Nap time

Back from Cervia on the Adriatic coast.

The Romagnoli certainly do distinguish themselves for simpatia and hospitality. Besides a wonderful stay at the hotel Rosenblatt enveloped by a warm and relaxed atmosphere, one afternoon we got lost and stopped to ask for directions to the Palasport in Cesenatico. The man said "follow me" and accompanied us there over five kilometers away, only to wave and turn back. It was not on his way. "Toto, this is not Rome anymore."

But my cultural moment for the day is about children. There were lots of them in Cervia as it is the nonni season -- the period of the year when grandparents take grandchildren to the sea.

One evening we took a walk in town after dinner and wandered into the main piazza where a show was taking place, I tri pessenti (that is, I tre pezzenti), a comic/singing/playing trio that seemed out of the 1960s. There were a couple of bars open with lots of tables set out and more chairs arranged in rows for the spettacolo. It was about 11:45 pm and everyone knew where there children were -- in the piazza with them. A couple of four-year olds were dancing the night away just under the makeshift stage, babies were banging their hands to the rhythm while strapped their strollers, a group of 8-10-year olds were running around behind the stage playing tag and a gang of pre-adolescents were just hangin' by the wall.

Many of you out there are thinking, "why aren't they all in bed!" Well, they were, from about 2-4:00 in the afternoon. Now they are up and about and from the looks of it having a great time, and so are their grandparents!

Let's just call it "fragmented sleeping time orientation". In the summer months, kids (and their grandparents) sleep in two segments, one from the late night to the morning and the other after lunch.

It seems to work, and sure cuts down on babysitting fees.

a domani,
E

P.S. even the hotel pool was closed from 1:30 to 3:30 to cut down on the noise and facilitate nap time.