HOW FAR CAN YOU GET?

Thick skin. Does that come with having decided to be a parent? I mean, doing things you couldn't possibly imagine you are capable of for your kids. If you still can't do this, I guess parenting didn't "hit" you yet.

Things like, your kid badly needs to pee and its impossible for him to hold it till you get to the comfort room. You tell your child to do wee-wee next to the tree and you don't care if passersby are despisingly looking at you.

When you're in a Supermarket, there's no comfort room and your son needs to go. Then you asked the sales girl or the lady in the cashier if they could help and good thing they're kind to give you the key to their private lavatory.

When you're in a quiet bank waiting for your turn to be served and your two boys are throwing tantrums because they're sleepy or hungry.

In a restaurant when your toddler walks here and there stopping at stranger's table for a 1 year old "mumbling" chat.

When you breast feed your baby in public.

When you're in a long line and you ask everyone to let you go first before your child will go into an undesirable mood.

Etc.. etc...

GUARDA!(look)




Last Sunday we went to watch the AIR SHOW at Jesolo and the place was packed except for a part which is obviously for the VIPs. There were 2 entrances to this enclosed spot where benches were also put up. It was heavily guarded so as the boarders between the "commoners" - sitting, lying down and standing on the sand and the VIPs comfortably waiting for the show.

I want my kids to see the spectacular clearly so I went to ask the guard how we can get in. If we need to pay or what? He said only those with invitations and I asked him where I can get that. Duh... I knew invites were sent days before the event or even months but still I asked. S----d isn't it? No, the guard is not dumb to let us in hehehe...

I still didn't give up. I carried Dylan and left his carriage somewhere, took Lukie's hand and we walked into the the crowd to be able to get in-front. Saying 'scusa'(excuse me) and 'permesso'(may we pass) helped and I just brushed off the shame of stepping on towels or walking pass through sunbathers while they irritatingly looking at us. Alas! We got a nice and clear view on the "front line".

Then I called my husband who is somewhere taking pictures of the air crafts leaving me with our boys. I told him where we're seated. More on just to let him know, I'm proud to grab a nice spot for the three of us on my own hehehe...

Well, it turns out Lukie and Dylan were more interested on playing with the sand than looking at those flying machines. I keep on telling them, "LOOK-LOOK!"... Dylan quickly looks and back to his 'sabia'(sand) while Lukie answered my "LOOK-LOOK" with "I KNOW!" and not looking at all.

AIR SHOW

Our second entry for Photo(s) of the week: Taken last August 24 at the Jesolo Air Extreme. We were not able to take the finale because Dylan was kicking sand to the young ladies sun bathing and watching next to us.

WEEKLY QUESTION 13

Dreaming for Others is Teacher Julie's 13th post for her Weekly Questions.

If you were to decide what advocacy would you like to campaign for as an advocate or being involved in a foundation, what sector of the society would you like to serve?

If only my means, as of the moment, could support all the cause this author is in to, all the help I can give - I'll give it to him. Patients he is writing for makes me guilty all the time for the things I have and still want to have. Every time I read his articles at SunStar Baguio, tears blur my vision while I'm trying to digest his "words" I just saw from my monitor. Here is one of those page.

Humanitarian Golds by: Ramon Dacawi

JUST hours before China unfolded its pageantry and fireworks display in Beijing, Edgar Dacanay, a 36-year-old barber, was fidgety. Edlyn Joy, his two-year-old daughter, was an unsure starter for her next crucial bout. The kid is in a personal combat event of sorts she's too young to comprehend and wage and her family simply can't afford.

Edgar couldn't watch seeded Filipino boxer Harry Tanamor's debacle Tuesday night in the hands of Ghanaian light-flyweight Manyo Plange. He had to be at the corner of her kid. He learned of Tanamor's fate only the following morning, when he and his wife Merlinda were on their way to bring home Edlyn Joy. The kid had just pulled through her fourth bout and will rest for her next fight.

Each victory of the kid - and kids all over - is worth more than an Olympic medal. Her battle is protracted - against a dreaded Goliath who has no regard for disparities in age, weight and height, and too wily, deceptive and painfully brutal. Edgar and Melinda can only be relieved, thankful people came to cheer for their daughter and hope they will be around before the next round.

Edlyn Joy is battling cancer. The big C is at her tailbone, diagnosed as sacrococcygeal tumor. Doctors said it's malignant.

That's why hours before the opening of the World Olympics, people who heard came to see her being admitted for her next chemotherapy session at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

Juliet, a public school teacher, handed Edgar P5,000. She said it came from her brother Irwin Ilustre. Earlier, a woman delivered P4,000 at the barbershop, saying it was from an anonymous donor. A mother and son added P1,000.

As Edlyn Joy was being wheeled into the chemo room, a man caught up with them. He handed Edgar a wad, and reminding him of the power of prayer. When he has settled the kid on her bed for her six-day chemo confinement, Edgar remembered and counted the man's support. He then called him up, saying it was too generous - P16,000

The man said he understands how difficult the ordeal was for Edgar and his family. He said he knew because he, too, survived cancer survivor. That's why he came, he said.

That's also why when Edlyn Joy's illness was diagnosed, her uncle Antonio, a farmer in Tubao, La Union sold his cow and had the small family land he was tilling tied to a loan. With no land to farm, he came up to watch over the kid, so her father can cut hair at the United Barbershop behind the Tiongsan Bazaar.

So her mother can go back to work and repay her wage loan as a salesgirl at the Maharlika Building.

So Edgar and Merlinda could attend a court hearing last Thursday morning before bringing her home to their rented house in Loakan Proper Barangay.

The hearing was about what happened to John Emerson. Edlyn Joy's elder brother, three years ago.

That was when John, then eight, and a classmate of his were walking to their second grade class when a passenger jeepney bumped him. He died two days after the accident in late January 2005.

Edgar said John, his second son, was able to push the other kid, saving him.

That's why Edgar can't give up on Edlyn Joy, whose other brother, Edmher, now 13, is in first year high school.

That's why members of members of the Chrysanthemum Lions Club came to her hospital bedside, handing colostomy bags so Edgar won't worry about having to buy them for a while.

More articles by the same author:

Billy Dean's "If It Hadn't Been You"

Kidney patient eager for 2nd chance

BEACH ON FIRE 2008

We are on our last week of our "summer spree". School will start soon and back to our normal "routines". The Beach On Fire last Saturday reminded us that night outings, swimming and dinners at the terrace are almost over. I didn't take pictures of the longest fireworks display this year, the camera will be in danger(lol) with sand + tripod + Dylan/Lukie - Boogie hehehe.... Good thing someone uploaded it at YouTube, credits to daStefan89 for the video. The last part's the best!

I was glad my kids were pissing off each other and still wide awake at 10 PM last Saturday. I wasn't suppose to take them out and skip watching the fireworks this year because it was windy and roaring thunders are like bowling balls up there after each lightnings. The rain didn't pour so I let my two boys wear their jackets and we head off to the beach. We got there 30 minutes early and lucky to have found two empty sunbeds.

As we were lying down the sunbed with the sky so black and the magical colors of the fireworks cracked, it were like amazing stars falling just of our reach. That when our eyes are closed, still the lovely hues linger even sleep will conquer us so...

Wheeeww, did you just read that? Sounds corny but Lukie agrees with me while his hands are tucked under his nape, lying down legs crossed. Awed on every "POOOMM" while he says, "grande!"(great/big), "che bello"(beautiful/how nice) and "forte"(strong).

For Dylan? He was with headphones and scared while he is embracing me tightly. He only relaxed when he turned his back and watched the fireworks of Union Lido, a kilometer far from us.

SEASONS OF THE HEART

Bees And Ducks was my entry a year ago for remembering my Mama Normie's day. She should have been 54 now and would love to hear this song -Seasons Of The Heart. My mother is a fan of John Denver and loves to sing Perhaps Love.

When I turned 33 last year, I realized my Mama passed away at the same age. Right there and then, I decided to write more about my kids. I've also started composing them letters which are stored in our PC. Here's my very first 2 paragraphs:

My dear Lukie and Dylan,

Here's another of Mamas story for you to read when I will be no longer here to tell it to you. I lost my Mom at an early age and there's no day that I don't miss her. Im always wondering what were her thoughts, beliefs and what she feels on and about everything. I want to hear from her how she got angry or laughed with all the clutter I did when I was a toddler like you two.

Someday, I don't want you to feel the same - to be left out with questions and wishing I am still around to answer them.

I don't mean to sound morbid here, Ill fight to see you grow. Its just that, I didn't know my mom would leave us that soon too......

Going back to my Mom's birthday, I can't remember us celebrating her day but its so clear to me how she makes mine a "grand" one. Her hair set with curlers while she cooks, arranging flowers she bought and later dressing me up for the party..... Just among the many "happy childhood" she gave during the few years of her stay.

WEEKLY QUESTION 12

The 12th Weekly Question from Teacher Julie's GreenBucks :

If you were an Olympian, what sport would you be participating?

Volleyball. It had been my event since my Elementary days. My first time to be away from home was when I joined the girl's team. For the District Meet, we have to camp at Tublay Central Elementary School (almost an hour away from our place) for 4 days.

I can't remember if my family said they missed me but for sure I missed all of them. I can't sleep and was thinking, I'll change, be good and won't fight with my sisters when I get back home. That was only true for half a day. Then during the Provincial Meet at La Trinidad Benguet, my second time to be away from my family for a week, I was more into anticipating what's the food for the next meal tham missing every one hehehe...

Out of the topic: Since we're into sports, I just want to share this from Bill's blog: Franklin Kawaen is Karate World Champ . Click also on the links at the end of the article for more Igorot achievers of combative sports. I'm so proud of these 'Kailyans', their achievements is calling our government's attention on what sports we should support. Quoting my husband, "its good our Igorot champions didn't play basketball"!

Here's what's "buzzing" Italy lately when we speak of the "olympics".

BTW, Federica Pellegrini took home the 'oro' (gold) for the 200 meters (women) event the next day.

VENICE CLICKS

For the many photos piling up, might as well post 'em here. A weekly entry of pictures taken here in Venice by BOOGIE(of course).

Here's for the start:

BLUE CLOUDS

HANNAH B

Grazie Hannah B. for showing us your "water world". Looking forward for the next postcard and your entry for that California spree!

Which reminds me, I need to upgrade my Blogroll links - New sites to add and old blogfriends I missed to put.

Bouna Domenica Tutti (Have a nice Sunday everyone)!

GOOGLE GADGETS

Saw this on Blogger's new dashboard and tried it yesterday:

Google Gadgets in your Layouts blog can now set their height automatically (if the gadget author supports it). Read more about adding Google Gadgets to your blog.

Notice the side bars and the new "gadgets". USELESS KNOWLEDGE had been making me click back and forth to refresh my home page. I love reading them. I find it entertaining(lol). Here are some I had cut and pasted after 7 clicks. Really cool!

1. It would pay to be prudent in the vicinity of the honeybee as it flits from flower to flower not only because of its painful sting, but because each year the honeybee kills more people worldwide than venomous snakes.

2. During the Renaissance, blondes definitely had more fun. Blond hair for women became so much de rigueur in Venice that a brunette was not to be seen except among the working classes. Venetian women spent hours dyeing and burnishing their hair until they achieved the harsh metallic glitter that was considered a necessity.

3. It takes an average of 18 hummingbirds to weigh in at 1 ounce.

4. The first graves in Arlington National Cemetery were dug by James Parks, a former Arlington Estate slave. Buried in Section 15, James Parks is the only person buried in Arlington National Cemetery who was also born on the property.

5. Before she was cast as the sultry Uhura on the 1960s Star Trek, Nichelle Nichols performed as a singer with Duke Ellington.

6. Captain Kangaroo, starring Bob Keeshan, was the first TV network kids’ show in the United States. CBS launched it in 1954.

7. During World War II, in May 1942, U.S. ice cream manufacturers were restricted by law to produce only 20 different flavors of ice cream. But to this date, no explanation for the law has ever been offered.

These Gadgets means more sponsors for Google. Hayyy. much money foy them who have much money already... its okey, its educational even if they tagged it as Useless Knowledge, at least 'man lang' there's something learned even just by clicking this site hehehe...

MORE BLESSED YEARS TO THEM ALL!

If last weeks "blog drought" was because of minor depression, this week would point the "blame" on birthdays. I wonder what would it be for next week?

I don't know if its also true with other 'Kababayans nga taga' abroad that Pinoys are fond of celebrations. Even for First Communion, a party is held. 'Ci sempre festa' (there's always a party) would irritate SOME old, bitter and racist Italian neighbors when Pinoys start to get the festivity going (lol).

For me, nothing wrong with parties except for the "diet ruined". Hu, hu, hu... the 6.6 lbs I lost from not eating rice for a month and a half came back just for the 4 birthdays we graced this week. I can't resist all these Filipino foods specially when it was prepared by others and I am just there to eat hehehe....

'Nakakahiya' if you'll not go when they'll personally ring you. Then they'll call you again making sure you are near their door. I always tell my self, "Okey, for my kids". Its one of the least I can do to show them "Filipinism"... through birthdays hehehe...

First it was Dan-Dan's birthday. He used to baby sit Lukie when I was still working and my... he would make a great father someday. My son is very good in judging characters and very selective on whom to trust. When Lukie is sleepy, bored and scared, he holds my and Boogie's neck. Well, our eldest will hold Dan-Dan's neck when we're all in the same room.

Next day was Tita Fe's turn. She jokingly said her age stopped at 47 ten years ago. Do the math, how old is she now? Her older 'apos', Feona, Lance and Gelo didn't join her blow the cake. Only Yahra, Eisha and Francine did.


The next day was Jerome's 13th big day. He is Gerson's brother. I have no picture of him. I don't know if he has a 'friendster' account. its where I got Tita Fe's and Dan-Dan's photos.

Little James had his Christianing yesterday and because it was raining, we did not go. Her mom Billy is where most of us Filipinos in Venice send our remittance. She works for BPI and Equittable Bank.


And, today was Murielle's(at the middle, an old photo with Dylan and Lukie), 6th candle blowing. She is Boogie's 'inaanak'(goddaughter). Seems all Filipinos came out. Some I saw when Lukie was just a baby. "Ayyy, yan na ang pangalawa mo?"(your second? - reffering to our babies), was our line after years of meeting again.

WEEKLY QUESTION 11

Many thanks to Teacher Julie of GreenBucks for linking us for last week's question HERE.

The WQ#11 was inspired by the answer of Lovelyn to WQ#10 regarding the Little Girl and I want to know your opinion on this very important and controversial topic of Family Planning Issues and the ballooning population of the country:

Should people heed the call of the Catholic Church to not use artificial means of contraception/reproductive health products and services OR should they go ahead, talk to their doctors and plan for how they want to practice family planning?

I'm two weeks behind my postings with Julie's Weekly Questions and almost everyone wrote their piece which boiled down to "couples should do what is comfortable with them". If I also did my counting right, everyone agreed to birth control and population growing out of hand MUST be addressed to by the church, the people and the government regardless of methods used EXCEPT abortion.

I won't answer this question with statistics or what must be done. I will not focus on the stand of the Catholic Church, my religion, though I totally disagree with them about contraceptives. I think God had a keen mind as well as reasoning when he gave us free will. Hence, when the church says go forth and multiply, it doesn't mean we should readily comply. Our Creator is smarter to demand us that!

I will not also point my finger to the government or even suggest that the boat sinks when its fully loaded and exceeding it's capacity - That's how I see the Philippines right now in many aspects I don't want to elaborate. As they say, "its hard to know what you already know when you choose not to know it". Priests aren't dumb neither the President nor our politicians. They know what's the problem but REASONS, what ever they have, is their right... no matter how irrational it is!

I'd rather tell you that I came from a family of 8 girls and 3 boys. Obviously my father wasn't listening when he was lectured about family planning. Just to make a comparison, his brother who has 3 children had been long done in worrying for the next tuition fee while my Dad will still see his 2 youngest to graduate elementary, one is in college and 2 more boys yet to finish high school.

You see, its as simple as bigger family = bigger spending, lesser kids = less expenditure. And, to consider today's cost of living allowance, who doesn't want to have an early retirement from financial responsibilities as he sips his pineapple juice lying on a sunbed while watching the sunset at Boracay?

MTV FLASH

Every summer, 'nostro commune' (our community) Cavallino - Treporti, is "wide awake" at night. We have the Carnival, video arcade and concerts, dance and children's (magic) show at the 'piazza'(square). We also have the inflated bouncers and slides near the mini golf which is Lukie's choice when he is to decide where will we go.

Its not ideal but these recreations or amusements send my little boys to bed as late as midnight. I let them enjoy it, that's only for 3 months anyway. For winter and succeeding months, our place would be like a ghost town so why spoil the fun.

Lukie asked me onetime:

Lukie: "Mama, when will we go to the balloon-balloon?". (Its how he calls the inflated bouncers and slides).

Mama: When Papa's flash will come. ( A brand new flash he bought from eBay).

Lukie: What's a flash? Flash like the MTV FLASH (or the MTV NEWS)?

Mama: No! You know that thing that lights up when you take pictures.... blah,blah, blah...

Lukie: How about to the mini golf?

Mama: When you really-really know how to swim already.

Lukie: Oh, that would be MTV SPLASH!

TRUBLUE SPEAKS: OBAMA VS MCCAIN

Thank you very much to TruBlue for writing this post for us. Cheers and hope for more favors/writings to come! ;-)

Flattered you chose me who doesn't follow politics but my simple ordinary view is that it will come down to the Electoral College of the more than 10 swing states. These states are in a way neutral and will have a say as to who becomes president, so rigorous campaigning is essential to these key areas.

There are 538 Electoral Votes and 270+ is required regardless if you lost in the general popular votes. McCain will surely win the South and some midwester states while Obama takes the Pacific NW, NorthEast and Hawaii. Well, that's the norm.

If RACE is not an issue, Obama can win despite the current dirt diggings. McCain obviously is the white candidate and will dominate their votes but if the Asians, Hispanics, and Blacks are truly a voting Bloc, Obama can also win and it's so repugnant listening to pundits say "America is not ready for a black president"! I ask, when is the right time?? Heck, a Japanese ruled the country of PERU at one time.

Varieties of domestic issues especially the economy, and foreign policies, the war in Iraq are key issues to articulate and sell to swing voters. Don't anger also those ever sniping rights groups with liberal/conservative opinions as it's quite dangerous.

Obama's patriotism is under a radar for one reason oranother but hey, Bill Clinton was a Draft dodger; Bush 43 eluded the military and was a National Guardsman, Reagan was an actor, and VP Dick Cheney, who at one point addressed graduating cadets of an elite Military School, avoided the Draft with his FIVE Deferments.

McCain is a well-decorated Navy Pilot and hot tempered. Both can lead the nation with or without being in the military, just sorround yourself with good old fashioned intellects in your cabinet while listening to LOGIC once elected.

During our return fligt from the Pacific NW last month, I sat next to this good looking lady and we talked the whole time while TP slept. Kept looking at her as she looked familiar and at one point during our chat, she said "I will vote for Obama" and sharply said "she hated the current administration". This woman looked like Kim Bassinger, just for your info, and she's from Oregon, a democratic state.

I only mentioned that brief encounter to illustrate how particular groups of people, a town, county, or a state are hardly swayed by any politician's rhetorics when it comes to their own idealogies and authentic political affiliation. The same underlying principles I just can'talter my friends from the Pacific NW to vote for Obama and likewise to my chums in Southern California to cast their votes for McCain. It's the nature of the Beast, that's why I hate Politics! But it will be interesting from here on and could be historical as well.

MY SIMPLE OBAMANESS

Okey, I'm just a SAHM and not even an American. My "political acrobats" would not even pass in deffirentiating a democrat from a republican. But, a future president who can move and dance that "hot" is a "change" itself hehehe...

I have to give credit first to REYNA ELENA for stalking Sen Obama here: Meet Senator Barack Obama, 47 years old. As usual, the laughters "she"(that's Reynz), draws out even if "she" talks seriously (to the highest degree) is contagoius.

Eversince Sen Obama was making a name for himself, I've always rooted for him to make it big mainly because he is black. So absurd as it may sound but I believe that the "challenge" of marking history as the first African - American President will always remind him to do what is right and that would also burden him to be a good one.

Here is a must read: The story of my life

...Whose story do you prefer?

It may not come as much of a surprise to hear that politicians are adept at telling stories. But in the modern political age, our leaders have increasingly relied on creating narratives around themselves and their ideas to communicate with us... continue reading

THINKING TOO MUCH

Sometimes I envy those people whose only problem is how to wash their dishes... or how to cook the chicken - 'adobo or tinola'?

Sometimes I wish I couldn't read - no TV, no news, no computer and be ignorant about the poverty crisis in the Philippines and the graft and corruption that is worsening it. I also desire NOT TO KNOW about the hunger in Africa, the recent incest case that rocked Germany, mourning widows and orphans of the war in Iraq, children missing, abused and killed, injustice etc... etc...

It also hurts so much to know that there are sick people who're just waiting for their time to die because they can't afford to buy their life.

Sometimes I simply wish I'll stop thinking that much.

But, you know what? When I hug my boys, they bring me back to hope. They resurrect me from drowning into the maladies of the society. The need to be strong to show them that the world is still beautiful may be a struggle but I owe it to them and their "budding life". And, this is not because of my duty as a parent... its for the love of life itself.

Cartoon Credit: http://www.cartoonstock.com/

TO OUR DEAR BLOGGER FRIEND JMM AND FAMILY:

I pursued words to console your grief.
Mummed to hear it come, I plead.
Pithy may be uttered in swift,
I welcomed defeat, I must concede.


Such is an ache for a piercing loss.
Empathy may not even give justice
But, its what I have as I say the most-
May his soul rest and forever lay in peace.

WHAT LUKIE WANTS

"Yeah right, every body's at the beach!" my husband said when we got to the mall today. We were there before lunch and cars covering the parking lot look like ants in columns. There were also many cars waiting for that "miracle space". That's the advantage of riding the bus, its never a problem where to park.

I told him this morning that we'd better go and buy Lukie's things for school before every one gets back from their vacation. He said the mall would probably be full. I confidently disagree and told him they've all gone to the beach.

On September, Lukie goes to Prima Elementare (Grade 1). The real spending for his education starts. For his Day Care everything was free. Pens, papers, colors etc... were provided. So with his three years Prep/Kinder except for the lunch ticket which is 3.10 euros everyday.

As advised by one of the mothers - backpack, 'grembiole'(apron that looks like a long polo shirt), coloring pens/pencil and crayons should be bought first. Other stuff would be later because the list of things needed will be given on the first day of school.

Lukie decided to have the DragonBallZ trolley/backpack over the Ferrari I was insisting him to have. The prior was the first one we saw. About twenty DragonBallZ trollies/back packs on a platform which costs 44.95 euros each. The cheaper backpacks were hanged behind including the stunning red Ferrari bag I like which is only 22 euros.

Boogie came while I was comparing the prices of the two bags to my son. He tried bribing him with a PlayStation game(DVD) if he chooses the Ferrari. We even told Lukie, we'll buy a DVD of any cartoon film he wants. Arrgghhh, DragonBallZ won!

On our way home, I told my husband what I suddenly saw in my mind. During Lukie's passed Kinder years, all the kids at school had colorful bags with their favorite animation show. It was only my son who had a plain blue EastPack. I then understood why Lukie wanted this bag.

For my husband, he still can't let go of the Ferrari one. Tomorrow he'll remind Lukie again of what he did not choose while they watch the FORMULA 1 ING MAGYAR NAGYDIJ 2008 (Budapest).

Oh well, for a while there, we forgot what Lukie wanted. He is still a child and sees things as a child. He would like to have what every other child would like to have. I hope we always remind ourselves with this.

WEEKLY QUESTION 10

Teacher Julie wrote:

"I decided to make WQ a little different today. I have posted a photo in my blog and I want to know your thoughts about it.

Here is a part of my post as a way of explaining the photo:

I once chanced upon this little girl walking in front of the house one late summer day. She was wearing an undershirt and an underwear plus a pair of pink flip flops. I immediately took two photos of her and this was one of them (the other photo she was standing up so I didn’t choose to upload because I thought it was a little indecent for a little girl)"

Tina of MyGoodFinds has a point when she said, "Since I have not walked the shoes of the parents of this little girl, it’s hard for me to judge. I don’t know if the parents have fallen in hard times and not be able afford decent clothes for their girl but they still shouldn’t let her go outside like that..." on her comment.

For me, the photo reflects how population explosion affects the Philippines. With 88.57 million Filipinos as of 2007 tallied by the NSO, expect some children to be neglected and wander places in such clothing.

"Family planning is responsible parenthood" says it all for me to make this post short. Sir Juan Flavier had been right since I first heard it from him 15 years ago.

FERIE D'AGOSTO

August for Italy is vacation time. If you have business transactions or working on papers that needed to pass on certain government offices, don't do it this month. You will end up "boiling" more than the summer heat.

Roads for get away destinations such as the beach and the mountains are in heavy traffic as shown on TV last night. Out of the country travels too are at it's peak during this time for the Italians. "To avoid the tourists, be a tourist", was said by the crabby lady next to me in the boat this morning on my way to Lido. She keeps on complaining and she said can't wait to leave Venice. I left her and my seat too as I can't concentrate on what I'm reading.

Here's an article: AT THE START OF EXODUS IN AUGUST to tell us more.

Boun Ferie d'Agosto every one! Stay safe.

PHOTO CREDIT: La Stampa.it