Modern Life
A study in opposites

Calabria is like a beautiful woman trying very hard to make you fall in love with her. Yet, she continually throws obstacles in the
way, seemingly to keep you at arm’s length. Life in Calabria is often described by dichotomies.   “Che Bello, che Brutto”.   How
Beautiful and Ugly at the same moment. This teasing of the senses is unrelenting and enough to cause mental exhaustion. The
natural beauty of the mountains, beaches and seas and her beautiful climate are set in an unnatural juxtaposition to the
skeletal remains of buildings started then abandoned strangely reminiscent of ancient temples topped with long strings of
rusted steel, in some places garbage left on the streets and hill sides and decaying inner-city buildings covered in graffiti stand
alongside bright new structures.  Along with the physical, there are the social aspects that must be considered. Calabrians are
kind and gentle people whose prosperity has been stolen by the burden of organized crime that impedes development in
addition to government agencies and public services that are costly, yet inefficient or absent.  Great Hopes for the future and
missed opportunities of the past are co-mingled, waiting for someone to take charge and resolve the issues that she faces. …If
only…    ….What should be, what might be, and what it is.   All seem to blend together here.
Suggested Reading and References for
further information and insights into Calabria
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Offered for your reading enjoyment..  Degree of difficulty -  1= Easy, 5 = Difficult  
Modern Life - A Study in Contrasts and Opposites
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Italian Lessons  A story about the relationship between student and teacher from the students perspective.
by Marty Sturino        
... "He stood and walked to greet her.  They each extended both hands forward to grasp while greeting with a “double press” first
right, then left with a hint of a kiss on the cheek... that was more like a very dry Martini.. Really more of a gesture than anything.   
This age-old formality served to welcome each other and express their mutual pleasure at being together again..."
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Will Work for Rigatoni  A story about harvesting olives and the experience of being in the splendor of the
Calabrian mountains.
by Marty Sturino   
..." We eat, we talk, we eat some more... Then for desert Rosa brings out fresh figs, apples from up the road, and late grapes,
golden yellow and so sweet they couldn’t be more delicious.  We agree that perhaps one more glass of wine would be ok. It is the
new wine all of three weeks into this season. It is a treat for the soul...  "
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The Unfinished Calabro A story of the contrasts that must be endured by those living and visiting Calabria
by Marcella Cua      
..."Placed side-by-side, along with this ‘disaster of bad taste’ is the calamity of the emigrants wherein Calabrian men emigrate to
Switzerland or Germany, fill their bank accounts with hard-earned money, then return to begin construction of a huge three or four
story house to assure an apartment to every son.  Only to find later that all too often that the family has failed to flourish!
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The Day Trip  A story about how three friends spend a warm Sunday afternoon at the end of November
by Marty Sturino      
..."The day warmed under the bright sun as we descended the mountains behind the ridge of Montauro, and down into the valley to
the west of Staletti and Squillace.  The valley was picturesque, with farms draped around hillsides, contour lines adding brush strokes
to a picture impossible to capture on canvas… What a Paradiso!  The tranquil valley spread out beneath us as we drove easily,
windows open to the warm air while enjoying our day in the sun.
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