When this global pandemic is finally over, the repercussions will be felt for a very long time

My father was born in 1917 and was drafted into WWII in his mid-twenties. He fought in North Africa, Italy, and Sicily.

My dad (left) and his best friend, Chick, at Santa Cruz boardwalk

I saw my dad as someone who played his cards close to the chest. He built his world around his family and friends, and if you were lucky to be part of his inner circle, he had your back. He never talked about the war, but you could tell he was the kind of guy you wanted with you in the trenches—on the shores of Anzio or when you fell and scraped your knee.

My mom came into the world in October of 1929: two weeks before the stock market crashed on “Black Thursday”. Her childhood spanned the depression years and she was on the cusp of adolescence when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

RN Nancy

She was a registered nurse until her third child was born. I don’t think she owned a credit card until I was in middle school, and even then she paid the balance each month. She believed if you couldn’t afford something, you shouldn’t buy it. Mom taught herself how to sew so that she could make my school clothes. Every week we had a left-over night and camping trips were our family’s vacations.

As a survivor of this difficult period in history, how do you think today’s pandemic era will change you?

the day before

In the days leading up to Italy’s Coronavirus outbreak, I took a rather Pollyannaish stance on the impending health crisis. I preferred to look on the bright side, figuring the panic and hand-wringing was all for naught. I was wrong. Our entire country is now on lockdown—a measure aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 and thereby limiting its reach to the most vulnerable among us.

It’s not the virus I want to address here today, but rather Italy’s spectacular response to it.

When Prime Minister Conte announced on Monday night that the whole of Italy would become a zona protetta (protected zone), I was partly shocked and partly relieved. The government was taking drastic measures to protect the welfare of its citizens and at that moment I felt a deep sense of pride for my adopted country and its inhabitants.

After the decree was handed down, there appeared a rash of international headlines posing the question, “Would Italians be able to follow the rules?” Well, the answer, at least in my little town in Umbria, is a resounding yes!

Early Tuesday morning as I was getting ready for my day, I could hear the sound of ladies pulling carts down my alleyway, scooters were humming, and voices were speaking in optimistic tones. Around the corner at my neighborhood bar, coffee cups clanged as folks discussed the Coronavirus guidelines while keeping a safe, one-meter distance for each other. The scene at the supermarket was much the same. Patrons weaved in and out to avoid contact, yet people appeared relaxed and upbeat. Clustering is bad. Walking in the sunshine is good. We stay at home as much as possible. Hashtag #IoRestoACasa (I stay at home) is trending on Twitter.  

11 March 2020

I don’t know why Italians have sprung into action so magnificently. Perhaps it’s the culture’s reverence for its elderly and infirmed. Maybe, as my friend suggests, they are inspired by the notion of solidarity against a common enemy.

Italians endured the black plague, defeated fascism, and survived Berlusconi.

They got this.

How to socialize in the time of Coronavirus

Photo by Toni DeBella

It’s hardly a secret that the Netherlands is home to the most bicycles per capita than anywhere else in the world. Statistics reveal that 17 million Dutch people own 22.5 million bicycles (1.3 bikes per resident) and there are upwards of 55,000 kilometres of bike lanes stretching from north to south and east to west.

Perhaps nowhere except Copenhagen is a city quite as bike-friendly as Holland’s capital of Amsterdam. From cradle to grave, citizens can be seen straight-backed and confident as they pedal around their unique city, come rain or come shine. Come hell or high water.

Before taking to these canal-lined streets on two wheels, here are some things you ought to know about biking in Amsterdam:

1 There’s a lane for that

by Toni DeBella

By Toni DeBella

Brick-hued, one- and two-way bike paths snake through charming neighbourhoods and grey pavement is marked with pedestrian symbols (specifying footpaths) or bike symbols (indicating cycle and scooter lanes.)

2 There’s a traffic sign for that

Along with traffic lights for motor vehicles, there are also designated signals for pedestrians and bicycles. Don’t forget to look both ways before crossing the street!

3 Road rules made simple

Photo by Eliad Yaholom

Follow road signs, stay to the right, give the right-of-way to pedestrians at zebra crossings, comply with caution signals, and keep pace with the flow of bike traffic.

4 They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Photo by Toni DeBella

Parking guidelines require that you place your bike in an allocated parking spot (on a rack or at an indoor parking facility). Bikes illegally parked will be confiscated and stored in the city’s Bicycle Depot. To avoid theft, always lock your bike to something secure and immovable.

5 He who hesitates is lost

Photo by Becky Day beckyday

If you’re a novice cyclist or you haven’t been on a bike for a time we suggest joining a guided bike tour or explore the city on foot. Amsterdam on a bike is not for the faint of heart (see number “6” below).

6 The most dangerous thing in Amsterdam is…

Photo by Slaunger

…a tourist on a bicycle. To enjoy Amsterdam safely you should be well versed in the rules of the road and follow them to the letter. Read about cycling safety here.

7 The second most dangerous thing in Amsterdam is…

Photo by Steven

…a tourist NOT on a bike looking at a map. Pay attention to where you’re going or suffer the unpleasant consequences.

8 Fun fact

Did you know that there is a crack team of city workers charged with cleaning up Amsterdam’s numerous waterways? Incredibly, they pluck more than 15,000 bikes annually from their aqueous graves.

Bonus: insider tips

Here are some dos and don’ts to make riding a bike in Amsterdam more enjoyable and safer:

• DON’T stop abruptly in a bike lane. DO pull over.

• DON’T use a cell phone or read a map while moving.

• DO keep a safe distance between you and the bike in front of you.

• DO put out your arm and point in the direction you’re intending to go.

• DO use a light at night.

• DO use your bell to alert someone that you want to pass.

• DON’T bike more than two across.

• DO or DON’T wear a bike helmet (they’re not required by law).

• DO avoid rush hour when cycling can be the most harrowing and chaotic.

• DO cross tram rails at an angle to avoid tires getting stuck in the groove.

• DON’T cycle when drunk or under the influence.

For more information on booking guided bike tours in Holland, France, and Italy contact Amsterdam-based YuBike. You can also find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Sometimes a plan just comes together. Last October a wonderful group of artists of all levels and from all corners of the world gathered to paint and sketch our little hill town. They took the city by storm!

And their work was simply wonderful…

Margaret Wheaton, Florida, U.S.A.

“Lovely bells ringing, but then the rain returned!”

Yvonne Fay, Manchester, UK

Alistair Duffield, Singapore

“I had a great time in Orvieto. It is a wonderful, friendly Italian hilltop town and the week is not only about sketching and painting, but the town, its people, great restaurants and food. Well organised by Toni and on top of that sketching/painting every day was a joy – guided by Kelly. “

Erin Lee Gafill & Tom Birmingham, Big Sur, U.S.A.

“Kelly is a simply great teacher and Orvieto is the ideal place to learn. I absolutely loved the experience and can’t wait to come back and do it again! Kelly’s lessons are invaluable and serve me well every day in my own painting practice.”

Valéria Salgueiro, Brazil

“The whole week period, from Monday to Sunday, was very well organized in every respect – accommodation, special activities with local people and, obviously, the thematic painting workshops. In a word or two, everything run as planned and informed to all participants, and the results were well above our expectations. Kelly is an excellent artist and a lovely person, and each day she explored different aspects involved in painting such as composition, sense of space, light and shadow, color, texture asw. All this occurred in a very friendly and respectful climate, so that I left Orvieto with that great feeling I did the right choice. I would not hesitate to strongly recommend Kelly Medford’s workshop to whoever wishes to put together a traveling, painting and making friends experience in unforgettable Orvieto.”

Jane Stephenson Bumar, Florida, U.S.A

“Every day was beautifully structured to present completely different experiences and lessons carefully guided by Kelly Medford who is such a genius at working with all levels of artist from beginning to professional. Such an enriching, magical and supportive experience all around.”

Jane Driscoll, South Carolina, U.S.A.

“Sketching Orvieto” with Kelly Medford was a wonderful experience. Everything was perfect – the magical location, local culture, delicious food and, of course, Kelly’s excellent instruction.”

We would love to have you at Kelly’s next Sketching Orvieto Workshop. Find out more below…

https://www.kellymedford.com/workshop/sketching-orvieto-capture-a-magnificent-italian-hill-town-in-watercolor/

I’m so thrilled to announce that my good friend, Kelly Medford (of Kelly Medford Art and Sketching Tours Rome) and I are collaborating to bring her famous Watercolor Sketching workshop to Orvieto this October. It’s open to anyone who wants to spend a week painting and experiencing Orvieto, one brush stroke at a time. To register or find out more, go to Kelly’s website, as spaces are limited. Share with anyone who might want to join us. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions. PAINTING ORVIETO, KELLY STYLE!

http://www.kellymedford.com/workshop/exploring-orvieto-watercolor-sketching-in-the-perfect-italian-hill-town/