Woodstock Nation
We are back in Cervinara after a long absence and it is just
like coming home!
After an uneventful flight to Paris and a short hop from Paris
to Naples, we were the first to get our luggage and were on the road within 20
minutes. This was a record! It was lovely to see all the in-laws, nieces
and nephews, but then it was time for us to take our car and head east into the
mountains of the Valle Caudine, where our home away from home awaited us.
Not much has changed in the old town; the same faces smiled at
us as we drove up the long hill, the baker still waved us on as he checked for
oncoming traffic, the barista at our local circolo greeted us with big
hugs. But there was something new and
unexpected on the horizon….
In the vacant lot where many of the houses destroyed in the
1999 flood used to be, there was a huge stage set up, with spotlights,
amplifiers, and techs doing sound checks.
We found ourselves in the middle of the “Non solofolk” music festival,
an event organized by a variety of very talented people dedicated to the
eradication of prejudice, the celebration of music, and the remembrance of
those lost in that tragic event of 14 years ago. As is always the case when there is any kind
of street festival, the whole Ioffredo neighborhood was lined with vendors of
food, beverages, toys, t-shirts and other mementos. Festival attendees had pitched tents in the
woods behind the concert venue and port-a-potties were lined up in a corner of
the piazza. The joint was jumpin’!
This would normally be a great opportunity for us to be out
and about, schmoozing with the neighbors and enjoying some sausages and
beer. But with a major case of jetlag hanging
over our heads, I was none too happy at this turn of events. And indeed, I was right to be worried. The program was scheduled to jump off at 9,
but sound checks and setting up didn’t end until 10 pm. The music started just as we were ready to
crash into bed. I am not exaggerating
when I say that from our bedroom balcony, we could see the lights, hear the
crowds, not to mention the music. It
blasted non-stop from 10-1:37 am. I know
the exact moment because I was awake and watching the clock, counting the
minutes for the Red Hot Chili Peppers clones to finish their last set. None too happy, rest assured!
Saturday….same scenario.
Only this time we knew what to expect and we closed up all our windows
and turned on the fans to keep some air moving.
This helped to muffle the head-bangers’ ball music somewhat, but not
nearly enough. Again, the music finished
at almost 2:00 am, and this time we had a 5:00 wakeup call so we could get on
the road for our drive to “alt’italia”.
I managed to cobble together a couple of hours of very restless sleep
and by 6:30 wewere on the road again.
So now, we find ourselves outside of Modena, in a very nice
hotel, and at 6:30 in the evening I can’t wait to lie down and close my
eyes! The restaurant opens at 7:30 and
we will be there with bells on to get the earliest dinner possible only to go
back to our rooms and pray for a good night’s sleep. I’m getting desperate!
That said, it was nice to see our old neighborhood so lively
and full of excitement. More and more
outsiders are coming to recognize what Cervinara has to offer, and this event
certainly will help with the revitalization efforts in town. I don’t want things to change too much….the
old ways are fine with me, but knowing that a new generation is learning to
enjoy the simple pleasures of our hills ensures a vital and lively Cervinara
for years to come.
