The "SAFE" way to dispose of Medicines

Safe Medicine Drop Boxes with Medicines Left on Top

Italy encourages the safe disposal of used syringes and leftover or expired medicines. And I think this is a truly GREAT initiative, because a careless toss into the trashcan may enable unsuspecting children to help themselves. Just a few pills could be fatal.

Of course, keeping valid medicines out of the reach of children in the home is also important. To do that, there are inexpensive ways to prevent tragedy. With my daughter's love for cough syrup and all things sweet, I am now looking into this secured lock box at Amazon for less than twenty dollars.

But to encourage the protection of little ones outside the home, some pharmacies and supermarkets in Treviso provide bins where one can safely dispose of unwanted medicines. That's why tonight as my wife and I were entering the doors of PAM (a supermarket here in Centro Storico) with our two small children, I couldn't help but notice (and photograph) the overflowing "Safe Medicine Deposit" bins intended to keep dangerous pharmaceuticals out of the reach of children. Notice the "deposited" boxes of pills ON TOP OF the bins (click the pic to enlarge).

Doesn't this completely defeat the purpose and make it more accessible than if they put it all into the big, hard-to-open dumpster just outside the store here? I don't get it....

Achieving Crown Status when Illegally Parking

One of the more recently discovered Treviso parking champions.

Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to demonstrate how to achieve crown status when parking illegally. With practice, you too can learn to create the highest levels of inconvenience and danger with a single maneuver.

Like this individual, you must target both pedestrians and automobiles, while insulting the general public's sense of "neighborliness." In other words, your parking job must communicate "I don't care about you or anyone else!" as clearly as possible.

Note the following 3 points for which this person scores well.

1. Park directly on a crosswalk so pedestrians need to leave the "safety zone" and go around the car. If they cross on the front side of the car, oncoming vehicles will not see them until they are about halfway into the street.
2. Protrude well into the street rather than onto the sidewalk, a feature oncoming drivers love.
3. Select a notorious blind spot, such as in the bend of this road. This assures that approaching traffic wont see the vehicle until last minute, thereby making it just a tad more dangerous.

I wonder how many of these sorts of violations I can capture in one year? Seems these days there is  no shortage of material to photograph. =)

Semi Snow Day...We're Happy!

Well, it was a good thing the kids got to experience the snow a little yesterday evening with Mamma, because this morning we raced to beat the melting white stuff!

I took them out back in the owner's employee parking lot for some sled riding and ended up slipping and becoming one with the ground. Because the snow was so powdery and light, my knee when right into the choppy loose gravel underneath. Let me tell you, THAT got my endorphins flowing. Now it's just swollen with a nice dull throbbing.

As expected, got about 3 inches. And, as predicted, it's almost all melted already (Saturday 3:00 PM local time). But alas,  there's hope of yet another delivery...tonight. Stay tuned....(Click the Pics to Enlarge)

In the back parking lot creating a little fun.

La Riviera Trevisana.

Piazza Universita' along - Shop Street

Piazza Universita; by the waterway

The river along our street

A neighbor's snow shrub fence.

One of the trees along the wall on our street. River is on right.

Matea happier to pull her sled than be pulled in it. Go figure!

Treviso Dressed in White...Almost!

Our Street

(Don't forget to Click the Pics)

To our friends and family in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Canada, Kosovo, Serbia (yes, even Raleigh NC) and any other place that is getting SERIOUS snow fall, you know who you are. Don't mock us! The snow has basically just started.

Besides, we here in Treviso are thankful for whatever we can get...it's that rare! By tomorrow all this will likely be gone, or it will have melted and turned to ice already.

If we get a few inches, that will be a real treat, and I'll be back for sure with more pics to share.

Until then, enjoy Treviso in the snow...

Cars coming in at the city's main entrance

Piazza Giustinian on left, Hotel Continental ahead

I call this Dry Cleaner's Street because his chemical exhaust nearly fills it!

Treviso Double Parking

Right outside our house, typical discourteous double-parking. We were on foot, but my downstairs neighbor wasn't so happy when he couldn't pull up to his driveway. No, the car was not left running. Those reflectors on the bumper are glaring from my flash, as is the license plate. Parking in the city can be summarized as follows: If your car fits, you need the space and no one is looking, park it!

Matching Dents

Today's hunt for a new set of scooters to gift the kids this Christmas ended with a new set of dents and scratches on our Kia's door. Had been wondering how long it would be until we got a match for the driver's side. The passenger's side needed company. Now we can ride in STYLE! Still missing some fuzzy dice though.

No, we weren't driving the car when it happened. Weren't even present. It was just another pagliaccio al parcheggio in the Centro Commerciale Tiziano. Left no note, only a 1.5 foot push-and-scrape signature across the side. We've learned to expect this kind of thing. Besides, it's just metal and, one day, it will all burn anyway.

Treviso by Night

It's that festive time of year when beautiful places become especially enchanting at night. For your enjoyment, here are just a few pictures of Treviso after dark. Click on them to enlarge and see detail.

By the way, our city Christmas tree (below) was in the news for being the tallest in Italy, second only to the Vatican who wins for number one. Both trees come from the same distributor. Yes, our city administration has connections! But we suspect that because of the heavy rain on the day of delivery (last Tuesday), the tree suffered with a second-rate decoration effort. Calling off the rain that we'd been lamenting about these days was one thing the Lega Nord couldn't do. The tree's still missing the gorgeous ornaments it had last year. Either running late or budget cuts. 

Italy's Second Tallest Christmas Tree is in Treviso

On the way to Piazza dei Signori, the main square in the city where all the magic happens and our mega Christmas tree proudly stands, I snapped shots whenever I saw something I thought worth capturing. Below is the distinguished Coin with its illuminated flakes. From a distance they seem suspended in air.

Famous Coin with their Christmas time Snow Flakes

This Santa below would have been better off sipping on warm milk with cookies instead of the one-too-many Vin Brule from the kiosk just behind him. His cheeks and nose were especially rosey. I knew we were in trouble when he swished the wine around in his mouth, and instead of a "ho ho hoo" let out an ominous laugh and then scooped up the kids near him. Matea cried and clung to my leg like a Koala bear to a tree. To get him back, I considered snapping off a piece of Rudolph's antler. Decided not to. But when I asked Matea what was the matter, she answered between gasps and tears, "I don't want to go to that Santa!" 

Scary Santa made Matea Cry

This next one is neither illuminated at night nor a part of the city. Well, it is in a certain way. Tiramisu was born right here in our little Treviso. And once you've had the real thing here, nothing else will do. We've had our share over the years, and this one was definitely among the best I've tried. Perfectly light and moist with just the right amount of cocoa powder on top, which made my wife gag when she breathed it in (never breath through your mouth when eating Tiramisu). By the way, did you know the name means "Pick me Up?" It's appropriate when you consider the cake gets soaked in real espresso! Tiramisu is a true taste of Treviso. If you're nice to me, I'll tell you where to find the good stuff.

One of the best Tiramisu I've had to date in Treviso!

This following shot gives you another little taste of Treviso the way it is on EVERY weekend. The streets fill up and cars basically stop circulating. The best I can describe it is a river of people. It's so packed in some parts that walking with little ones can be a chore! 

Treviso for a Sunday Evening Stroll

Another really packed sidewalk, which is why most people take to the streets. Sidewalks at this time during the weekend offer nothing but window shopping. Impractical for movement.

Busy sidewalk

 Here is simply one of the many kiosks around the city. This one is selling Christmas paraphernalia. 

Kiosk Shoppers

Cafe Hausbrandt looks inviting. Hot chocolate in the cafes here is like hot pudding. It's REALLY good!

Cafe Hausbrandt

This one below.....no comment. I wonder if they actually know what this means in our language?

A Christmas with gas

Very colorful image at night from a local coffee bar

Here's one that, well, it just illuminates EXPENSIVE. But just in case one fails to discern the high price tag from the display window, the door makes it clear with the collage of credit card adverts.

Treviso has high end goods with high price tags

At first, the photo below may seem unimpressive. But if you consider that the large leather bag on the bottom is standing next to standard-sized briefs, you will understand how big it is. It's the largest leather handbag I've EVER seen. It's just about big enough to carry all the cash you would need to buy it.

Large and VERY beautiful leather hand bag

Well, that's it. Hope you enjoyed Treviso after dark! And if you don't come back before December 25, have a blessed Christmas!

Oil and Water

A few days ago we had an oil spill (not extra virgin) right here in Centro Storico, just outside the wall actually. It was serious enough to create bonafide chaos as the police needed to block off various key arteries into and out of the city. It was incredible to see how far the ripple effect traveled, all the way down to the tangenziale that takes you to the Autostrada. I didn't have my camera with me, which is a shame because it would have made quite a picture. If I hadn't been running so tight for an English lesson, I'd have gone back out to take videos too. The action was just around the corner from my house. It could have been a fatal disaster for local drivers (and they don't need any extra help with that) but thankfully no one was hurt on the road.

And today it is l'immacolata in Italy, a national holiday celebrating the Virgin Mary's conception of Christ. That means nothing is open, except for the flood gates of heaven. No, it's not raining again. It hasn't STOPPED raining. And our little Italian terrace is starting to grow moss under the layer of rainwater that hasn't had a chance to dry with all these weeks of downpour. By Spring, we should have a nice green putting range out there. Just need to drill a hole in the tiles for the golf ball. I am sure that would drain the water too.

Flooding has been a serious problem in the region these days, so I pray it doesn't displace anyone again or create so many disaggi. But at least we know we're making history. No locals seem able to recall the last time this much rain has uninterruptedly pelted the cobblestone streets of Treviso.