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Hearts of Hope
Most of the days here are the same. I teach online during the week, plan our groceries for 2x/week and sit in our indoor courtyard to bask in the sunshine that is only there 3 hours per day. I actually look forward to getting groceries as it gets me outside and I admit, it's getting harder and harder to be confined.
An old friend from elementary school suggested I create hearts to place around Bergamo. There were already beautiful rainbow posters made by the school children displayed around town.
Since I love doing mail art, I thought why not? I don't have a printer so I cut all my hearts from random wrapping paper and decorated them using ink pens, bits of paper, ink stamps and stencils. I made about 20 of them to begin with. I gathered them all up with some scotch ready to post them around Citta Alta.
Now, we had just gotten the notice that now we were required to wear masks whenever we went out. I was wearing them anyway as I thought if someone coughs I don't want to have any of that on me. We are only to go out for essential items and I thought well, this is deemed essential - spreading love around Citta Alta.
So I got all donned up and put on my bandanna scarf, placed my paper mask over my bandanna, took a shopping bag, and proceeded on my way. I ran out way before I should have. I need to go make more to blanket the shops along the bottom of Citta.
Big ❤️ to all!
Today was a beautiful sunny day in Bergamo and I wanted to take full advantage of what I could to maximize being outdoors.
After all, being in a lockdown means your only outing is to get essentials so you need to make it a good one. We decided to only go out Tuesdays and Fridays to minimize the amount of contact with others. They assume everyone has been exposed in some form or another in Bergamo so I am as careful as I can.
Yes, I cheat. Sorry, get angry at me, but we have been in a real lockdown for one month. No outdoor exercise of any kind. When I read about my friends and family that still get to go out and walk, I am mad. My other walk consists of an enclosed 25 sq meter piazza right outside my front door. I am grateful I have this private space to walk in. I would not be able to do this if it wasn't enclosed, so I thank my lucky stars I have this space.
That is my door. We get 2 hours Opposite my door to give you an idea
of sunshine every morning!! of how small it is.
So, I walk slower and take the long way home to my apartment. I savor every minute of the solitude of Citta Alta and admire and notice things I never saw before. The birds are still chirping - a sure sign of Spring.
After making the rounds, the husband told me our little baker was open again. I stopped by and waited outside for my turn. When I went inside I noticed they built a huge glass shield separating them and their customers. Any way one can make it work to keep serving customers is a win for me. I thank these shop keepers every day as I know they are risking themselves day in and day out. These shops are the lifeblood of the community and if they shut, we are all in trouble.
I asked her if she had any ice cream as that is one thing I am really craving these days. With all the gelato shops closed, I cannot get my fix. She said one moment and went to the back and came back with this!
Needless to say, she made my day. I thanked her profusely and went on my way, walking slow and taking in all the sunshine I could for the day.
