Looking forward to Spring

After my last blog entry, we have had continuous snow throughout the week with a few days of reprieve.  Exactly to the day, one week later, another 10 cm of snow fell.   It is interesting to note that the Lancanese use umbrellas to shield themselves against the snow, or better yet, use it as a walking stick to avoid slipping.  

The next morning after heading down to the Mercato for a cappucino and cornetta, George, Toby and I went for a long walk in the surrounding area.

This week the temperatures started to rise and the snow starting to melt.  So when walking, you had to look down to try to avoid any icy patches or dog poop (no poop and scoop here), or look up for falling snow coming from the roofs, sometimes with individual roof tiles attached. 

Due to the heavy volume of snow we were unable to get out of town.  Many of the roads leading out of town were closed.  

However by Friday, February 17th due to the warmer weather and the efforts of the personnel to clear the highways we were able to take a day trip with the school to Rome. 

Rome itself had been paralyzed by snow forcing us to delay our trip by one week.  We left Lanciano early in the morning with snow still on the ground and drove through the mountains and ended up in Rome.  We were pleased to see on the far side of the mountains in Rome that the warmer temperatures had melted all of the snow.

 Our trip consisted of visiting the Catacombs.  These are ancient Christian burial sites which are underground.  The one we visited has three separate underground levels and consists of over 9 km of tunnels.  Since the ancient Romans did not allow burial within the city walls, the Christians and later the Romans themselves buried their dead.  Imagine a tunnel with the sides carved out in niches large enough to accept a linen wrapped body and then imagine a covering of the opening and you can imagine what it is like in the Catacombs.  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any pictures inside the Catacombs.  

Following that we went to the Borghese Gallery  located in the Villa Borghese.  There we saw spectular works of art, paintings and sculpture.  

The students normally have free time to shop and to have dinner.  George and I had dinner at the Campo di Fiori, sitting outside under a propane heater which was delightful.

Today, Saturday George and I took eight students skiing at Rocaroso.  What a beautiful day, bright blue sky, warmer temperatures, great skiing conditions.  

Early to bed tonight, as this has been the first time George and I have been on skis this season and our aging bones are creeping up on us.

Tomorrow we are excited to have Shelagh arriving to visit with us during Reading Week.

Back in Italy

February 3, 2012

It has been quite a while since my last post.  Now that we are back in Italy I thought I would start up again.  George, Toby and I left Canada on January 21st and arrived back to Lanciano, Italy on January 22nd after a long 24 hours of travelling.  As you may recall when we came back last year Toby did not get on the flight.  This year when we went to the airport to check in, the staff at the counter remembered us from last year.  In some ways they even went out of their way to welcome us.  When it was time for Toby to go and check in to his holding area, a representative took him and ensured us that he would be fine and that they would keep him inside from the cold until it was time to load him.  As we were boarding, the same man was waiting for us to tell us that Toby was on the plane, tucked in and settled. 

We arrived back to temperatures of 17 degress and sun. 

I received a new camera for Christmas and just finished taking an online camera course, so hence I will be loading up lots of photographs on my blog.  

Last Friday, the Italian teacher, Vittoria, who lives here turned 30.  She had arranged on Friday night a reception for us and the staff from the school and some of her close friends at a local bar called The Library to celebrate her birthday.  We were treated to prosecco and lots of good food.  We all had a lot of fun that night.  

Out weather has significantly changed since we arrived.  We have had a lot of rain and gloomy days.  Yesterday it started snowing and it is to continue throughout the weekend.  You do not see large snow plows or salt trucks around, so there is a lot of slipping and sliding.  

A view from our apartment this snowy day

The salters are out in full force

Lanciano's snow plow

Today marks the Festival of Saint of Saint Biagio.  During the Fourth Century, he was a physician before becoming a bishop.  It is reputed that he miraculously cured a little boy who nearly died because of fishbone in his throat.  As a result every February 3rd you can get a blessing by the priest by having your throat touched with two candles joined together in the form of a cross.  Today people head to San Biagio Church, that is up the street from us, an old Chuch that is only open for this festival.  As part of this celebration sugar donuts shaped like bagels with anise is sold. I think the significance of this tradition is that anise is soothing for the throat.  In any rate they are pretty tasty.

Sugar donuts in celebration of Saint Biagio

Residents walking to Saint Biagio Church to have their throats blessed