SAN GUISTO: A DAY ALONE IN TRIESTE, AND UNIDENTIFIED ANCIENT OBJECTS

Friday 3^rd October

After Quinn’s absolutely sensational tantrum in Enrico’s car, we thought it was a good idea for the children to have a rest in Izola with dad, and I would go into Trieste, do some journal work and hang out with Chiara, Enrico and Francesco; and of course buy some shoes – good Italian ones – we are in Italy after all. There was a museum that I had spotted earlier and was keen to check out. Chiara and I felt like school girls as we pressed the buzzer for the museum. At first it looked as if we were the only ones there. The little man that ran the museum was such a quintessential nerd I almost thought we had slipped onto the set of a dubbed American teen movie.

The museum was devoted to Egyptian and Ancient Roman artifacts. Firstly, outside under the cover of a shed where no self-respecting stereotyped Australian man would even keep a Holden; there were artifacts which were from – don’t know – most weren’t marked and the ones that were, were in Italian and even Chiara found these difficult to understand.

And this was the basic theme throughout the museum – amazing artifacts, uncertain origin, and slapdash care. I would like to find out if this is common practice in provincial Europe; it could make a great documentary for an Australian audience. It was pretty shocking to be able to touch or even accidentally sit on an ancient Egyptian sarchopogus, or run a hand or bright flash over something from Pompeii or Roman Empire.

After the museum we had a quick visit to San Guisto Castle, which has very recently been renovated and has been closed for the passed three years. It was a little clinical and bare but a medieval castle none the less and nothing to be scoffed at!

This visit to Italy was my first real chance to spend some time with Chiara and it has been something to treasure. A strong bond exists between our families; Enrico and mine. First my Nonna and Enrico’s grandmother’s sister Rita and grandmother Gilleiloa are friends; then my mother and Enrico’s mother Marina are friends – she cried when she saw me because of my resemblance to my mother; and Niv and Cynthia and I are friends with Enrico and Chiara and now the children Iggy and Quinn and no doubt Delta, will build a friendship with baby Francesco keeping alive a link between our countries and our lives in a long continuing tradition of transcontinental friendship. Special!

I have always liked Chiara but I had no idea she was such a beautiful humored, easy going, sweet angel. I absolutely loved spending time with her and can’t wait to see her again in Australia; and Francesco what a beautiful snuggly baby full of smiles and love! Again, special!

The way home to Izola, Enrico drove me back along the beach on the back of a motor bike – the kids were super jealous when Enrico dropped me off and we went to have Slovenian ice cream and talk about another Slovenian day filled with beach soccer and bocce.