BEACH ON FIRE 09

"Off to the beach in an hour. Third time to watch the longest fireworks in the whole world. A 13 kilometer of synchronized blustering sounds and enchanting shower of sparks display." This is what I posted on my Facebook shout out last night before we left home.

Dylan and Lukie were playing with the sand before the fireworks started. I told them to come seat next to me or they'll miss the first launch. Oh, lately, my kids seem to listen the fifth time I tell them something. They might have gotten it from someone else hehehe... Then they tell me I'm 'makulit' if they'll finally do what I say... Then again, if I say something once and they missed it, they blame me cause I should have told them a dozen times...

Booom! The firecracker started to "roar". Dylan docked on the sand for his precious life. And startled Lukie, didn't know if he'll run to me or on the sunbed he was suppose to sit!

I told them its soon going to start, didn't I?

Maybe next year or when Dylan will not cling to me anymore, I can get better shots. My little one enjoyed it while I was covering his ears. He was mumbling words I can't figure but I know what he was saying was simply, "WOW"!

People applauded 5 times thinking it was the finale. It was better this year. Funny how me and Lukie would say, "that's new", every after an awesome blast, which we're sure, it wasn't used the previous years. Click our old post for this event: Beach On Fire and BEACH ON FIRE 2008.

FEMALE VAMPIRE

True or not, I wish it was a male hahaha.... My husband scored with our standing joke. "Babae nga talaga!", he told me when we heard of this. Will someone feed me up with male "shockingness" so I'll have my revenge!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Female "Vampire" Found in Venice Dig

By: ARIEL DAVID

ROME — An archaeological dig near Venice has unearthed the 16th-century remains of a woman with a brick stuck between her jaws — evidence, experts say, that she was believed to be a vampire.

The unusual burial is thought to be the result of an ancient vampire-slaying ritual. It suggests the legend of the mythical bloodsucking creatures was tied to medieval ignorance of how diseases spread and what happens to bodies after death, experts said.

The well-preserved skeleton was found in 2006 on the Lazzaretto Nuovo island, north of the lagoon city, amid other corpses buried in a mass grave during an epidemic of plague that hit Venice in 1576.

"Vampires don't exist, but studies show people at the time believed they did," said Matteo Borrini, a forensic archaeologist and anthropologist at Florence University who studied the case over the last two years. "For the first time we have found evidence of an exorcism against a vampire."....... continue reading HERE ....

REST ROOMS

This article caught my attention:


By Ian Simpson VENICE, Italy (Reuters Life!) - Venice wants to make itself an easier place to go, so it is launching an online service to allow visitors to pre-pay for access to public toilets with the click of a mouse...Read full story: PAY VIRTUALLY AND PEE VIRTOUSLY IN VENICE.

Toilet facility shortage is one of the main problem of Venice specially during summer when almost 10,000 tourist flood the city in a day. Estimated 10,000,000 people visiting in a year is an overwhelming number for merely less than a dozen public comfort rooms.

WC -AMAV(Azienda Multiservizi Ambientali Veneziana) charges 1 euro per entry and may double for the city sanitation authorities' plan to improve their services. "WC" is the sign, by the way, for comfort rooms and always have coins ready for the loo in case you'll come and visit Venice.

When I was pregnant and using the toilet is an every minute necessity, going around the maze of this floating city would be an excuse to enter bars for a drink(water or anything), a meal in fast-foods restos(McDonalds, Spizzico etc...) and restaurants(on special days if the budget can afford). A bottle of water in a bar which is more or less 2 euros is not bad when you're relieved of "liquid retention". Quite practical than lining public toilets, I think.

I remember when we were still in Baguio City, Jollibee and McDonald's were more like "CR's" than their "intended purposes". I haven't checked the last time we went home if the public toilets of Maharlika and La Azotea Building are still there. Now, I'm making mental count on our public rest rooms. Not much of a handful too when its a very important basic facility that the city should address.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, the comfort rooms of Center mall and SM have longer lines than the cash registrar to any of their stores.

GEC AFFECTING VENICE

Its taking it's toll now, the "Global Economic Crisis" is getting scarier for us here. Some hotels are closing or filing bankruptcy - an easy way out.
Other hotels are also being sold to new investors making employees unsure if they will be re hired by new owners.

Tourism is what makes Venice live. Hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, rtw and shoe stores, art galleries align the left and right side when you walk through the maze of this floating city. Aside from the museum, churches and historical sites of course, these compose the main source of living to almost everyone of us residing here. Italians or foreigners alike.

With the ongoing "crisis", people will not spend. No holidays, no out of town so there will be no tourist flocking in. Americans, which are among the top nationality visiting Venice, sadly they're one of the most affected with this economic slowdown(more of a shutdown).

Many Filipinos are also being laid off with their jobs while its also true that many new Pinoys are still coming in to Italy. Add that other European such as Romanians, Russians etc are flocking in too. The imbalance of jobs against workers is damaging. We Pinoys, who demand higher pay, could not compit so we'll be forced to level with other nationalities in terms of salary.

Being said, we're still getting by, not to worry our love ones reading this. We're OK, its just we're sad for other Pinoys here who're greatly affected. Pray with us though that miracle will work on this "crisis" before it will gnaw at us.

PHOTO CREDITS: Le Gente - musashiboogie

ALL IN A DAY

What a day to start the month. December 1st, ACTV (company for Venice's public transport:boat and buses) was on strike. Only the 'Motonave' or the big boat/ship was utilized with limited and scheduled trips. Highest tide, a record after twenty years, made it worst (read this: International Herald Tribune). Add that, it was windy and raining too.

The day for me was saved by this old lady (around 60 years old) in the boat on my way to Lido Venezia. She was wearing a skirt. A man, about 5 years younger, passed by her side and his umbrella touched the old lady's left leg.

"Mama mia, what was that?" the surprised lady spoke in Italian.Then she saw it was the man's umbrella. "Ugh, scusa(sorry)!" he apologized. "Its okay, I was just wondering what was that thing touching me." she answered laughing. The man replied, "For sure, it wasn't my hand hahaha!". Then the old lady said, "I wouldn't mind... its voluntarily offered hehehe!".... How it all made everyone in the boat laugh. I heard mine - THE LOUDEST!

PHOTO CREDITS: International Herald Tribune

FEAST OF THE MADONNA DELLA SALUTE

November 21st for Venice is FESTA DELLA MADONNA DELLA SALUTE(about the feast: read the article below from Venezia.net). Just to add what the article did not include as to why "OTHERS" consider it A MUST CELEBRATION TO ATTEND. For some, its because of the 'fritelli' (fried dough bathe in sugar or stuffed with abundant Nutella .... hhmmmnnn yummy). Take note also that 'Salute' means health.

Another is the festive mood enjoyed by the kids and making their parents buy these balloons of their favorite cartoon characters. Just like Lukie and his dear 'Spongy' Bob.

Inside the church, all the Jewels of the Madonna and Baby Jesus are real gold. So are the linings of the altar table and most part of the shrine. Old paintings too and the detailed marble floors are among the other treasures of this church.

The feast day is a chance to enter the Santa Maria Della Salute church up to the Dogana(house of the customs(back in the olden times) which is not open on ordinary days) down to the sacristy and the little passage at the back going out of the sacred building. It felt like a maze to me and made me wonder if there are other "secret passages" and why were they made.

FEAST OF MADONNA DELLA SALUTE

21st November 2006 by: Venezia.net

The Feast of Salute is, with no doubt, the one with the less tourist impact, recalling a real popular religious feeling.

Also such festivity, like that of Redentore, reminds us of another terrible plague occurred during the two-year period 1630-1631, and the succeeding vow made by the Doge in order to get the intercession of the Virgin.

Still nowadays on 21st November thousands of citizens march before the high altar of the majestic Salute Church in order to perpetuate the age-old bond of gratitude existing between the town and the Virgin Maria.

Those who have the opportunity to be in Venice during the day of Salute can breathe an atmosphere of genuine and heartfelt popular participation, as well as not pharisaic religiosity, but deeply related to the history and traditions of the town.

the temporary bridge and on the right side is the Salute church

Every year, for this feast, a temporary bridge on boats is built: it crosses the Canal Grande and links the areas of St. Moisè and St. Maria del Giglio (sestiere of St. Marco) to the Basilica of Longhena (sestiere of Dorsoduro), in order to allow the passage of the procession.

Tens of thousands of people go on a pilgrimage to pay homage to the Madonna and to light a church candle in order to make Her intercede for their good health.

The ceaseless queue of people which on 21st November march on the votive bridge made of boats, towards the imposing Salute Church, testifies the still living and strong bond existing between the town and the Madonna.

PER FORTUNA

I took my sister Jie with me when I went to wash our winter curtains. I just remembered I had put them in the store room unclean. I should have brought it to the laundry when I changed it with the summer ones. Next time, I will store it clean ready to be hung. (Yeah right! Husband is betting I'll do the usuals...lol..).

Since its too bulky and it would take 3 loads in our washing machine to bubble it all, the 'lavanderia'
(laundry house) is indeed practical. Drying would even be a lot easier.

Why am I boring you with my laundry? Keep reading (lol)...

There's this old Italian lady waiting for her clothes to dry when we got there. The other huge dryer is at work and 6 more minutes before it's time is up. "Its not mine. I haven't seen the owner since I came here hours ago", the lady said in Italian as she shrugs and extends her neck with her mouth protruding followed by the nose. A typical mannerism for Venetians. Its sarcasm when translated in words.

Then she told us about the last time she came to use the dryer. Same thing, there were dried clothes in the dryer and its unattended. Naturally, she took it out because its already dry, put it in a basket and replaced it with her stuff.

The owner of the "abandoned laundry" came. "You have no right to touch my things!" she shouted to the Italian old lady and they argued "come mata"(like crazy) the lady tells us. "She should have not left her things and for that, she had no right to be angry!", she added.

Before the Italian lady went back to her magazine, sensing maybe that she talked a lot and forgot we're strangers, she spoke in wisdom, "Va be'... non siamo uguali... PER FORTUNA!" (WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME....FORTUNATELY).

ANG KAKILALA KONG PAMILYA(Pangalawang Bahagi)

Naaalala pa ba ninyo ang ANG PAMILYANG ITO? Ipagpaumanhin po ninyo na isusulat ko ito sa ating ng wika. Alam ko pong hindi mabuting pag-usapan ang personal na buhay ng ibang tao, dala ng naumpisahan ko na at may katungkulan akong tapusin, akin pong itutuloy at naway kapulutan po natin ng aral ang ilang bahagi nito. On the lighter side, hayan, 'justified' na kung bakit ko sisimulan ang pahinang ito(lol).

Simula nong nakaraang Linggo, ewan ko kong matutuwa ako o hind, binabasa na po nila(mga pangunahing tauhan ng kwento) ang blog na ito.

Natapos na ang 'internship' ng anak nyang babae kaya s'ya ay bumalik sa Venice. Napagkasunduan ng hiwalay na mag-asawa(mas ang babaeng ex ang nagdesisyun) na dalawang Linggo sa Tatay at dalawang Linngo sa nanay si Geli(itago natin sya sa pangalang ito). Dahil sa wala pang desi otso ang dalaga, kailangang tumira pa s'ya mga magulang.

Ang ex na babae, na atin ding itatago sa pangalang Mina, ay pinapag-aral ng kanyang kumpanya ng computer kaya kada katapusang dalawang Linggo ng buwan, andito sya sa Venice at sa kanya tutuloy si Geli. Pagkatapos naman ng dalawang Linggo, dahil si Mina ay babalik sa trabaho, agad namang lilipat sa ama, na ating tatawaging Dave, ang kanilang anak na babae.

Kung pano ko nakilalala ang pamilyang ito ay sa pamamagitang ng dating titser ni Boogs sa Italyano na ng lumaon ay naging amo nya at sya rin ang may-ari ng dati naming tinitirhan. Andito ang karagdagang isinulat ni Boogie tungkol sa gurong ito: First Meeting at The Male House Maid.

Wala pa kaming legal na permit of stay dito nung sinabi ni Rebecca(English teacher) na may kaibigan syang nangangailangan ng tagapalinis ng bahay nya twice a week. Magdadalawang taon pa lang si Lukie noon, tinanggap ko ang alok at ito. Isa sa mga ipinagpapasalamat kong nangyari sa amin dito sa Italya. Na maging bahagi ng kwento ng pamilyang ito at vice-versa, na sila'y maging bahagi rin ng istorya ng pakikipagsapalaran namin sa bansang ito.

Maalala ko noong ako'y magsimulang magtrabaho sa kanila, mas matangkad pa ako kay Geli(considering maliit na ako ha) at si Mario(anak na lalaki) ay pilit akong kinakausap ng Eglish para mapractice nya ang mga natutuhan n'ya kay Rebecca. Unang raw ko pa lang ay nakita kong swerte ko sa kanila kasi magagalang ang mga anak at halos wala akong ginawa dahil tinapos na ng nanay ang mga dapat gawin.

Kalimitan, ang mga bata dito ay kulang sa kabutihang asal at ang mga Venitsyano ay isa sa mga 'worst' na rasista. Buti na lang ang pamilyang ito ay galing sa Padova(another province of Italy) na maraming iba't ibang lahi ang naninirahan gawa ng malapit ito sa France at maraming estudyante ng mga karatig bansa ang dito'y nag-aaral ng Italyano.

Dahil wala pa kaming 'permit of stay' noong mga unang taon namin dito, hindi kami intitled sa health care benefits katulad ng libreng doctor at murang gamot. Bawal pa sa mga doktor na pagsilbihan ang mga "walang papel" at kung sila'y mahuhuli, marerevoke ang doctor's license nila at mamumulta pa ng napakalaking halaga.

Buti na lang nung namasukan ako kina Mina, ibinaba ang amnesty at tinulungan ako ng pamilyang ito at si Rebecca na rin, na mabigyan ng papel. Si Lukie ay ipinasok ko na sa Day Care at ako nama'y nagtraho na ng full time. Laging nagkakahawaan ang bata sa 'Asilo'(tawag sa daycare)kaya laging may sakit si Lukie sa mga unang taon nyang nagstay doon.

May ibinigay na pediatrician kay Lukie (bawat bata ay may naka assign na pedia. Bigay ng gobyerno na kasali sa malaking tax na binabayaran ng amo o kinakaltas sa aming sweldo). Napaka walang malasakit ang doktor na ito at hindi man lang sya nalarma na isang buwan ng laging may lagnat si Lukie. Sabi n'ya, normal daw sa winter at sa unang taon ng maga batang nasa 'asilo' kaya basta na lang bibigyan kami ng anti-biotic.

Pasko ng 2004, dahil pumunta si Rebecca sa England, pinatira kami sa bahay nya(with pay) para bantayan at ilabas ang dalawang aso nila. Hapon ng 24, lahat ng doctor ay on leave na dahil pasko. Nilalagnat pa rin si Lukie pagkatapos ng 4 na klaseng anti-biotic na pinagpalit-palit ng pediatrician nya. Wala talaga kaming matawagang doktor kaya ang ginawa ni Mina, pumunta sya bahay mismo ng dating pediatrician ng kanyang mga anak at na ring sa buzzer nila..... ITUTULOY...

THE ITALIAN FAMILY I KNEW (Part 1)

He married her beautiful wife, a successful accountant who already built a house from the earnings of her career. They had two kids and the wife decided to quit her work when the second one was born. The family left their hometown and settled here in Venice - where the father was permanently assigned for his "import-export" job.

The marriage wore off after 20 years. They divorced. Their eldest son found a job in Spain and their 17 year old daughter is doing her internship away from both parent's place.

The wife went back to their old hometown and started to work again. She now lives in the house she built when she was still single. While he, the ex-husband stayed in Venice with his new house, new pots, new home theater and definitely new life. Their family home here was retained by the wife for her and their daughter to stay when they're in Venice.

In his late fifties, he now has a life of a bachelor riding motorbikes, cooking his food and ironing his own clothes. Then he got sick, suddenly can't walk, blood pressure is dangerously high and was admitted to the hospital. Dr's can't find the cause why his BP is always up though medical tests and exams showed all is fine. Good thing he was able to walk again.

I went to see him last Friday. It was a depressing sight. Just as I step out of the elevator, an old man with swollen lower extremities was having an argument on the phone. Another weak man walking so slow going to the TV room. I was about to ask directions but he seems in a different world. I doubt if he could even see me. An unconscious patient was being wheeled from the operating room. The ward is cramped , nurses are unfriendly and the smell of disinfectant is so strong. Reminds you, you're really in a hospital

I was asked by the nurse to wait for 10 minutes because the patient I am visiting is being attended to by the doctors. So, I waited. I'm watching TV with the two men I saw earlier avoiding to make eye contacts that might encourage conversations. 30 minutes passed and I was called by the nurse to get in.

He was lying there so frail, different from the smart shipping tycoon in his expensive suit. A small vial of meds directly dripped into his veins to lower down his yet again high blood pressure. He was not allowed to to leave his bed till the dextrose is consumed. The last time I saw him, before he was admitted, he was riding his fast motorbike feeling like a daredevil away from his age.

"I want to get out of here", was the first thing he said upon seeing me. "If I'll die, I want it at home, not in this freakin' hospital! The doctors can't figure out what's wrong with me." he added.

I asked if he has some friends to do things or errands for him and he said just the people from his office. Her ex-wife came to Venice on the third day he was admitted but stayed outside the hospital while their daughter gave him a visit. She just came to pack her daughter's things for her trip and she'll go back to her old home after.


I already knew the ex-wife is coming before the ex-husband knew. She called me to air open her house that has been closed for the whole summer. She also told me what triggered his ex-husband's attack - he stopped taking in the pills to contain his BP. He also went back to smoking and his usual 2 glasses of wine per meal was increased to more than his capacity. I pretended I didn't know these and gave him no hint that I spoke with her former wife...

to be continued...

THUNDER COMES AFTER LIGHTNING

Sorry, this has nothing to do with Lightning McQueen! I just love watching this film with my kids and you know, with my "flight of ideas", it just snaps(lol)....

Our Internet connection had been crazy for 4 days now (It feels like a week for each day hehehe). Something was struck by a lightning after the storm we had last Saturday. 'Meno male che' (less hassle cause) our electricity gets back in seconds after shutting off.

Our kids were quite panicky for the thunders that were roaring loud and the lightnings that will jerk you up in fright. Poor Dylan, he clung to me as he cries every after occurrence.

It was chaotic last Monday because banks, the post office, and businesses generated by the net were paralyzed for Cavallino - Treporti(our 'commune'). My sister who went to pay some bills and to post her papers for her permit of stay was asked to come back if the Internet is fixed. Goes to show what a great damage if computers won't work now a days. Yikes! We're becoming dependent to it.

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.

REDENTORE 2008

Every third Saturday of July, 'Redentore' is celebrated here in Venice. Its a festivity highlighted with an hour of fire works from 11 pm till midnight to commemorate the victims of the plaque that took 50,ooo lives in the year 1577.

Residents and tourist take out their boats and yachts as early as 6 P.M. to flock the waters between San Marco and Giudecca. Others take out their tables on the wharf of San Saccaria, San Marco and Zattere and other places fronting the the Giudecca Church or the place for the fire works. In merriment, food is consumed as well as wine and beers while they wait for the main show.

Here is a very interesting article about the origin of this event: Venice, Redentore( A MUST CLICK)

Pictures bellow are the serene sight of Giudecca during ordinary nights.




This is the third 'Redentore' that Boogie covered. He is in a graveyard shift at work to sneak for these shots (lol). When I was pregnant with Lukie and when he was about 3 years old, we watched the fire works from Lido(an Island near Venice). The event is not suited for kids specially if you're near Giudeccca. Too crowded, deafeningly loud and too much smoke. You'll surely go home with a "black nose" ;-)

FLORICOLTURA DA NATASCIA

I thought of narrating this entry with Lukie blogging. I have to give it to him, posing for my clicks with out the usual bribe of Haribo or Mentos. Overstimulated(hehehe) by pollens, perhaps.

Here are some or our flower talks and shots. Its the time of the year for it's turn to flourish. If only I could upload all our flower pictures...it would be "tending" exaggeration(lol) so I forced my self not to.

The flu season gave us a full blow before summer will completely take over. I caught it first when we went to Lukie's Pediatrician for his Medical Certificate (a school requirement before he goes back after his Chicken "Pops"). I thought it was just an allergy (pollen "springs") because at the same day, we went to buy flowers from Natascia. We're all fine now, except for Dylan who's in medication for mild Bronchitis.

Less than ten minutes walk from our home, there's these greenhouses for vegetables and two(greenhouse) were set aside for flowers. Which during spring and summer, they open for business. Its a small flower farm with an aura of - the owner just wants to share her hobby.
I asked Natascia what's the name of her 'negozio'(business) and told her I'll blog about it. "Floricultura Da Natascia", she told me.


She's one SuperMom. Before heading home, it was kind of her to drop all the plants we bought. Then another sack of soil and more plants the next day with her sleek car, a Mercedes Benz, not fit for dirt hehehe.

Natascia amazed me when she lifted the 15 kilos sack of soil from her car and I told her to wait for me as I was coming out of the house. We both laughed when I told her, "mama mia, che forte"(how strong)! She was even sorry for bringing it late because she has to water the plants, go shop for their food and get the kids from school. HooWaa! She's got all the right to be late for me hehehe....


Next post would be our flowers at home. See you there!

CARNEVALE DE VENEZIA

'Carnevale de Venezia' is one of the oldest and most celebrated festivity here in Venice Italy. An internationally known event highlighted by masquerades where exquisite masks and costumes are worn in display by tourists and locals alike. The celebration starts on the Friday two weeks before Ash Wednesday up until Tuesday (known as Martedi Grasso) which specific dates varies in step with the Easter. For this year, Canival 2008 is from January 25 to February 5 and Carnival 2009 is from February 13 to 24. Showcases of the said dressing up as well as programs in lined with the event are held mostly at the Piazza San Marco .

This yearly event evolved from the religious practice of fasting for Lent that could be traced back during the 14th Century. "Farewell, meat!" ('carnival' in Latin) was the original concept of this merriment. Before Ash Wednesday and the start for the people to fast - meat, butter and eggs are all to be consumed. This religious practice became an excuse for parties and encouraged pagan activities. Then the Catholic church injecting religion, allowed an equally period of celebration from Twelfth Night until the midnight of Shrove Tuesday.

Today's modern Carnevale having the "Sensation: 6 sense for 6 sestieri(districts)", as the theme this year, had Rapper Coolio for the IL VOLO DELL'ANGELO, or the The flight of the Angel from the bell tower of the 'basilica' in San Marco. Instead of the usual Thursday before lent as the day for the VOLO(flight), it was anticipated last Sunday, 27th of January.


Private Gala dinners, grand ball, poetry reading and theater plays are also organized by different organizations making this month as the start of business establishments to pick up from the slow input during the winter. Portale di Venezia has the calendar of events HERE:

"Mardi(Martedi) di grasso"(Tuesday of fats) is the conclusion of the 2 weeks 'Carnevale'. Its a day of fat foods such as pork, sausages and the famous 'fritelli'(fried dough with raisins, nuts and cream(optional) sprinkled with confectionary sugar). This day at San Marco Square, the'liston' or obligatory walk is the last time to show off the best masks. It is also the wildest and happiest of the whole carnival period where in greatest acts of lunacy are saved for this day. Sometimes it is inadvisable to bring the kids to this closing event, the crowd could get wild taking advantage of their last day of freedom. An enormous effigy wearing mask is also burned at the Square and people will chant - "It's going, it's going, the carnival is going"....

LA BEFANA 2008

Tonight our neighborhood has that smell I am very much familiar with. A saying goes, "if there's smoke, there's fire", which for us Cordillerans say it better with, "if there's smoke, there is cañao". Italians too have their eidetic image of this which is " where there's smoke, its the burning of the 'Befana' ".

'La Befana', as the old legend recounts, is the old witch who once welcomed The Three Kings in her home as they were on their way to see baby Jesus. Before the three guest left, they invited her to go with them but she declined for reasons she still has a lot of chores to do. "Change of heart" according to one of the article I've read as I was researching for this piece, made the Befana change her mind and tried to catch up in joining the Three Kings. She never found the Wise Men nor Baby Jesus. So, till this day she still goes flying around on his broom but leaves sweets, toys and nice gifts to good children and coal to those who are bad. (For more about Befana(origin, full story, history etc...) , click HERE and HERE.)

The night before the Epiphany or the 5th of January, to mark the end of the Yuletide festivities and Befana celebration is the burning of this, scary black clothed with long nose old lady. An effigy of the witch which is burned in observance of the Italian's tradition to turning the bad things from the old year into ashes and pave way for the best new things to come.

Cavallino Treporti Witch

Every year our place Cavallino and it's neighboring communities make this event bigger and more spectacular. Stalls serving wines and Panettone are also found along side and sometimes they sell barbecues or stakes. While the witch is on fire, fire crackers are also being lit.

These are some photos of the 'Befanas' we took the other day before they got torched last night.

Ca'Ballarin Witch

Ca'Pascuali Befana

January 6, on Epiphany day, the children will know if they've been good by "unloading" the sock the old witch had left them during the night. For my boys they opened it earlier.

Last year, Lukie went with my husband and our son still vividly remembers what they did that night. For him, it was a tradition that after seeing the Befana's torching would be a take home fries and pizza spree. To our dismay, it rained so we were not able to go and see the ceremony we've been expecting to attend. That is why I let them open their sock of goodies ahead of time.

After dinner, Lukie told me if we could go now and watch the burning witch and I told him, "Didn't I tell you we can't go because its raining? Besides, it may be over now". Then he answered, "Oh, how about the pizza then?" When he already ate a plate of pasta and and his dessert of chocolates and haribos from his 'socky'! Kids!!!

2007 Befana with the Macalele kids

2007 Befana