No supermarkets. No Big Box stores. No Consolidated Fashion houses. No Home Deport. No Shoe Warehouse. What would you do?
We did what others have done forever. We went to the market.
It claimed to be “Antiche” – An antique fair, but oh no – so much more, although those old things were there. We could purchase worn and dented army helmets, a German hat or two, complete with insignia, a gas mask of unknown vintage, bits and bobs of electrical machinery, coins, stamps, ancient pottery turned into jewelry, old clothes, and fur coats, new clothes, books, records, and art – lots of art. This happens once a month, and I cannot imagine the hours involved with the setup that is required for each vendor to tote their wares to this fair and present them over many blocks in the center of the oldest portions of the city. From ancient to extremely modern, it was represented. It was cold, too, and we were all scarfed and hatted, noses pink in the chill, on the hunt.
We bought five cartoon replicas by a famous political cartoonist whose trademark was to put current politicians on the faces of historic figures. I know – weird of us – but I get the humor even without translation. One area displayed an entire table and chair set for eight. Newly upholstered, and the wood was of good quality, set up toward the sunny side of an open square where it could be admired. After we enjoyed a cappuccino and a brioche, we began the walk back – it was now noonish and of course, the stalls had finally emptied out of customers, most gone for the mid-day break. People stood in little clusters chatting amiably. When we again passed the dining set for sale, it was filled with laughing people, all happily eating their lunches, drinking their glasses of wine a demonstration of its utility, potential for companionship. Oh the fellowship this complete set would provide if it was in your house.Buy it now. Very enterprising of someone.
We are still trying to get our sleep time to work within the local hours. No great success so far, so we are trying a different routine. And the internet, upon which we are so dependent, has been out now for six days. No one worked on it over the weekend of course, since it was out in the street. This is Italy. Lew had us fully equipped with phone data, so we have been able to stay occupied, but, really? I cannot even download a book from my library of books without the net. When selecting the AirB&B we would bless with our presence, the reliable internet was at the top of the list. If wishes were fishes. They promised us!, she said, stamping her American, very entitled feet.
But walking, thus far, has been a success. I do love the seafront, and apparently, so does every other citizen of the old town of Chiavari. How old? Well, some of the still-useful buildings have at least 200 years. according to the dates written on the sides. Older isn’t hard to find either, often rebuilt and beautiful, while some remain forlorn and empty unrenovated stone structures that make my Insides clench with the desire for unlimited money and time. I can see them, finished – after several hundred thousand dollars of effort and skill. Sigh.
Dog Thoughts – It seems that the dog-as-child frenzy is here as well as at home. I do get amused with the various ways in which we care for and support our furry companions. People have multiple dogs – usually, those are teeny ones. People have very big dogs – normally only one, maybe two. It is winter here, and chilly, although not brrrry-old. Many of the pups are in snow-suit-like-puffy-head-to-toe coverings, and out walking they match their bundled owners and are on leashes. Rarely ever have we seen any doggie litter on the streets, so there is obviously responsible care being given to society’s expectations of clean-ish sidewalks. We’ve not seen any aggressive dogs, and mostly they just rub noses and look excited to be out visiting with their four-footed friends while the owners kibitz in the street with the two-foots.
The questions that run through my mind however – not having a dog, nor desirous of one (that ship has sailed) is why anyone would subject a big dog with expansive muscle groups that need to be exercised, and which are built heavy for work activity – why would you want to make that animal live such an unnatural life? How does the large dog feel being toted daintily on a leash, stopping for a cappuccino, watching the world from aside a chair while never having the life his body was made for – running, herding, guarding, protecting animals or people. All dressed up in heavy fur made for winter’s wrath, and nothing to actually ‘do’ but passively watch the knees, legs, and feet going by. Maybe they think about the endless variety of shoes.
I am not trying to be accusative, neither argumentative nor anti-dog. I am seeing through the animals’ eyes (presumptive of me). Maybe they think they are in the lap of luxury not having to do pilates at some canine gym. Maybe I am way off track. It niggles at me though – like it would be a question one should ask.” But what about the dog?”
Love to all from old Chiavari – Dolci far niente!