Market Day

Jedd & Baby Jack

The Dolomite Mountains

Market Day in Aviano

Tuesday Day was Market Day in Aviano & San Quirino - and what a wonderful day it was! Jackets were hardly needed on this balmy 50+ degree sun-shiny day. I actually got a sunburn!

The smell of fresh fish, meats & cheeses filled the air as we walked through the busy outdoor marketplaces in each town. Vince,Trudy,& I walked from Heidi & Jedd's apartment to downtown San Quirino where villagers loaded their bags & bicycle baskets with fresh flowers, fruits & vegetables & plants, baked goods, fresh meats & cheeses,and spices. Leather Italian-made bags, clothing, toys, various pets & supplies, shoes & boots, were also available.

After we met Jedd, Heidi, Colton & Baby Jack, we all stopped for an espresso or cappiccino on the deck of a local restaurant.

While we were there, Colton, Vince, & I enjoyed some "playtime" around a small fountain outside the restaurant!

We then headed for Aviano to another, bigger outdoor market, then enjoyed some (real, honest-to-goodness) Sicilian pizza. Incredibly delicious!

Some of my favorite scenes are the quaint narrow streets in the small villages that seem to be unchanged for centuries except for the occasional road sign or traffic light. On the road, there is hardly enough space for two cars to pass, and the sidewalks only are wide enough for one person to walk at a time. I hope to design a quilt showing one of these avenues :-)

Many older homes have a wall right along the street with a gated driveway. Inside, they have a yard and often flower & vegetable gardens within. These homes are traditionally passed on from one generation to another. It is rare to see a real estate sign!

As soon as it is warm enough, most residents traditionally line their windowsills with blooming plants which adds to the romance and captivating atmosphere here.

You definitely get caught up in the "flavor" of Italy!

Most villages have a well-kept shrine located in a central area. Fresh flowers and incense are put there daily. Lovely! There are some older properties that have not been renovated in a long time. Notice the glass-enclosed shrine attached to the upper wall of this older residence.

We hope to visit Mirano, near Venice, in the next couple of days. Mirano is known for its beautiful glass. Also, Salzberg is on our list for next week! Join me in a day or two for more highlights :-)