friday 27th november

Friday 27th November
We decided to get up and going early today. The plan of the moment is to hire a car to do some of the tours locally, then start going to the locations around Italy that Brad and Trish have also not visited. We’ll head off by ourselves to see a few things that they’ve already seen, and then time our return visit to Rome to see the Vatican with the arrival of Trish’s Cousin Judy at the Termini Stazione (Central Train Station) and bring her back to Introdacqua for our Christmas festivities.
So we were up and on the first Bus out of town to Sulmona to do our research, find the local Market and get some fruit and veggies, visit the Supermarketto and then home for siesta time.
Russell found the bargain of our trip…a full length Italian leather coat, preloved but in excellent condition hanging for sale at a clothing stall, fits perfectly and only $30 Euros. He looks so Italian and blends in with the townsfolk now.
I found a lovely fur trimmed winter coat, and its an unusual cabernet colour and I just adore it. Of course my touristy back pack looks a bit daggy with it so I got a nice black backpack as well to carry my bit s and pieces. Not leather but nice anyway!
We went to the mobile phone shop to troubleshoot some issues with the internet, hit the supermarketto again and then caught the bus home. It was just as school let out and our bus was full of kids going home for the day. It was hilarious…they heard us talking English and at one stage they were all singing from the back of the bus “the twelve days of Christmas”, probably one of the only English songs they knew and they all joined in for “…and a partridge in a pear tree” A fun trip back up the mountain.
We’ve got our little home very cozy, a few adjustments to mattresses and furniture, which doors to close and which to leave open and we’re set.
Bought some meat from the local butcher here in Introdacqua today and he charged like a wounded bull so will be buying from Sulmona from now on. We’d been told to make sure they knew we were friends of Tim’s and they would treat us as the locals. Didn’t get a chance to chat to this guy he was so busy. Oh well…it is beautiful meat.
We taught Brad and Trish how to play charades and that’s our evening entertainment, and hilarious. Tonight might be the time to crank up the difficulty…ha ha.
We’re having dinners at the first ristorante we went to when we arrived. Decided we have to enjoy the local food as the locals make it but will eat at home in between times to save some money.
No pictures today but Russell and I will head back to Sulmona with our cameras one day soon to take some snaps of the shop windows for me, they are so beautiful.
That’s all take care
Linda X


From the desk of Rusolio….

Got to be happy when you can get a bottle of scotch for 4 euro or about $6.50 and the most fantastic coffee for 90 cents !!! today 3 coffee,s with torte ( cake for you uncouth ) mongrels ). For less than $10.00 australian. Brad and I went to the local for a beer and over here you get a beer and bowls of food nuts, pizza, and all sorts of stuff, god I could live here for a long time.
And yes I did get a new coat today, so I look the part in fantastic Italian leather, even got the scarf to go with it. It is cold here and all expect snow for December as this is the norm, in fact the locals say it is late. You can see it on the mountain tops all around us so should be making snowmen soon.

Even thought of work today, slapped myself, and had another drink. Do hope all is well though, and some of you bastards reading this could send a message back. Its now 8.30 at night and dinner time in Italy, so am off to a fantastic dinner for food and vinno rosa.
Rusolio