08.23.05
Chiuso Per Ferie
Everything is closed! August, and especially the second half of August, is vacation month for Italians. Nearly all shops and business are closed for at least part of the month. Quite a few are closed for the entire month. Perugia is a ghost town! Even the bus system has a lighter schedule. Signs are posted in store windows that say “Chiuso per Ferie” - closed for holiday - are everywhere.
At first, I thought it was kind of inconvenient. The place where Heidi and I go for our morning coffee during our break between classes was closed for three weeks. We’ve spent a lot of time waiting for busses when we forgot about the lighter bus schedule. But the slower pace of life has it’s perks. Normally (but not this year) August is hot all over Italy, and the slower schedule means a lot less sweating! People take time to chat with neighbors along their way.
I suppose the “American” in me will appreciate the convenience of things being open again. But the growing “Italian” in me has appreciated the change of pace.