Now that Stefano is home for the weekend I can clarify a few things with him as he speaks English. In fact, anyone with college age children pay attention to this next section.
Stefano received his undergraduate degree last year in Bio medical engineering. He is now working on his specialization or what we might call a masters degree. His focus is on prosthetics. My head spins just thinking about it. But get this - he is taking 5 classes and all of them are in English. Yes, not in Italian. That just blows my mind. English is not his native language yet he is taking masters courses all in English. I am just amazed at that. He is smart AND good looking! He is such a fine young man. I am positive the girls in the U.S. would be lining up to date him.
He has helped me confirm and clarify that yes a new cable has to be run to the house. Not because it doesn’t exist but because of the way it was installed years ago. He tells me that once it is installed all the additional equipment will also be installed as well so possibly by mid week I will have internet and wi-fi service. But, one thing I have learned from my years of travel here - don’t count your chickens……….
I have also been struggling with the washing machine - lavatrice - I understood what Angela told me when she explained it BUT there were a few instructions she did not tell me so the first few loads of wash didn’t come out as expected. After a few clarifying comments from Stefano and a more thorough review of the controls on the machine I think I have it figured out!! And for those that read the last blog the first photo was of my new clothes line. I have a small rack for drying most clothes but for larger items - think sheets, blue jeans, etc. this is my dryer. Electricity is expensive due to lack of infrastructure so dryers are not common - at least here in the south. With the abundant sunshine and mild temperatures in the winter you dry your clothes outside. I also view it as being ecological and doing my part to keep the planet green. Also laundry must be done in the morning so you have all day for it to dry. No late nights with laundry in this house!!
Saturday morning I planned to go to a market in Velino Scalo. I tried to go to the market near Angela’s house on Friday. I took Oscar with me but the amount of people and commotion was a bit much for him so we gave up on that and I decided to go on Saturday. Each city has a market day - Ascea is Thursday, Marina di Casal Velino is Friday, Velino Scalo is Saturday - etc. So if I miss one village I can always try another day in another location. Fruits and vegetables are on the shopping list today. Amazing how many vegetables, locally grown, are already available for sale. Amazing enough - NOT - there was no market - at least where it was supposed to be. So I kept driving and came to a Centro Commerciale. This is a small shopping center. I have seen it for years but never went inside. Saturday was the day.
There is a large grocery story - much bigger than the one I am used to. This was much more like an American store - frozen foods, some packaged food, etc. In addition the center had a few clothing stores, a shoe store, jewelry store and an electronics store. I spent quite a bit of time in the electronics store checking out everything I could buy. From TV’s to dishwashers, refrigerators, to smaller appliances such as coffee machines and other kitchen appliances. What I don’t know yet is how their prices would compare to Amazon.IT or other places I might not be aware of. But anything I might want or need it appears I can buy it there. Even a little stereo system if I want one. I would compare it to a Best Buy maybe but not sure Best Buy has personal products such as hair dryers, etc. Once the container arrives and I have unpacked I sense a large shopping trip in my future!!
Also Angela told me two exciting bits of news - 1. There is a Vet in the village. She makes house calls!! How cool is that. Apparently she has seen me out walking but I have not met her yet. So happy about that as with Oscar’s allergies and his aging it is very comforting to know a Vet is close by. 2. There is a lady who lives near Angela, originally from Germany but has lived in Italy for many years. She is a golfer!!!!! Also a very active person physically! There may be a golf course closer than I expected BUT again, clarity is needed. Looking forward to meeting some new people outside the family who might have similar interests.
I was going to send this on Sunday but the Farmacia is closed and I can not get access to the wi-fi bench! The gate is closed. So I am adding a bit more to this already lengthy post. Sunday is family day and a day to relax as most stores and businesses are not open. I took Oscar down to the sea today (il mare). We had a great walk along the shore and due to high winds many wind surfers were out. I tired to post a short video so you can see and hear il mare and the wind surfers. No success - large videos will have to wait until I have my own network and wi fi set up. Oscar was also feeling a bit more comfortable with the sand so we ventured closer to the water. Again videos don't work yet but I have included a picture of his first encounter with il Mare!
Next week - fingers crossed for Internet/wi-fi service, possible news on my container and purchases of some electronics. One week of silence is about all I can take.
Baci e abbracci!
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