Chatting with one of our more elderly residents he said that she would soon be PPC. Asking her what she meant she said the initials stood for “Pronto Per Cimetero” (Ready for Cemetery).
Archive for the ‘Life’ Category
Are you PPC?
Thursday, January 29th, 2009Goodbye corset
Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 |
After nearly 3 months I can put the busto (corset) away in the cupboard. I am now offically corset free and have only to begin swimming to strengthen my back muscles. But before I put it away for good I thought you might like to see what it looks like. It had the great advantage of keeping the back straight but the bottom support pushed the stomach out and so it was not the most flattering of wear. Glad to see it go. |
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Friday, January 23rd, 2009 |
Last night went to see the film “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”. The film is full of special effects and the plot is not that important so it is a good film for us to see. I was able to follow most of the conversational dialogue but lost it when there were action scenes e.g. being eaten by giant venus fly traps, chased by dinasaurs etc. As these action scenes happened quite often I just sat back and enjoyed the action. The film was in 3 D and worked really well, particularly when things were happening at normal speed. There was a really good sequence when they blew on a giant dandelion seed head and all the seeds began to float away and they seemed to be coming towards me. |
At this point the film stopped, lights went on and the interval started. Yes, films have intervals. No one knows how long the interval lasts, sometimes 2 minutes sometimes 5. But one thing is certain. They will stop the film in the middle of a good scene from the film and when it restarts you miss a few seconds of the action.
The cinema has just been refurbished and it is very comfortable. 7.50 euros to get in plus 1.00 euro for the 3D glasses. Packet of M&Ms 3.50 euro.
A step back in time
Sunday, January 18th, 2009Went for the lunch to celebrate San Antonio’s day. A good time was had by all. Eating began at 1.00 and finished at 4.30, followed by dancing and bingo. Dancing was “ballo liscio” i.e. ballroom. Most people on the floor were of a certain age and one seemed to have been transported back to the 50s. Most couples moved sedately round the floor but the occasional one or two would show off with a few quick twirls or dips. However the past and present went together as at one end of the large dining room was the group singing Italian ballads with couples sweeping round the floor and at the other end was a giant television screen showing Italian Football. The music and football stopped for a game of bingo with hampers of meat for the winners. Bingo is very popular here and prizes are given for the person who gets 2 numbers in a row, 3 numbers in a row, 4 numbers in a row, 5 numbers in a row, 10 numbers on two lines and the full card. Despite the game have been played countless times there are always problems with deciding the exact rules and whether someone with 2 numbers can include these two numbers to claim the 3 numbers. When someone claims to have won the checking process is eagerly followed and there are shouts of joy if the person doesn’t have the correct numbers. Once again I maintained my unbroken run of never having won in a game of bingo.
Saint Antonio Abate
Saturday, January 17th, 2009 |
Today is the feast of Saint Antonio Abate. He lived in the 3rd century AD and is the patron saint of domestic animals. In some parts of Italy the day is celebrated with bonfires but here in San Giorgio it will be a special mass today but tomorrow at a local restaurant there is a special lunch in honour of the saint. The menu will be: Primi: lasagna; gnocchi with duck sauce Secondi: roast beef and roast pork Dolce: choice All this plus wine for 25 euros. |
More useful vocabulary in hospital
Friday, January 16th, 2009Controllo Check-up
Impegnativa Referral form from doctor to hospital
Lastra X-ray
Cassa Cash desk
Ticket If not exempt you pay a treatment fee – the ticket
Yesterday I went for my check-up “controllo” to the hospital. I had the “impegnativa” from the doctor and went to the Radiology Department as I needed to get an x-ray “lastra” before going to see the orthopedic consultant.. After some queuing I was registered, given a number and told that I now had to go to the “cassa” with my impegnativa, join the queue and pay the treatment fee. (more…)
Useful vocabulary when in hospital
Sunday, January 4th, 2009Pappagallo: parrot or urine bottle
Padella: pan or bed pan
These are two useful Italian phrases when you are stuck in an Italian hospital. You learn the phrase “pappagallo, per favore” quite quickly. You try to avoid saying “Padella, per favore”. But when you are on your back in an Italian hospital for 12 days then sooner or later you ring the bell and when the nurse arrives you say it. (more…)