You’ve probably already heard about the infamous August shut-down, where everybody the length and breadth of the peninsula vacates to go on vacation. Bryan
mentioned this phenomenon about a week ago (as well as
last year). While Ascoli remains open during the first half the month, (why go away when there are the festivities of La Quintana and the Feast of Sant’Emidio to keep everyone busy and merry, and act as a precursor to the holiday time) when Ferragosto rolled around on August 15, it was like someone flipped a switch activating the Star Trek beam mechanism, transporting everyone away from the city. Everyone, that is, except for *our* very noisy neighbors. We couldn't have that kind of luck. Sigh. All our normal coffee bars, our neighborhood food shops, including the family-run grocery store, hung out the dreaded signs informing us “we’re in ferie so too bad for you”. You may have noticed that several Italy-based bloggers have locked the doors and left, too.
Fine. We’ve learned this is just one of the things about Italian life that one must adapt to. While it may be inconvenient, it also signals to us that traditions are stronger and more important here, something we like.
But I laughed out loud when I came across this “on holiday” sign. Even the priest gets to split town and take a break!
("The 11:00 Holy Mass in this church has been suspended from the middle of July until the end of August.")
Hope you’re enjoying the last few precious days of summer.
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3 comments:
Yeah, I wouldn't be too sad if we adopted that here in the US. ha like that would ever happen. I can imagine it would be a pain at times but definitely a big perk if you are the one on vacation =) Glad you are still around though!
Sounds like you are still having neighbor problems!!!!
Of course, as luck would have it, they are the only ones who stayed! Right? {shake my head} what is it with these life quirks?...
Texas, it can be challenging to find open food stores and bars (I dislike the ipermarkets) but I also like the traditional aspect of it so it's a trade-off.
Farfallina, Yeah. Those pesky neighbors aren't anywhere, not even on vacation (sigh). Murphy's Law kind of luck, dont' you think?
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