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Week 20 rounds off as we check in with Ellie in Milan

 Edited By


G P Kennedy 

Ellie - Milan, Italy

 Italy is usually dead in August - metaphorically, of course - and it lives at the beach. Tourists come to replace the foot traffic in the streets and the constant flow of visitors to iconic places. Not this year, though. 

 Milan is not the best indicator since it hasn't been considered a traditional tourist destination (which is unfair, in my opinion), but it is what it is: streets are mostly empty. The cycle of the seasons seem to continue rolling at the same speed and logic as before.

 Myself, I am enjoying the summer wit a new understanding of the meaning of nature. I am especially sad that the hard earned lessons we learned during the height of the pandemic have somehow not stayed with us. No, not that everyone should look somber and eschew a far away vacation but somehow the consolation of the crisis for me was that it would lead to a change in our thinking. 

 I don't think it has happened. But, if I can count it as my personal reward, the gifted cactus I received a couple of weeks ago started blooming on me!

 In other news we heard that sparse public transport density will change dramatically in the fall as the regional governor has decided to change direction and repeal the distancing rules instituted at the beginning of the pandemic, wishing away the necessity to not breath in each others' necks while we ride the subway. 

 I am sure this has to do with the economic efficiency of public transport. But hoping for efficiency will not prevent a looming second wave of contagion. I am convinced this was a significant factor in the spread of the disease in the spring: density of public transportation. So, things are not promising.

 And the makeshift protective equipment we had at the beginning of the crisis has not improved significantly. I see expensive designer masks being sold, of course, but they seem to be just a fashion statement. 



 To top everything off, I had to visit a hospital this week, which is an adventure in itself, regardless of the reason of the trip. Perhaps it could be chalked up to residual side effect of coronavirus contagion, but I am adding swollen limbs to the list of possible symptoms or long term after effects of a coronavirus infection. No PCR test for the moment, though. 

 The wait in the ER (above) was pretty short, considering the season.

 And if you are wondering, dear reader, what I created a few weeks ago and if it was worth the big cleanup of the studio floor afterwards, here it is: a cyanotype on fabric that I should perhaps hang on the door, to ward off bad thoughts.

 Stay cool and stay safe.



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