The Smiling Hippies.

What a nice quiet day...we decided to just hang out in Alviano today and the question here is, “How quietly can you spell quiet,” this place is like a library. Not surprising with mostly farmers and old people. In the mornings and around 5ish there is a great huge crowd (maybe 20 -25 people) that hang out at the only bar in town...they mostly just sit outside and shoot the bull as far as I can tell. Nice country people who are still keeping an eye on the 2 American Hippies that have infiltrated. Some of these people watch us like we are from outer space. But even with their curiosity and questions about who we are, and what we are doing here they are still pleasant and most will offer us a good morning or afternoon. The little old ladies seem to be the nicest. We just wave and Buon Giorno everyone in sight...we can at least be the nice “American Hippies”.

       Today on the square we were joined by the only other american in town. Patrick, who is from LA, has been here to long. He is isolated, has basically no job or friends and from what I can tell he spends all his time deep inside himself trying to resolve the universe. Interesting guy but we like to keep it a little lighter. He pretty much rambles on about his insights into social, political and philosophical questions. He really wants us as friends but we are holding him firmly at arms length...we pity him because he can’t seem to get out of his self created paradigm. Our first reaction is normally to see if we can help someone like this, but he appears more interested in cornering you into a one sided conversation. His presence and demeanor cast a very negative vibe. This is the second or third time I’ve run into him and it is been the same each time. I’d rather be surrounded by these nice little old ladies in their house dresses.

       We have a very cute lady who lives across the alley from us. Anne must be 75 or 80 and just as spry as can be. Every morning she gets up and sweeps in front of our places, picks up any debris and waters the plants. She knows we speak very little Italian but that doesn’t stop her from having a full on conversation with us. She does all the talking and we do all the smiling, nodding and laughing (if it seems appropriate). Wonder what she’s talking about?

       Last night we sat on the square and watched 4 or 5 kids aged 9 or 10 playing and having fun. It was obvious a make believe game that involved swords and lazers...funny these kids could have lived next door to us in the States. Children are children the world over

       Some days just relaxing is called for. I hope your day was as good as mine.

Nancy has developed a great smile for the camera.