Shout-Out

One (of many) benefits we have here is the Italian healthcare system.

A prime benefit simply being able to walk in and see our doctor anytime his surgery is open. No appointment necessary, and free.
And there appear to be doctors everywhere!
Some dry stats f’sure point to this being the case: In 2020 the UK had 3.03 doctors per 1,000 people, placing it 20th in the world; NZ was ranked 13th, with 3.43; while Italy places 8th with 4 doctors for every 1,000 citizens. In the US (2019) it was 2.64.
So, seeing a GP here isn’t a problem.
One worry though, when we first arrived, was our prescription medicine. Okay, we’d brought a good supply of meds with us when we landed back in September 2020. Despite being in the midst of the pandemic. But that only amounted to a two-to-three-month supply.

The healthcare card.

A worry made even worse because we couldn’t register with a GP until we’d been formally enrolled with the Azienda Sanitaria Locale (local health board). Something that didn’t happen until February 2021.
Imagine our surprise then, when we walked into a pharmacy and asked what we could do about getting said meds, we found each one was available over the counter! Albeit at a (reasonable) price.
Cheaper now we’re actually enrolled, of course.
Now let’s talk about dentists: Italy places 4th in the world for them. Again: Easy to see, and (relatively) cheap. A very welcome finding, trust me here!
Given how my teeth are.

The Switch

Autumn in the northern hemisphere is ‘officially’ between September and November.
That doesn’t mean the weather suddenly gets cooler come September, of course. Far from it here in Sicily, where the days are nearly as warm as August ... but the nights get just a tad cooler.
A welcome change for some: I’m looking at you, Alice! For me, not so much.

A 'benefit'...

Anyways, we were told, earlier this year, that the change between Spring and Summer would be like “A light switch”. One day Spring ... the next Summer. And that f’sure proved to be the case last May.
The same can be said for the late Summer to early Autumn ‘switch’.
Which I can now say occurred overnight between Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th of October 2022. At least here in Modica.
I witnessed this change myself because most mornings I go for a walk around dawn. And the difference between that Tuesday and Wednesday was very marked. Cool-ish one morning compared to cold-ish the next ... and from that day on, too.
Now we still have warm days here, hot ones even, but the evenings and early mornings are ‘crisper’, and I’m back to wearing jeans again. Sigh...
The nail in this particular coffin was the clocks going back yesterday. It’s our third Autumn in Modica then.
It’s not all ‘bad news’ mind you. ‘Tis the season for watermelons, olives, pomegranates, chestnuts, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts and cactus fruits (including our own!).
So mustn’t grumble!

Little Things

It’s the little things that often make all the difference.
A difference especially to your physical and mental wellbeing. A big thing at any time in your life ... no matter your age or circumstance. And that’s f’sure the case for the pair of us here in Modica. Thankfully!

Another 'benefit'...

Things like being greeted by name when you’re out-and-about.
By people who genuinely care about your answer to their “Come va?” (“How are you?”). And who appreciate, in turn, you asking them the same thing. Whether it’s a waitress or cafe owner, a shop manager or checkout person, or indeed that retired doctor or neighbour on her way to the shops.
It makes a huge difference: You feel accepted and, therefore, more accepting of others.
Knowing whereabouts you are in your home town, no matter where you find yourself in it, is another plus.
It’s like the city itself has accepted you, because you appreciate its many twists and turns, steps up and down, uncovered shortcuts, and quirky ways. Something you can only do by taking the time to walk it, like we did before having to get a car.
Of course, sometimes it’s those things that others may think are way less ‘important’.
Like being able to indulge my love for ‘peanut butter’, even here! Okay it’s a tad expensive. Or that I can order a ciambella at a number of cafes. Because everyone knows a ring doughnut is one of life’s essentials!
Do appreciate what you have.

More Soon...