The 'Old Folks Circle'
Yesterday was the start of our fortnightly Old Folks Circle in the village for this coming winter. The meetings are 'shelved' during the summer months as many of the members (despite their advanced ages) work on the land and help with their men with the animals during the sumer months. But the 'old ones' - those over about 80 (!) - usually go up to their mountain 'baita' - which are little places that they own on some land they have in the local mountains, rather like the one here on the left. They will stay up ther usually from mid June to perhaps the end of September. In the cool and often acting as goatherds and shepherds to help out. They do also make cheeses while up there and often their families will collect these and come and sell them 'door to door'. Honestly - until you've tasted their fresh ricotta's and caprini's you really haven't tasted real cheese!
So yesterday we all (21 of us) met up again after the summer. There were home made cakes provided for us and Don Silvano the local priest said prayers for those lost during the two world wars.....
And then a real surprise - some of the ladies decided they wanted to sing..... my first thought was "Oh dear" (how uncharitable could I be?) But 'joy of joys' when they started singing - it was a selection of alpine songs. Now I adore the 'alpine choirs' that abound around this area - and despite their age that is exactly what they sounded like.... their harmonies were superb and instead of just the hour they did sing - I could have stayed there and listened all night!
They sung my favourite 'Alipini' hymn - 'La Montanara' this is normally sung by soldiers, but our senior citizens yesterday were just as good - if not better!!!!
posted by Carole B @ 5:14 PM
6 Comments:
Sounds like a fun time Carole! It must be nice to have a large group of friends like that.
Hope you are well. Ready for the winter up there?
Cyn
Thanks Cyndi....yes it was fun - but not as much as you had with 'Carlos' (LOL).
Yes I s'pose we are as ready as you can be be for the onset of winter - especially when you live in the mountains. But it doesn't worry me in the least - in fact I'm looking forward to it. Bring on the snow!
Gòad to see that you had a good time 'back in the States'. Can't say 'back home' because you are - Here!
Carole, I've just recently found your blog and am really enjoying it.
The reason I chose this entry to post a comment on is that I, too, love La Montanara. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes.
My family is from the Val di Non in Trentino so it is in my blood. To hear a Coro sing La Montanara gives me chills.
Anyway, hope your torrente has subsided. Tanti auguri e buone feste!
Thank you so much for your comments Annie m....and for joining me on my (sometimes erratic) journey through life as an Alpine Settler.
I'm curious how you found my blog, but you are very welcome to 'come sit awhile and rest'!
Carole, I'm frequently on the SlowTrav website (reading and posting) and, through ST, I found expatsinitaly (and then I found you - being a Trentina, how could I resist a blog named "Alpine Settler?")
My husband and I visit Italy as often as we can (especially to see my family in Trentino) and I always feel that I leave a part of my heart in Italy when I have to return to New York.
Reading the blogs of folks (particularly Americans) living in Italy fulfills my longing for Italy.
Thanks for the Italy-fix! :)
In searching for traditional lombardian christmas recipes I came across you!
My mother was born in Piussogno/Cercino
are you anywhere near there
I will be again going to visit
my relatives
in March-June 2007
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