Halloween

 We’re into our second week in Assisi, settled into our apartment which, coincidentally, was once part of a beautiful shop. It’s here that I first met my lovely friend Jo Comodi 13 years ago when she leased the space for her silk scarf shop. She came by yesterday morning for coffee and was rightfully shocked by the change. The apartment is part of what was once a large home owned by a childless but wealthy woman. It’s characteristic of Assisi and perfectly located. Of course it has its quirks. This is, after all, Italy. Beautiful but seriously booby-trapped. We’re often challenged physically but we’ve so much more cautious about tripping hazards than we were during previous visits. 

Our days have been spent catching up with old friends and enjoying our alter-lifestyle. We still discover new things every day. Our roots are deep and our understanding of the ways of everyday Italian life make the challenges of living in a different language a little less so. 

All the things we love about Italy are still here but we’re sad to notice that so many things have changed over time. Everything is expensive. Even the wine has gone up in price. Olive oil prices have escalated due to a bad growing season and a parasite which rendered countless trees barren. Clothing prices and restaurant prices are similar to those in the states. Incomes, on the other hand, have not escalated and it’s hard to imagine how families are keeping up. 

The positives still outnumber the negatives. The total lack of water pressure in the shower is replaced by the pure pressure of a welcome back hug by a friend. The hills and steep inclines in this ancient hill town are lessened by the stretches of olive-tree-lined pathways that lead to houses that have been held by the same family for centuries. The cacophony of groups of eager tourists looking for the glass tomb of the newest saint Carlo, is mitigated by the clear and certain clanging each hour of the day of church bells, here, there and everywhere.

And now, every thing is good, better, best because it’s time for aperitvo. Some things simply refuse to change. They just require more change nowadays.

Happy Halloween! (Same as in Italian)