We will soon settle down to a more regular routine, but for now the adventure just continues.
I had contacted a friend of a friend, Rosita D’Amaro, who has her permanent residence in Amsterdam, but teaches Turkish literature for part of the year at the university here in Lecce. We were going to meet up over the weekend, but she became ill and we needed to postpone it. She called us yesterday to say that she needed to run an errand to buy a wedding present for relative and asked if we would like to accompany her to visit the studio of relatively famous Italian stone artist, Renzo Buttazzo (www.renzobuttazzo.it). For those of you who know Holly and I, you know we jumped at the chance. Again, we hopped in a car with someone we barely knew and braved the Italian highways (they really don’t seem to understand the idea of lanes). What a treat! Renzo was was such a genuine person with so much passion and love for what he does, we could not help but get caught up in the the day, the art and the person. I just hope the pictures capture even part of the magic.
The tools
The workshop
I think Holly found her place in the sun
One final note for today, as many of you know Holly is planning on continuing to teach via the internet while we are here. We thought ourselves very smart by buying a roll up keyboard and taking it with us. After having played with it for a little bit, she decided it just would not do. So today we purchased an electronic keyboard,. Not her Steinway, but we are hoping it will suffice. We have it set up on our ironing board and here is her new piano studio:
You and Holly are my heroes! If you get the chance to visit Abruzzo, please visit the town of Cansano in the province of L’Aquila. They have a great little Bed & Breakfast there and the Mayor is a relative. They feed you like it’s your last meal. I’m so happy for you both.
Fran, I am so glad you are enjoying the blog and am sure we will find a way to fit Cansano into our plans.
Question — how much of the Italian language do you guys know? Did you study beforehand or just picking it up as you go. Do most people speak English where you’re at?
Hi Nix, Holly has been working on learning Italian a year and a half to two years. I have been playing at it for the last year. She is getting pretty good, I on the other hand am about at a three year old level (if that). A few of the Italians here speak English and love to have some one to practice it with. However, most of the people we meet speak only Italian. So the everyday chores, shopping and going to restaurants, need to be carried out in Italian. The people mentioned in the blog, with the exception of Renzo who spoke only a little, all speak English very well. Lili and Robert are from Canada and the UK respectively.
Seeing Holly on the bench makes me happy.
I’m glad you have made new friends in Lecce.
Looks like the dream is coming true.
I think of you often and send my love.