Are we Lazy, or Doing our work

Your choice-we call it work

Some random thoughts on Italy. Everyone has these very deliberate haircuts. Whether they are short only on the sides, or crisply trim, or top long, whatever, the effect is that there are a lot of barbershops cutting hair, and it is my impression that people are aware of each other and how they look. Additionally, there is a noticeable style that most of the men and women I see seem to have; they apparently effortlessly choose clothes and look fashionable.

How is it that those identical clothes could be worn by others without the same total effect? Is it in the walk?

I do not know how they do it — it doesn’t cost less here. In fact, clothing is somewhat expensive. But, even when strolling over to a coffee, or along the street, there is a special sauce that has been cooked up, even with the shoes, which are nearly always pristine. So many dresses, and quite often the sweater worn around the shoulder. I wish I could find the right words, but I am pretty sure that the same clothes on another would not leave that impression. And I don’t even know what to call it. LaBella Figura, maybe.

In Italy babies are Bambini- everyone knows that. Young children are Bimbi, and older children are Ragazzi. They seem to have a bit more independence at each age, although with the Bambini, they are never far from a guardian. We’ve seen lots of barely-skilled walking bimbi toddling about, a parent watching, but hands off. The kids ride through town on their bikes, somewhat carefree. Life is lived quite a bit outside, here where we are, at least it seems that way, as we watch people greeting each other over and over.

And another question for the ages. The average life span of Italians, for 2021 is higher for Italy (average 84.01) than for the U.S. of A. (average 79.11- we are 46th in the list, Italy is 6th) Why? We Americani are behind Poland, Guam, Lebanon and Chili, to name a few. Medical care seems a bit haphazard here in Italy and I see no urgent care facilities anywhere, few hospitals. Everywhere people are smoking, people — don’t you know the risk? Everything tells us that smoking is a life hazard, a number one threat.

I’m stumped about that one. People here do walk, and they eat carbs, and fresh veggies and maybe that makes the difference. Maybe it’s the long mid-day hours. Maybe it’s not having to be number one, and full of ego. Maybe it’s all the churches. Maybe it’s the Ravioli.

Please feel free to check out brother Bill’s “Oh Contrarian” blog, as it has better descriptions, and photos, which I have yet to learn how to attach. He also has a great camera, and he knows how to use it.

The local grocery has pasta fruit and meat — the pasta is in so many varieties, and then the selections of them can be fresh, boxed, dried, or ready to eat. Lots of fish resting on ice, including fresh octopus ( can’t eat it after watching my Octopus teacher ) and sells everything but postcards- still hunting the elusive postcard.

We are both catching up on writing, or working, quietly enjoying the break in routine.I have lots of work to do to edit, maybe re-write one of the novels before it is ready to submit to get an agent. This seems like a sweet time to work, as we can roll into Chiavari mid-evening for a coffee and a gelato, and be a part of the town, then use the rest of the day for some focused attention, the hum of traffic in the background and the sun coming in the window.

Here’s the access to Bill’s photos and fuller explanations of things. Enjoy!