Learning to Crawl!
Learning to Crawl
We have been here only two weeks and it seems we have
accomplished quite a bit on our to-do lists. It was necessary to register Loree
with the local police, as she is a foreigner, but can stay here indefinitely as
long as I am here. As a married couple she has all the rights to Italian
services. Surprisingly this was accomplished in 20 minutes provided that I
correctly filled out the forms. I have reviewed now so many pages of forms and
contracts in Italian, that I may consider entering law school.
Readers of our last blog will note that our apartment while spanking
new did not have working fridge, hot water, or workable sink faucet. I am happy
to report that of all this has been corrected…. sort-of. I have learned hell hath no fury like a wife
without a hot shower! Having patiently waited for our landlord to correct the
water issues I decided it was time to take some manly action. “Buongiorno Sr.
Godi, mia moglie è
arrabbiata con me! Quando possiamo aspettarci l’aqcua calda?”
Telling him my wife is angry with me regarding the lack of hot water was enough
to send the architect, electrician and technician in the same afternoon.
Apparently, when wives and mothers are in peril in Italy, immediate action is
taken! Note to self, play the angry signora card when all else fails.
We have been enjoying ourselves locally. Our good friend
Liza Dolza, born in Michigan, but living here nearby for nearly 25 years has
been the angel on our shoulder. Liza runs cycling tours here in Bassano Del
Grappa through her business: “Cycling Made in Italy” http://cyclingmadeinitaly.com/biking_vacations/Who_what.html
If you want credentials; she rode the Giro d’Italia femminile.
We are starting to be perceived as locals now as we frequent
the same cafes and gastronamie, the latter of which Mara, the proprietor greets
us with a smile and always has a prepared take-away dish for Loree senza lattacine! That’s correct, my wife is lactose intolerant
in a country known for its dishes made with cheese! However, there is a huge
vegetarian movement throughout Italy, where the strictest followers only eat
vegetables and fruit so it is not unusual to find pre-prepared dishes of this
nature.
We recently tested the local Chinese restaurant expecting mediocrity
and finding it so good we returned the following evening. It is the only
sit-down Chinese restaurant anywhere in walking distance so we were thrilled!
Oddly enough or not, Japanese sushi has caught on in this area and the Japanese
restaurants are plentiful here in the surrounding area.
We seem to find something new and enchanting around every
corner in this ancient city. Just
yesterday we walked along the Brenta River path with cousins Ruggero and
Franca, in which the short route takes you 12 kilometers. For those
Americans still employing the King Henry
I measuring system it was 7.2 miles, not including the 1.5 mile walk to and
from the starting point. Normally we
would be somewhat proud of ourselves for all the hiking we did that day and do
daily except for the fact that we regularly see 80-90 year old “Nonne” riding
bikes up streets most goats would shudder at. We returned after our walk
somewhat tired and Loree ready for a shower when once again the “’acqua calda
non funzionale.”
Love the blogs, my friends!
ReplyDeleteMay you soon enjoy strong, hot, fresh, clean water showers (one of my favorite things).
Also want to ask, how amazingly brave is young Loree, by your side in these life changing adventures?!
ReplyDeleteYou two share a beautiful relationship.