CASA VALENTINE…

………WHEREVER WE ARE TOGETHER, WE ARE HOME

Speedy Pomodoro??

Written By: Arlene Ridolfi Valentine - Sep• 22•22

Speedy Tomato

Many household chores are more difficult in Italy than they are in the US…..but thanks to the Esselunga supermarket chain, food shopping when living in the countryside is not one of them.

Incoming Food!

Incoming Food!

Even if you are located outside an urban area; even if you are located in the midst of vineyards with only dirt roads, the trusty little yellow trucks with the pomodoro logo will bring your goods right to your door.   Ordering groceries online is quite a departure from the norm in Italy where food shopping is a very local and daily thing, but when one is out in the country a service like this one is truly a godsend.

Speedy Delivery

Speedy Delivery

When living within the city limits of Florence, we used this service for household staples and other supplies such as wine and water ……. especially  because we lived in a third floor walk-up and the delivery is truly door to door……

Speedy Pomodoro, City Version

Speedy Pomodoro, City Version

but country living gives a whole new meaning to their tag line “la spesa comodo” (convenient shopping).

Groceries Have Arrived

Groceries Have Arrived!

That their delivery personnel are always kind, courteous, efficient and usually smiling is just icing on the supermarket cake!   Mille grazie, Esselunga!

 

 

Florentine Acrobatics?

Written By: Arlene Ridolfi Valentine - Sep• 17•22
Florentine Acrobatcs

Florentine Acrobats

Scaffolding is pretty common here in Florence….it’s the only way to work on all these ancient buildings lined up next to each other on narrow city streets….but there’s a new guy in town.  Edilizi Acrobatica.  This company now has 11 branches in Tuscany (2 of which are in Florence) and I think they are on to something.

Florentine Acrobatics

Florentine Working Acrobatics

Their tag line ……”le soluzioni arrivano dall’alto” (the solutions come from above)….is a pretty clever way to introduce a novel maintenance model for any number of the ongoing projects that always seem to need attention….balcony repairs, roof inspections, facade cleaning, painting  and repairs, even window cleaning.

Florentine Climbers

Florentine Working Climbers

Given the popularity of the sports of hiking and climbing right now, the appearance of these workers tethered and scaling building facades generates a lot of interest and in fact all of their publicity incudes an appeal to join their work force!

Florentine Climbers at Work

Florentine Climbers at Work

We were just two of many passers-by who couldn’t resist watching the show…..and it seems to me the workers, even though they take their work seriously, enjoy the attention!