Living in San Giorgio di Pesaro and Kingston

The Institute of Statistics estimates that in 2008 the population of Italy will have passed the 60 million mark. With low birth rates among Italians migration has played a major part in Italy reaching this total. Obiously, Bill and I are happy to have helped the country reach this milestone.

It also has helped that the fertility rate among immigrants is higher than that of the local population. Going against the tide once we have maintained our fertility levels well below that of the local population.

Last Friday there was a town meeting to discuss the future of the schools in San Giorgio. Currently there is a primary and an intermediate school. Falling pupil numbers have raised concerns about the viability of both schools. Piagge the nearest town has a primary school with even lower pupil numbers than San Giorgio. Proposals to combine the schools have been made in the past and are being made again but coming to a decision is problematic as no village wants to give up its school and so feel moribund.

One proposed solution was to have the first three years of primary school at Piagge and to have years 4 and 5 of primary and the first three years of Intermediate at San Giorgio. This, to me, rather obvious solution was not immediately adopted. Infact, suggestions were made that a new school, half way between the two villages should be built. No thought about finance requirements in this solution, only emotional reasons.

The problem is further complicated by the fact that both towns come under different educational boards. This administrative issue would have to be resolved before the idea of a San Giorgio/Piagge merger could go ahead.

Today was carnival day in San Giorgio. The theme of this year’s parade was Ancient Rome. The floats were inspired by the civilisations of Rome, Egypt and Barbarian i.e. vikings. Local schools and groups provided plenty of colour and pagentry for the occasion.

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I have begun to give some English lessons to a few 15 year olds. They are keen footballers and play for the “San Giorgio Allievi”  (the under 16s). Two weeks ago they celebrated their first victory and first 3 points of the season. However, the one swallow didn’t make a Summer and last week they returned to form losing 10-0 to San Andrea. Their 3 points puts them at the bottom of the league. Perhaps the English lessons are having an effect and they are realising that it’s not the winning that’s important but taking part.

Two days ago we had snow again in San Giorgio. Another winter wonderland. It did not stop the intrepid Englishman who went for his”three times a week” 5 km walk.

For those of us who do not take 5 km walks it was possible to stand at the back door and watch the birds eating the remaining olives on the tree. It was possible until a hawk swooped down and tried to grab a bird. It missed but the birds decided to find somewhere safer.

p.s. just to the right of Bill you can see part of a modern sculpture presented to us last year by up and coming artist “Mike Asente & son”.

We normally meet Federica (telephone sales) and Roberta (English teacher) on Friday at 6.00 for an hour’s English conversation. They both use English at work and had wanted an opportunity to talk with native speakers. What started out as an “English Conversation Class” has become a very pleasant way to wile away an hour or so over a cup of tea, a slice of cake and a chat.

This week Friday wasn’t possible so we met on Saturday afternoon and they took us for afternoon tea in the Caffe del Pasticciere in Fano. It is just outside the centre of Fano in the middle of a small group of shops. The area is a bit unprepossessing but the cafe itself is very elegant and it is famous in Fano for its cakes. We ordered our coffees and teas and then went to select our pastries and biscuits. When we returned the drinks had arrived but also plates of biscuits, which, unknown to us, are given out with the drinks. Two minutes later the pastries and biscuits we had ordered also arrived at the table. It seemed a lot of food and we  didn’t think we would be able to eat them all. But somehow we managed most of them.