Snapshots of Everyday Life in Italy

Whenever I see laundry hanging in Italy, I can’t help but smile, as this is so quintessentially Italian. The above photo  can be anywhere in Italy, but it happens to be in Portofino.

These local Italians in the Ligurian village of Dolceacqua understand the meaning of “il dolce far niente,” or the sweetness of doing nothing. A way of life in Italy, this concept is an integral part of the Italian culture. The idea of doing nothing except enjoying the present moment is sometimes hard for an American to grasp, given our aggressive work ethic.

One of my favorite  aspects of the Italian lifestyle is the late afternoon and early evening ritual known as la passeggiata, or the evening stroll. Each evening, between the hours of 5pm and 8pm, Italians take to the streets, to walk and socialize. The name originates from the verb passeggiare, which means to walk. Sociologists label la passeggiata a cultural performance, and on Saturdays and Sundays entire families participate, this frequently being the main social event of the day. Afterwards, everyone heads home together for the evening meal.This older Sicilian couple captured my heart as I walked behind them in Trapani one evening. They seem to understand what so many of us forget, that spending time together is one of the most important things in life.

It still amazes me that the local Italians navigate the steep hills and staircases on a daily basis and think nothing of it. As part of the Italian lifestyle, they are used to it. No wonder so many of them live to be in their eighties and nineties and still get around better than their younger counterparts in the U.S.

These vehicles known as “apes” are perfect for getting around in villages with steep narrow streets, where a normal size car could never maneuver. Made by the company Piaggio, who manufactures the famous Vespa scooter as well as other vehicles, these apes are also great for parking in tight spaces. The original model dates back to 1947 and was basically a Vespa with two wheels added to the rear.

In almost every village, town and city in Italy you will find at least one fresh outdoor market, and this is where the locals go to buy their produce. They can count on the items being fresh and locally sourced, and they are supporting their own community. This market is Rome’s famous Campo de Fiori.

I would love to hear what you think, so please leave a comment. Grazie and Ciao  

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In case you haven’t checked out my Italy travel books, they are available on Amazon and Audible. Enjoy!