Moon and Star

I didn't get much definition in this photo, but I sure like the colors.

A Slice of Adriatic Sea

I realise I've been posting a lot of shots of the sea lately. It is awfully pretty, though, you must admit. And this is the time of year when I start getting tired of winter and wishing summer (read beach season!) were here.

Not that I should complain...we hardly have what many of you would consider a "real" winter with real cold, snow drifts, ice storms or anything like that. But for us here in Molfetta, these temperatures feel cold and I, for one, am getting tired of the winter coat and wool sweaters.

Weeds

This photo was taken from the same spot as yesterday's, but looking to the left of the road that winds down to the sea. You can see the remains of an old dry-stone wall to the right and in the background an abandoned stone house.

To the Sea

An unpaved road leading down to a beach on the sea between Molfetta and Giovinazzo.

Fat Tuesday

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Molfetta Carnival Festival. A parade was held on Sunday and a repeat show will take place this afternoon at 3p.m. There are four of these large floats made of papier-mache by Molfettan craftsmen, collaborating for the first time this year with the float-makers of Putignano (an Apulian town where Italy's oldest Carnival festival is held). Denny Mendez (Miss Italy 1996) will be presenting the parade today. After the parade a Fat Tuesday party will be held in the basketball arena with music, dancing and an appearance by the Cuban singer Miguel Enriquez.

Every town that holds a Carnival festival has its own carnival character. In Molfetta we have "U Toeme." I'm sorry I don't have a photo of him for you, but basically he looks like a scarecrow stuffed with newspaper and straw. He lies dead on a cart pulled by hand, surrounded by mourners, because his is a funeral procession. He represents the Carnival itself and is the very last float in the parade, symbolising the end of the festivities. At the end of the parade he is burned.

King Henry

This weekend was the peak of Carnival festivities. The Carnival "season" begins January 7 and then continues until Fat Tuesday, the day before the beginning of Lent. This can be a longer or shorter period of time depending on when Easter falls each year.

During the entire season you will see children out and about dressed up in costumes as princesses, animals, popular cartoon characters, Zorro, etc. They run around city parks throwing confetti and streamers and spraying colored goop and stink bombs. For an American like me, it seems like a fantastic, extended Halloween.

These last few days of Carnival are celebrated around Italy with parades including elaborate floats, often with themes of political satire, and costumed groups that may sing and/or dance. There are also carnival balls, usually organised for children, but not only. One of the largest and oldest Carnival celebrations in Italy is held in Putignano, right here in Apulia.

Since I have low tolerance for both crowds and cold weather (two essential elements of outdoor Carnival events), I organised a party at home this year. King Henry is featured in the photo above, if you'd like to see the rest of us, check out my blog Amid the Olive Trees (on side bar).

On the Street

I have rather mixed feelings about posting this photo. Gypsies and other people who ask for money are an everyday sight throughout this area. In Molfetta they set themselves up at the large intersections around town and ask for a handout from every car stuck at the red light. You will also find them sitting on the ground outside the larger supermarkets, usually with a small child. So, this is a reality here and my blog portrays the reality of life in Molfetta, so why not?

But, the whole issue of beggars on the streets is complicated. A large number of them, like the Gypsies, choose this as a lifestyle, and I find that hard to support. But, others are really down on their luck and could use a hand. How to distinguish the two?

I believe this man was Russian because when I asked him if I could take his picture he replied, "Da" and he didn't understand me when I tried to make conversation. His cardboard sign says,

"Please help me. I am 73 years old. Give me something because I have problems with my head, feet and heart. I do not have a house. Give me something for food and medicines."