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Week 19 - High summer in Italy sees people leave towns and cities to head for the beach

 Edited BY


G P Kennedy

Ellie - Milan, Italy

 It's officially the dead of summer in Milan! In Italy, mid-August is when all dwellers of towns and cities collectively move to the beach. It's the official, vacation time - well, except for the hotel owners, room service workers and waiters - that coincides with a major Catholic holiday, the Day of the Assumption and with a name derived from the festival instituted by Emperor Augustus, but historically became synonymous with vacation because of Mussolini's decree in the 1920s. I was thinking that this rigorous urge to spend August at the beach would subside this year; what with economic disaster and a forced vacation in March, April and partially May. However, it seems everyone has decided to overcompensate and go overboard with their vacation vibes. 

 

 So, this means city transport is mostly empty. Some people are coming back from mostly European countries, and the increasing rates of infection in other countries are making requirements super confusing. Is everyone supposed to present documentation for a test? 

 Quarantine for two weeks? Little information is available or findable officially so most people are relying on hearsay until they meet the harsh reality of airport security on arrival.

 

 We haven't been out of the country, so this dilemma is not for us. But with city life back to normal, we wonder what is the best situation, really. 

 Our town is back to its normal summer self, with people out and about all evening long. Most are wearing a mask, but locals are notorious for their inability to distance. 

 

 So, we are spending days on hiking trips in the area. Luckily, we are close to the Alps, so it's possible to enjoy the rocks and avoid overnight establishments all at the same time.

 

So, greetings from the peak above Varese!

 

 And to finish a hard day of hiking and social distancing, a dish of pepper gnocchi. Enjoy Ferragosto!

 

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