Hello, I am Judy Sale, an artist and property restorer living here in Triora as well. My friend, Nadya, a Russian lady living here too, kindly asked me if I would like to write something on her blog. Being somewhat more ’senior’ than Nadya, I didn’t really know how to do this - and still don’t - but I thought it was a fun idea to write something about my life here in Triora.

It is a lovely medieval village as Nadya has already said, but it is unique in that it attracts only unique people. If you are not unique and prefer packaged tours, cruises, and all things measured and evaluated before you encounter a country, read no further.

On the other hand, if you like to live a full and individual life that you carve out for yourself, you might be intrigued to know more about this lovely secret place that scares off the mundane and welcomes those who actually have something to contribute - who welcome change rather than cringe at the mere thought.

Oh dear, I sound radical already and I am not! I just like to explore new places ‘my way’ and get to know interesting ‘non packaged’ people. I also have some beautiful properties for sale here in Triora that are or will be finished to the same (or better) standard than those required by  the ‘packaged’. After all, I don’t think you have to live in a hut and wear ‘Jesus shoes’ to be different. My properties offer the same creature comforts as those found in the ‘rat race’, I just don’t have to listen to ‘rat race’ people problems because I have friends here who have had the guts to opt out of that.

I think that is enough (basta! - in Italian!) for one night. Let’s see what poor Nadya thinks about my submission so far - after all, it is her blog!

Today I’ve taken Giovanna to the railway station, she’s going back to Torino at the moment. She reminded us an old italian song:

Ma per fortuna che c’e’ il Riccardo
che da solo gioca al biliardo,
non e’ di grande compagnia
ma e’ il piu’ simpatico che ci sia.

Actually B. hoped that Gio and our friend Riccardo Pittore (Ric The Painter) would have a sort of understanding. But helas: Ric was occupied with his mother and unexpectedly went away, maybe to Rome, and Gio didn’t seem to like Triora very much - she missed television.

So, Ric has to continue playing the pool on his own, just like the song says…