A NEW STATE OF MIND  We made a decision to create a new lifestyle in a different place hoping the process would generate new experiences.  This is just one more admission on our part to having a low threshold for boredom and finding new experiences invigorating.  An interesting aspect of new experiences seems to be, it tends to create a new state of mind. By deliberate choice, we came to live in the historic center of a provincial capital town, ‘off the beaten path’ in central Italy.  We chose to live in the older center of a town that has had the fortunate, good sense to consciously preserve the medieval character of the area. An impression that has grown on us is the level of respect the people of Ascoli have for themselves through respect for their cultural heritage.  The path along which the people of Ascoli have travelled through time is for them an immediate, visceral experience in their daily lives. What greets us on a daily basis here in Ascoli Piceno is very different from the American southern California that had previously been home. There is no question preserving the medieval character of Ascoli is an asset to promote tourism.  But the people of Ascoli have long been committed to preserving their cultural heritage well before mass tourism became a reality. It seems that tourism is drawn to experience Italy because of the respect these people have for their long heritage rather than sites like Ascoli being ‘manufactured’ to promote tourism.  This is not ‘theme-park-kitsch.’ This is the real thing far beyond what promotors could have manufactured and in a lot better taste. But Ascoli is also a place in touch with modern technology.  The already ample street lighting in Ascoli Piceno is in the final stages of being replaced by highly energy-efficient LED elements being installed in the existing, medieval appearing street lighting lanterns. Fiber-optic communication infrastructure is also in process of installation while preserving the historic character of the pavement. Beginning to feel at home in a cultural environment different than your own does not happen overnight. I don’t think either one of us would try and pretend we are at that point just yet. ...

This year, we celebrated Arlene’s birthday in January by enjoying an extended weekend in Paris. We flew from Rome to Paris-Orly and stayed in a small hotel footsteps off the Rue Cler in the 7th.  The atmosphere was traditional Parisian residential with specialty food shops, cafe’s, small restaurants plus a short walk to the Eiffel Tower.  January in Paris is bound to be ‘seasonal’ but the over riding benefit is being tourist low season.  Paris is an under two hour flight from Rome and budget air connections make the wonderful experience very attractive. Gran Palais and Champs Elyseess Eiffel Tower in the clouds Eiffel Tower from Champs de Mars Eiffel Tower and birthday celebrant Eiffel Tower base Louvre pyramids at damp dusk Louvre pyramid stair Louvre pyramid stair study From Louvre pyramid – old plus the new Louvre pyramid entrance La Gioconda behind bullet proof glass Picasso at the Louvre Venus d’ Milo Diana the huntress Psyche and Cupid Louvre interior Notre Dame Notre Dame Interior Notre Dame Rose Window Notre Dame nativity Notre Dame Nativity Nativity detail Notre Dame exterior nativity Paris restaurant nativity San Sulpice Altar San Sulpice Sunday organ concert San Sulpice organ Rue Cler Cheese vendor Sunday bird market Sunday bird market...