So much has happened since our last post. Our visitors have motivated us to get off our seats and see some things – some new, some revisits. We have been to the Cinque Terre (the five lands) on Italy's north-west coast, to Assisi and other Umbrian delights, and to Tivoli in Lazio – not to mention more and more of Roma itself.
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| Cinque Terre |
The point is, that during these excursions, far more so than in Australia, we are blessed to find ourselves privy to some very private – very special – very family – very emotional events. Brides and grooms are a navigation hazard here in Italy. They are everywhere and can be found at almost any time. Mostly they are just with their photographers, but sometimes we stumble upon the wedding in full flight, with lots of guests, mingling with lots of observers – like us. The guests might prefer to chat outside, maybe drink an aperitivo or two (aperitivi I guess), certainly smoke and catch up with those vital mobile phone calls.
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| Wash day |
But we did strike one huge wedding in the Cinque Terre where the photographer did ask for all the “invited” guests to form up on the church steps for the photograph – my bride just escaped being recorded in the family album as she emerged from the church door having gone to look at the (somewhat elaborate) flowers. Incidentally, the Cinque Terre are no cake walk around the coast (except for the one short section known as Via del Amore (the way of love) - to get from one town to the next requires the skills and resilience of a goat.
And so to Assisi – home (or resting place) of St Francis of ….. same name! And of course of his contemporary, St Chiara (or Clare) of the Poor Clares. This time, while visiting the church in which both Francis and Clare we baptised (13th century) we joined in with another baptism – in the exact same font that held Francis and Clare.
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| St Mary |
Speaking of saints – we took the opportunity to witness the canonisation of Australia's own – Saint Mary of the Cross, McKillop. A much grander affair than the wedding or baptism, but still an insight into the public ceremonies that make private life click here in Italy.
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| Il Papa drives past |
This time, because I had so many photos that I wanted to show you – I keep the text short and try to juggle the blog-site and its peculiar ways of handling pictures.
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| The Protagonist steps forward |
The shots – apologies if too many – are (remember you can usually click on them to enlarge):
A demonstration or manifestioni – revolting students and their teachers take to the streets.
Views of Cinque Terre (above) including the blatant display of one's (previously) dirty washing, and three dishes that caught our eye and taste buds as the sun set behind us. Also a public fund-raiser for the missions replete with singing monk and conga-dancing cooks.
Various assorted brides including the steps-of-church photo opportunity (note the Douglas bride disappearing to the right).
The baptism and famous font in Assisi.
The coming of St Mary (and of the Pope only a spit away over the throng of fellow photographers). Also a shot with a delightful nun in the foreground - I have met her in Rome a few times. She was the official 'proponent' of Mary McKillop and so, had a key role in the ceremony. She was one of the few nuns in modern dress.
And I have updated the signature photo of the “report” to acknowledge Italy-China Week which was celebrated by painting the Colosseum red (and I guess writing made in China on it – can't tell for sure).
A domani (or maybe next 'month')
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| Student demonstration |
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