'La Bella Figura'

Literally 'beautiful figure', there are few things more important than la bella figura here.

We see examples every day, but what is it?
Like much in Italy, it's complicated!
It can be that perfectly coiffed and made-up 70-something doing her supermarket shopping. Or that middle-aged guy in Olympic-class cycling gear just going for a ride. Or that young woman in 'just-so' torn jeans and designer sunglasses.
We've seen them all.

Definitively la bella figura

For us though, it's this uber-elegant university professoressa (woman professor) we regularly spot on the main street here. So perfectly turned out, she could've stepped directly out from "Breakfast At Tiffany's"!
Tall and slim, she totally rocks those 4-inch heels!
It goes way beyond physical appearance though: It's all about everyday dignity, elegance, hospitality, and discernment. And the perception that someone has those qualities.
Like that perfect hostess, making a meal look so easy and refined. Or that photo-shoot quality home interior you walk into.
But it can also be somewhat of a trap, I have to reckon.
With many Italians paying such close attention to their looks and behaviour because they're overly fearful of being criticised, and making a bad impression.
And it's even happening here at home, with my sometimes very-Italian wife saying: "You can't go out dressed like that! Change that top immediately...!" Now she'll say it's just good dress sense, but I know different!
It can sometimes be hard for a Kiwi male to get his head around.
But I'm working on it!

Local Pride

One thing that was obvious right away, was just how proud the locals are of Modica.
It shows in how our builder friend never fails to point out the wonderful architecture. How those at our favourite cafes urge us to visit this church, or that scenic spot. How complete strangers point out the way to local points of interest, without being asked.

Such a good watch!

Although the latter may be more to do with us looking lost?
Of course, alongside this pride comes some fierce local rivalry.
There’s the friendly signora at our fruit-and-vege shop who told Alice her nearby hometown of Scicli was much nicer. How Modica had 'stolen' all the glory of the TV series "Il Commissario Montalbano" from them!
It being part-shot in both places.
You may recall I mentioned this show as one of the reasons we’re living here? My wife wisely didn't mention that fact though!
Then we bumped into some people from nearby Noto, who claimed it was 'even nicer' than Modica. We, sensibly, didn't argue that 'fact' with them, as we haven’t visited yet.
However, and naturally, for every 'up' there's a 'down'.
With so many of the awesome local chiese (churches), palazzi (palaces), and civic buildings looking very run down, and uncared for.
We get money's tight, and that we're (still) living with coronavirus, but tall weeds sprout from bell towers, and guttering and roofs, and graffiti adorns several.
But we've seen the same in Venice and Milan, so mustn’t grumble too much!

Rubbish and Shite

One thing that's different here from every other place we've lived is rubbish collection.
It's funny how the little things can become memorable!

They're everywhere...

Here, there's no weekly rubbish collection. Instead, every several hundred metres or so, and all over the city, there's a bunch of different-coloured bins into which you place your household rubbish.
These multi-coloured bins cover organic, plastic, and paper rubbish, as well as one(s) for recycling. Essentially, you have to walk your rubbish down to these bins on a regular basis.
This has become an almost daily ritual now, as we head off into town for shopping, house-hunting, or for that morning coffee.
Often all three, of course!
The great thing we've noticed here is the lack of litter and littering. Naturally, there is some. This city's full of people after all! But it's nowhere near as bad as some places we've lived in.
So that's a nice-to-have plus here.
On the other hand: Animal shite is about everywhere!
Whether you choose to call it faeces, poop, excrement, or shit: It is to be found all over this city. Well, except for the main streets, they're 'immune' for some reason.
Dog owners, and there are loads here, will just let their pets poop anywhere. Then they'll just walk on!
Consequently, you always have to watch your step (literally) in every side street and back alley in Modica. I'm not kidding here either!
Maybe that's just another reason why I'm a 'cat person' I reckon?

More Soon...