And so, dear readers, this brings us to the current day. Ensconced on the side of a mountain in Guardiaregia, I have weathered a hurricane (was worried about trees falling on the car), figured out the garbage pick-up system (it won’t get picked up if I put it in the wrong spot), scoped out where to buy my groceries (I can only get some items at some stores), and determined which roads are drivable and not goat trails (although this is an ongoing process).
I have had to deal with the sink that leaks into the washing machine, and how to work the washing machine, and – because of the lack of a clothes dryer – clothes that takes 2-3 days to dry, and a slowly darkening house as, one by one, the light bulbs burn out, and dogs that bark until 3:30 am on some days and start barking at 3:30 am on others. I have had been cut off from the outside world due to lack of both internet access and cell phone service an several occasions. I have spent one entire Sunday driving 2.5 hours to Rome, getting on an airplane, flying to Dublin, and flying back just to get the much needed stamp in my passport to start my time in Italy. I have had E. coli poisoning when the aquifer servicing the old town was contaminated (still not sure if it is safe to drink the water).
I have still a couple more weeks to be here before my 45 days are up and I am free to leave. Olaf will join me in 10 days, and I am so much looking forward to having company…misery loves company.