My mother used to send my children Christmas books as Christmas. We used to read one Christmas book each night in December. One of our favorites was Merry Christmas, Strega Nona.
I recently visited friends in Lankaran, a region to the south bordering Iran. As part of that visit, we went to "isti su", hot baths. To get to "isti su" you go out of the city center of Lankaran and then it is a 30 minute walk into the hillside. There are several huts with baths. You chose which hut by the temperature of the bath. After our bath, we walked back down the hill. It is lightly forested and you pass cows heading home. Much to my delight as we were walking we spotted two women walking up the hill. They were dressed in many colored layers, tights, socks, skirt, apron, long sleeved shirts, knitted vests and scarfs. Resting on their shoulders were axes. Just like Strega Nona as she went to get the Christmas tree to make Christmas. Two real life Strega Nonas. As we passed, we said Salam and got wonderful greetings back and beautiful smiles.
I didn't get a picture, but the memory is so vivid and wonderful.
We all need the magic of Strega Nona and I am so blessed to have found "my" Strega Nonas in Azerbaijan.
I got so behind but just caught up with all your posts for about 6 months and bookmarked this on my phone (the one thing I check most consistently). I remember the Strega Nonas too. So great to see some in person! Sounds like you are making the most of your experience. You are far more adventurous than I. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI was actually just thinking of Strega Nona a few weeks ago. I learned a trick for pasta cooking made me love pasta (I could take it or leave it before) and I thought of Strega Nona. :)
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