Recognize these two?

That's right, as I was talking with the friendly lady her husband came up from his swim, and asked where I was from. When I said Penryn, he said, "Do you know Victoria Brooks?" It was Silvio Sylvester and his wife Katheryn from Grass Valley. I have seen his paintings in shows around the area, but never met him. How fun is that?

Anyway I finished my painting and went to get a table across the square at the restaurant, Silvia (not sure I am spelling his name right) set up to paint the square. Just then a procession appeared around the corner from the church, lead by children scattering flowers along path already made of blossoms across the square and up the main street, came a procession. Brothers carrying a cross, the Father followed by most of the village singing a song. A lady waiting for a table said, "Oh look they have hired a painter to capture the procession!" and pointed to Sylvio!

The Sylvesters were able to find a place to stay from my Rick Steve's book and we shared a nice dinner and train ride. I have not seen them today but where ever they are I am sure they are having fun. I painted another Vernazza Gelato place today, last time I was here I did not see this one, maybe it is new. The other one across the lane from it I painted last time. I have a bit more to do on it so will post it later.

Towels above the Vernazza Marina, a watercolor

Yes I have been painting, not just photographing, although I have a tun of new photos to paint from when I return home.

While painting this painting seated in a shady spot of the marina square in Vernazza yesterday an American lady sat down and struck up a conversation. She said she was waiting for her husband who was over there swimming, but he too was here painting. An oil painter, they had been traveling around Europe by car and being a fast painter he has already painted many paintings. She complained about the place they were staying so I loaned her my Rick Steve's book so she could find a better spot. They were traveling without Rick Steve's Guide Book, is that possible?????? Anyway, the next photo (which will actually be the previous photo as the blog posts the last ones first) is of the painter and his wife.

An appropriate mailbox in a vino town

This is a wine barrel that has been placed in the wall by the door of a home here. This region is famous for its wine, my guess is this guy is a wine maker.

Wedding in Vernazza

May 24, 2008 while enjoying my favorite lunch here, bruchutto y melone (I have no idea if I spelled that right) the bells of the church began to ring in celebratory notes and then the wedding part appeared from the church around the corner from the restaurant on the Vernazza marina where I was eating. Meals here are not lonely even though I am traveling alone, tables are close and people just talk to each other in whatever language they can find works. Today a friendly Norwegian couple sat with a German couple that they said were the luckiest Germans alive. When I asked why, I was told they won the German 1 million euro lottery, and so purchased a home high on a hill here in Vernazza. They had invited the Norwegian couple for a visit. Behind me a Canadian couple jokes with the funny old waiter who tells them that this may be the groom's best day, or worst day of the rest of his life! Susan, remember the funny and cranky old guy who was the waiter at the restaurant with the colorful umbrellas? Same guy, still here.