Stories From Accidental Tourist

Stories from Accidental Tourist

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN, Day 22 (in dog years)

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN, Day 22 (in dog years)

As a child I met an old fisherman in Positano whose favorite recommendation to passersby was: “ If you drop a small precious object in a big sink, don’t go fumbling after the small precious object. Head straight for the drain and plug it”. People who have taken a class at Accidental Tourist know I have a mental condition that makes me see metaphors and analogies and signs EVERYWHERE.So, I have always been charmed by the old man’s piece of advice, even beyond my actual understanding of it.In the present predicament, I read the big sink as my beautiful life…

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN, Day 11ish

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN, Day 11ish

But first I had coffee, turned on the computer for a quick check of emails, then replied to WhatsApp messages… And when I went outside the snow was gone.Figure this: I can’t leave the house by law, I haven’t seen snow in a couple of years, the gods deliver some to my door, I have nothing to do, yet I manage to be late to take the delivery… How could I not have time for something so cool and free and simple? And then it dawns on me: because time cannot be had.It can hardly be found.Most often it has…

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – DAY 7

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – DAY 7

Day 7 was my first down day. I spent most of it tackling the refund requests for cancelled bookings; consulting with accountant, lawyer, union representative, bank director; reading statistics and graphics about the pandemic.14 hours in the same room, at the same table, on the same chair, with the same concerns and worries: my family livelihood relies 100% on guests from other countries, 70% of which from North America.The financial picture is gloomy, no doubt. Then the day eventually ends as all down days have the decency to do.I have one of those a year. So that’s out of the…

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – DAY 6

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – DAY 6

Just yesterday I was listening to a song by a very young Riccardo Cocciante called: “the smell of fresh bread”. Original title: “l’odore del pane”.( Note there is no need for FRESCO in the title, as Italian bread is ONLY fresh). Here it is (The melody shows its age, but the lyrics are still good) “If I hadn’t stopped to tie my shoe in the street,I would have never smelled fresh bread.And if I hadn’t smelled that fresh breadI wouldn’t have realize I was broke;And if I hadn’t considered stealing that breadI wouldn’t have imagined I would go to jail.And…

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – DAY 5

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – DAY 5

Right. But how privileged? – VIEWS. We sit on top of a villa that sits on top of a village that sits on top of a hill that overlooks Florence and the Arno Valley: we see 360 degrees. When one can’t go anywhere, seeing everywhere is a huge compensation.That must be why people with reduced mobility often become very studious and educated. – SPACE: our home is a large loft. Privacy is low on the list of features. But we have our magical tower apartment, our garden mini-house apartment, our daughter’s garden studio, and the Accidental Tourist home, usually occupied…

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – Day 4

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – Day 4

The USA has blocked all traveling to and from Italy.What an eye opener!“In a time where certain discriminating policies are spreading worldwide with nostalgic references to our despicable recent history..Here comes a virus to remind us– in a short flash – that we can become the discriminated, the segregated, those rejected at the borders, those carrying a disease. Even if it’s not our fault; even if we are white, western, and travel in business class.” The weather is glorious, again! We opt for a very Spartan flash-mob type family picnic.Our garden can’t wait for spring, and it shows. Emma the…

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN  Day 3

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN Day 3

DAY 3 Our Prime Minister has announced new restrictive measures for EVERYONE’S SAKE. That means DON’T LEAVE HOME. Not even for a stroll, with the assumption that most people live in the crowded cities, and if everyone left home just for a quick stroll, streets would be crowded and contamination would continue. Teenagers are the toughest crowd to leash. They want to be together. I read “In a time where relationships, communication and sociality are played mainly in the virtual “non-space” of social networks, creating an illusion of nearness, this COVID19 takes away physical proximity: don’t nobody touch each other!…

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN: Day 2

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN: Day 2

written March 15th 2020 9AM ish: I wonder how many automatic actions we perform at certain times and not others, because we just have to, or simply because we have learned it is more appropriate. I break from that, now that I can, and follow my natural inclination: like waking up with the sound of the third round of the church bells, and not the first. Like having one of my 2 glasses of red wine a day at 10AM ish. (I can see this one becoming a habit – driving permitting). That doesn’t mean more; just different moments of…

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – Day 1

NOTES FROM A PRIVILEGED LOCKDOWN – Day 1

written March 14th 2010 DAY 1 8:00am: Wake up call from the hospital, a cheerful female voice is asking me if the visit scheduled for today is urgent, or if it’s just a check up. As it is the latter, she suggests we reschedule, and offers new dates, with a choice of time. This is all through our National Health Care System. Once again, I am immensely grateful for it.In times like these, knowing that whatever happens, my family will be treated for free is a colossal relief. Marco and Giotto start with some gardening and end up collecting a…

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