family pics

These are my wonderful nieces, nephew and partner in Boston. Ken & Toby, my favorite cousins in San Diego/Temecula and of course, Chloe and mom..who does not know she is a dog. Chloe rules. 
 
 

Bob Hope monument-San Diego

Here is a wonderful memorial to Bob Hope doing his USO Christmas show...all kinds of ethnic groups and wounded soldiers are there smiling and applauding. And in the distance is the statue of the sailor kissing his girl goodbye before going off to war. This is in San Diego Bay area. 
 
 

USA trip-Boston

Here are some ways that Salem decorated for Halloween and the election. (YEH!) The colorful leaves are so unique to New England. And then a visit with some cousins (and my nephews) I hadn't seen my cousins in years. Great reunions. 

Halloween in Paciano

I am here with my coven, although I preferred to disguise myself as a devil. Almost everyone chose to be a witch from the tiniest to the oldest. I never saw such an array of witch hats. Even though it poured rain, that did not stop them from going to every house, saying in English "Trick or Treat" and if there was no treat, you may have found flour on your doorstop later. I think they caught on rather fast.. 
 

Urban Contamination Expo

 

 

Urban Contamination Series

An exposition of Urban Contamination is being held in Perugia this week and I have contributed the following series of photos that I have taken from my travels to many countries, showing various examples of urban contamination. I have tried to use my interpretation of this problem through my photos and strongly feel that it will take more than a mandate to correct this, that it will take pride of ownership by us to improve this grave problem; that each of us take full reponsibility to do our part.

 

Urban Contamination Series

 

Urban Contamination Series

An exposition of Urban Contamination is being held in Perugia this week and I have contributed the following series of photos that I have taken from my travels to many countries, showing various examples of urban contamination. I have tried to use my interpretation of this problem through my photos and strongly feel that it will take more than a mandate to correct this, that it will take pride of ownership by us to improve this grave problem; that each of us take full reponsibility to do our part.

 

Just another Festival

Here are some friends with me, at another festival. Christina's husband sang the only English song along with many other Italian performers. That took guts!!! James is a Scottish friend in front of me, rear, Rod, right is Chris...Kevin was on stage.

The Next Generation of Racers

Today the young kids got to race on their homemade go-carts. The ages ranged from 4-10. I think the parents were more excited than the kids. This will be the next generation of racers in a few years...truly precious to watch.

The Racers

The racers are all local boys and men, ranging from 16-50, gaining speeds up to 50 km/the streets are lined with huge bales of hay to protect the racers when they wipe out, which some did. No broken bones or injuries this year. Just some injured pride.

Paciano's Formula ONE Races

This is a major production with 18 sponsors paying for all the professional lighting, video screen coverage, announcers, etc. The top ones are the starting line and the next hill along the town walls, (notice the parking lot on the left of the starting gate..been being constructed for about 6 months now!) Bottom shows one of the video screens against the medieval tower, and the last is the finish line.

The Challenges

Top L: with a hat and a nail sticking out of the top, this young man had to jump up and burst balloons containing either water or flour. Here he just got the flour./ Top R: while holding a lit candle in one hand , she had to walk bouncing the tennis ball from one end of the park and back without letting the candle blow out or dropping the ball/ Bottom L: Sergio, a good friend, started at the other end, catching the ball, tossing it over a high board, then bouncing it to this end into the pan/ bottom R: the patient of Dr House, had to catch eggs from a swinging tray, then crack them and get them into the bottle. Whoever got the most in , won...(Who thinks these up???)

Quiz Show

Here are more photos of the costumes incl the circus group and Nicolo with his Harem dancing around him.

The Quiz Show/Scassa la Grandcasa

Every year Paciano has this quiz show that requires the teams to dress up in some theme of their choice. Here we have Dr House along with his patient who had many surgeries during the show, including a leg amputated, intestines removed( sausage links) and his IV was hanging from a bottle of Chianti.. The others are either smurfs or dwarfs..not quite sure, and then the complete cast of Pinocchio incl the whale. They were judged by a panel of expats ( I was a judge the past 3 years and they changed in case I had favorites) the contestants have to either answer a question or perform some insane challenge which you will see some pics. Points are given for completing tasks and answering Q correctly and the judges must choose the best group of costumes and performances. The groups often try to bribe the judges!

Festival in Paciano

On Sunday, Paciano had its annual festival called Mille e Un'Umbria and other than feeding hundreds of people, entertaining them with various music bands, etc, there were also many of the local artisans with stalls of their items. I set up an area with my photos and actually did rather well , selling some of them. Jill, my friend from Citta' della Pieve, came over and painted the faces of many kids. She was a big hit in the village, especially in her colorful outfit.

Island of Giglio, Italy

This island is off the west coast of Italy, in the Mediterranean. It is my favorite island in Italy, so unspoiled and protected. There are no high rises to destroy the views. Only 10% of the island is developed with 1700 permanent residents. Even in high season, it maxes out at about 3500, which still is not a problem.These photos are mostly taken on the Campese side, which is mostly sandy beach, rocks, and many apartments to rent. I have been here many times over the years, and just got back from 2 weeks. Truly paradise.

UK Trip

I went to England to visit friends. These are from the Midlands-the pond of ducks in Rugby in front of the B&B. A lovely field of rape seed-and birds taking off. There were miles of yellow-it looked as if someone took a paintbrush to the fields. There's by friend, Rob, from Rugby and me at the ruins of the Cathedral.

The New Americanized David

Unfortunately, our David has taken on some bad habits.

The Perugia Funking Marching Band

This band performed in the streets of Paciano. They were fantastic and definitely could handle New Orleans. They played while walking up and down my street.....

Florence , Italy /Quite the contrast

This woman was at least 80 years old, dressed to the nines, even with a cane, had to wear her high heels. And along comes the new generation.

My new friend

This gull stayed on the ferry boat coming back from the island. He was about 12" from me the whole time, posing so well for his photo to be taken.