As always we have been kept very busy during the bad weather we have been stuck in the office promoting the Fast Internet Services and poor Richard has had to travel all over the place. He even did a day trip to Rome. So we were both looking forward to last night – Carnival Night. Richard had been before but I had always stayed at home, preferring the log fire and TV.
I must say that this can happen when you live in a different country you can get a little blind to what is actually going on around you, but this year I made a New Years Resolution that it was going to be our year for us and having fun was top of the list. So despite the weather the sub zero temperatures (at Sensone) we were going to go to the Carnival.
So although the weather was a little grim when we left the house we headed off to Lorenzo’s (Bar Sosta dei Diavalo) for an intimate dinner with friends (stinco my favorite). We as always were running a little late and when we arrived the whole bar went silent and looked at us rather strangely but it must have been our attire we had made a small effort in dressing up.
Dinner was good but at this end of town there was no evidence of the carnival spirit but Richard assured me that I wouldn’t be disappointed so around ten thirty we left Lorenzo’s and headed off to Paolo Gas were there is always a party atmosphere.
Paolo was dressed up and although the bar wasn’t that busy the gazebo was pumping. You could hear the music right at the other end of the car park, the lights flickering on and off there was a real nightclub kind of atmosphere. However, and I am sorry Paolo I have to say, when we entered the gazebo we felt like we were at an end of year prom night, there were some great costumes but I would hated to have guess the average age group and all of the people our age were standing out in the car park looking on under umbrella’s.
So for me it wasn’t quite what I expected so we went in giro, people passed by in costume but the streets were still a little quiet. That was until we went to Scacciaguai, it was were the carnival was happening, we had “Her Mag” (Our Queen), Elvis was in the building, there were Kings and Queens, Snow White, Lego men and more.
We ended staying there for the rest of the evening, we left around two o’clock but the party was still happening. I have been saying for a while that Barga had changed, that the fun was somehow missing. I have to say I was wrong, we have to open our eyes, we have to support these events. But not just support them actively take part other wise we will only become a self fulfilling prophecy.
Where were all the English/ExPats there absence was noted, other than Nick who is really more of an Italian than an ExPat we didn’t see anyone else. What a shame because you missed a really good night, one that I look forward to partaking in next year. Well done to all the people who made the effort your costumes where amazing and I now understand that it wasn’t Barga that had changed it was me.
But maybe that is what living up a mountain does to you. When the weather is cold you batten down the hatches and have a duvet day in front of the TV.
But for me not anymore, I am going to help put the FUN back in Barga.
Article by Sensone