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