I'm back at the restaurant in Ripabotonni at about 12:30. It is the only place in town where I have seen people outside. The clouds overhead indicate the possibility of rain so no one is outside. As I was climbing up and down the streets of town I heard all kinds of activity but everyone was inside. I could hear silverware clinking again plates and lively conversation.
The restaurant is not packed at all but there are more people here than the rest of town. Two of the boys from last night are here playing cards in the most aggressive way slapping the cards down and arguing some and the same dog is here waiting patiently for scraps under the table. A couple across from me drop him some food every now and again.
I think by the way many of the men are dressed they are construction workers. A few years back Ripabottoni was hit by an earthquake. They are still repairing. Some of the houses have clearly been abandoned for quite awhile. Others are marked by a sign which reads vendersi I believe that means they are for sale Many people have chosen to stay.
There is so much singing and whistling. I've heard it throughout Italy people mostly the men just break out into singing or whistling. Never a whole song just little bits and sometimes others will join in. The singing is even more common in this small village. It's as though the song comes into their head and they have to let it out, then it's over and they can go on. I love that spontaneity.
I would love being there, with the spontaneous singing; I do that all the time anyhow. Do you think everyone would think I'm a man? I can't whistle though, so no chance of that happening.
ReplyDeleteJeanne you would fir right in here and not just because of the singing. In fact there was a young woman on the train from Sorrento who could pass for a sister of yours. Most of the ride she was looking happy and having a good time. Suddenly she an annoyed look on her face at one point and she was looking off in a way I remember you doing once long ago when you were irritated possibly with Brett. Her legs were crossed her back was turned slightly to the young man. She was biting the side of her fingernail every few minutes then again staring off as though either trying not to say anything or maybe plotting what she would say. I could see her boyfriend was going to pay for whatever he did.
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