car. Anyone who has spent any time here knows you leave NOTHING in sight in your car. He awoke in the morning in a panic, sure that someone would have broken into the car and stolen it. But no. He'd parked right in front of the corner bar. The same bar where the old boss hung out. The car was fine, with his wallet still in plain sight on the dashboard. Ironically, a few years later we moved here, to this condo, in a far nicer area; a quiet residential suburb. Our first night here, GP's car was stolen from the parking lot. But I digress. Anywho, the city area, San Salvario, is now a trendy area full of restaurants, clubs and bars and occupied by students and immigrants. It's still pretty sketchy and there are drug arrests most weekends. But last night was something special. With all the opportunities for nightlife closed, the kids who live in the area put on an impromptu party. Everyone went out on their balconies and danced. Music blasted from 100 apartments and lights were on in all the windows. There are videos on YouTube. Wonderful.
So we're hanging out and hanging in there. Be well all, xxoo me
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Day 3:
Well all non necessity shops are now closed. Only supermarkets and pharmacies remain open but with limited staff and some limited hours. The shelves are nice and full though as commercial transport is still running. GP did a big supermarket run today for us and of course MIL. He came home with lots of wine so we're good. There are still some flights running, mostly KLM. I guess the dutch think they're untouchable. Trains seem to be running but probably also limited. We are in touch with our friends via Whatsapp and phone. Some are stressed out, others are taking it in stride. As walking around is the only activity left to folks, there are lots of strollers and dogs taking the air. All are keeping a respectable distance from one another.
Oh. And in response to dickhead blocking all flights from Europe and spreading hate by calling it a "foreign virus" I have this to say:
Donnie you dimwitted hatemonger, did you know that the first case of CoV in the US was brought in from China and NOT Europe? Did you know that the US with it's BEAUTIFUL private healthcare system has far fewer hospital beds and especially ICU beds than Italy, China or S.Korea, all countries with universal healthcare. (oooo bad!) AND did you know that when the shit hits the fan in The States thousands of people will end in bankruptcy for lack of healthcare and loss of work and you and your blackhearted cronies won't even pass a bill temporarily nullifying copays! Here in commie land NO ONE will lose a home, job or health coverage. Will someone PLEASE SPIT ON THAT MAN!!!!! Oh, and btw. Exempt from all CoV protective protocol are the 20,000 American troops being sent to Europe for joint exercises with European troops. Really?
stay well xxoo me
Well all non necessity shops are now closed. Only supermarkets and pharmacies remain open but with limited staff and some limited hours. The shelves are nice and full though as commercial transport is still running. GP did a big supermarket run today for us and of course MIL. He came home with lots of wine so we're good. There are still some flights running, mostly KLM. I guess the dutch think they're untouchable. Trains seem to be running but probably also limited. We are in touch with our friends via Whatsapp and phone. Some are stressed out, others are taking it in stride. As walking around is the only activity left to folks, there are lots of strollers and dogs taking the air. All are keeping a respectable distance from one another.
Oh. And in response to dickhead blocking all flights from Europe and spreading hate by calling it a "foreign virus" I have this to say:
Donnie you dimwitted hatemonger, did you know that the first case of CoV in the US was brought in from China and NOT Europe? Did you know that the US with it's BEAUTIFUL private healthcare system has far fewer hospital beds and especially ICU beds than Italy, China or S.Korea, all countries with universal healthcare. (oooo bad!) AND did you know that when the shit hits the fan in The States thousands of people will end in bankruptcy for lack of healthcare and loss of work and you and your blackhearted cronies won't even pass a bill temporarily nullifying copays! Here in commie land NO ONE will lose a home, job or health coverage. Will someone PLEASE SPIT ON THAT MAN!!!!! Oh, and btw. Exempt from all CoV protective protocol are the 20,000 American troops being sent to Europe for joint exercises with European troops. Really?
stay well xxoo me
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