A change in the air

Well, it seems that autumn is finally arriving in southern Italy. The mornings are cooler and the scarves and down jackets have emerged from the closet. The afternoons are still quite pleasant with temperatures reaching the upper 60s (20 degrees Celsius), so you either end up eventually carrying the outerwear or perspiring a lot! The hummingbird hawk moths (they look like hummingbirds but are actually moths, and are considered a good luck omen in Italy – a special “thank you” to my Italian relative Serena for pointing out a case of mistaken identity) are out in full force, enjoying the last of the warm weather and the nectar of the flowering shrubs that line the entire lungomare. The hummingbird hawk moths are really difficult to photograph because they beat their wings about 500 times a second, but look for the little out-of-focus blob in the center of the photo.

In addition to the cooler temperatures, signs of the upcoming holiday season at emerging. Salerno is famous throughout Italy for its amazing holiday light displays that encompass the entire city as well as the extensive waterfront. During my tenure, I have seen the public works employees installing the light displays over every single street. Unfortunately for me, I will miss the first night of the display, November 7, as I will be back home. The display continues nightly into January and visitors from all over Italy descend upon this lovely city.

The displays hang overhead from the sides of the buildings. Just imagine the electricity bill!!!!

Another sign of the upcoming holiday season is the appearance of Christmas decorations in the stores (before Halloween, just like in the USA, with the requisite holiday sales).

As I sit here sipping my aperitivo of vino bianco,

(and the drink always comes with a few yummy snacks to hold you over until dinner) the dark clouds gather on the horizon, raindrop start to fall and a warm sweater needs to be donned.

This weekend, the clocks will be turned back one hour (a week earlier than in the USA) and darkness will begin around 5 p.m. It looks like summer is finally over!