uh-oh - a broken tooth requires some emergency dental work
our english speaking landlady consulted to make an appointment
and so a visit to the town of fiano romano about 20 minutes away
the usual check of trip adviser for what else we can do while there
not much it seems - so expectations are low as we cruise into town
we park the car with plenty of time to spare for the reconnaissance
walk up a cobblestone ramp and through an archway to the old town
and immediately - oh wow - this looks really neat - in both senses
there's a large square with various large buildings surrounding it
some with flags draped that add a vibrancy to the sterile exteriors
there's a few people around but we're now used to quiet towns
especially mid afternoon when most shops close for siesta time
we honour the time and quietly wander around the small lanes
an immediate impression that the people here are proud residents
it's all so neat and tidy with perfectly clean streets and houses
cobblestones gleaming and any decayed brickwork brushed clean
it looks to me like this place is ready for a tidy-town competition
and the predominance of pastel colours makes it all quite alluring
as do the colourful planter boxes and a smiling sun-face fixture
we walk into a small square to see a small stage and seating set up
a notice advising of an arts festival currently running for a month
we agree - a return one evening for some local music would be grand
the local gelateria is open and so we feel obliged to provide business
problems as usual selecting from the huge range of flavours on offer
then quietly sitting and consuming it on this lovely summer afternoon
a waitress from a nearby cafe then provides table served cafe freddos
the contrast to our hectic time in rome the day prior comes to mind
but we cannot dwell too long - we have a dentist to locate and attend
easy done and small town friendliness extends to this business also
the drive home through the narrow lanes now an enjoyable ritual
each trip revealing more of the quiet and simple life in rural italy
similarly living in a small town where nothing is left wanting
we refill our wine bottle and buy some more fresh vegetables
both enjoyed in our now routine early home-cooked dinner
that in turn followed by an established brisk walking circuit
and an early night in preparation for doing it all again - yay...
