LAUNDRY ITALIAN-STYLE

Maybe this doesn't even need an explanation. Could these photos of nature's own dryer be enough?

Even though our Italian washing machine made by the CANDY company has a glass window on it, I still can't fathom what could be going on in there for the many hours it takes to do a load of laundry. But I'm not going to complain. First, nobody forced me to move to the home of the Slow-Food Movement. Secondly, regardless of what that washer is doing, the clothes come out cleaner than in a speedy American machine.

We did take the precaution of buying a machine here that has a so-called Ciclo Rapido/Fast setting. But given all the restrictions of what that fast cycle will and won't do, you can tell that their heart was not in it. Anyone in too much of a hurry can NOT expect to put in a full load of anything. Furthermore, you're not going to get the 1000 giri fast-spin that leaves the clothes nearly dry. And no temperature selection for you, either, not to mention any instructions pertaining to the fast cycle. Not even in the manual's "La Fuzzy Logic" section. Why they would have such a "franglais"-named section in the first place is another story, but let's not go there.

While living in France, I noticed the absence of electric clothes dryers, an appliance considered essential by most Americans. Well, while we did buy one here (made by the REX company, perhaps because only a King could afford the electricity to run it?), the clothes dryer we left behind in America is currently busted.

On the other hand, because here in Italy we live in a largely sunny place, we like to use nature's own dryer. In addition to the purpose-built collapsible dryer, however, I realized that to "dress" the outdoor furniture from Unopiu works even better. Others have probably figured this out more quickly than the 68.5 years it took me, but maybe that's why I feel so at home in the Land of Slow. And as you can see in this last photo, things get busted here, too: the bamboo roof covering of our pergola needs some work. But all in due time.

It's not for nothing that the local mantra is "piano, piano"/all will be fixed "con calma." And since I'm here for the long haul, I am not casting my lot with La Fuzzy Logic, but am learning to go with the (slow) flow.