Two Businesses in One Building

Molfetta has a large industrial park full of offices and factories producing a wide variety of products and services, from dog food to building materials to hi-tech waste management, you name it.

This building houses two successful local companies. On the far side are the offices of Fimesan, one of the top medical software companies in Italy, recently bought out by the German Compugroup. On the side of the building facing us, the offices of Ciccolella (click here for more info), one of the top flower producers and distributors in Europe.

Epiphany

In the Catholic tradition January 6 is the day that the three kings arrived with their gifts for the baby Jesus. It is a national holiday here in Italy and my son and I celebrated it by going to the Kismet Theatre in Bari to see a production of Hansel and Gretel.


The entryway into the theatre was decorated like a path through a dark forest and we had to pass through a dark and lonely cabin to find our seats. This is the same production of Hansel and Gretel that we saw last summer in Molfetta at the Ti Fiabo e Ti Racconto Children's Theater Festival (for a photo of the set, click here), and it was definitely worth seeing another time.



After the show hot chocolate and sweet buns were served outside the theater around a large bonfire, and three three kings arrived.


These kings were created by children in a creative laboratory held on the morning of the 6th and were manipulated by the children themselves by means of long poles.

A Flock of Seagulls

Hordes of seagulls crowded the skies over Molfetta's industrial park yesterday. Unfortunately, I think they are attracted by the large quantities of garbage that are spread out around the area. It was not easy to get a good shot of these white and grey birds against the white and grey sky, but they were lined up nicely here on this hydromechanical services company sign.

Famila Supermarket Parking Lot

While the new Famila supermarket is spacious on the inside, the parking lot is rather cramped and small. I'm afraid that many non-Italians might have a hard time parking in the tiny spaces provided. As my father says every time he comes over from the US to visit, "Italians have a different concept of space!" These spots are just big enough for the compact cars, but not quite wide enough for your SUVs. Not to mention the one family in town that drives around in a Hummer. Yes, we have one Hummer in Molfetta! I'll have to get a picture of that for you somehow...

Famila Supermarket

This Famila supermarket just opened last month. It is a big, American-size supermarket with a vast selection of products and wide aisles, bright lights and an excellent heating system. Quite different from the usual Molfettan supermarkets, which tend to remind me of mole tunnels, as they are poorly lit, with narrow maze-like aisles and are often actually located underground! Needless to say, I'm a fan of this new Famila store.

Winter Crocus

This lovely flower is blooming in my garden right now.

Happy New Year 2010

Best wishes for a frothy, bubbly year of prosperity and joy!