Italy is really getting belted. The A3 (salerno-Calabria I think) is closed or should be because of the amount of snow. People have been stranded on the road for days because the snow movers can't get through. This is all over Italy though. Umbria, Marche, Toscana, etc.. We had a little in Siena last weekend but it stopped and then the freeezing cold and wind hit. It was -6 yesterday (not including wind chill) but this morning at 7 the snow started. By the time I went to take my daughter to the bus at 7:45 we were covered in white. No bus came by so called and yep, it is a SNOW DAY. All schools in the comune of Siena, Monteriggioni and Castelnuovo Berardenga are closed. Chains are mandatory on the road up to my house (from Siena all the way up). Now I just hope the regular bus passes so my husband can come home.
So for anyone who thinks that Italy is always sunny and warm, even in the south, think again.
Off to go have a snowball fight with all the neighborhood kids
I know Cristina is a VIP here, but are you going to allow her to use such filthy language in public? 12" up to yesterday when they finally plowed so the kids could get to school, and now? already 4" more and not thinking of stopping. I do not allow that word in my life: I call it pigeon poo.
I played soccer last night from 9-10pm. During the first 10 minutes or so, we had what could possibly be called snow. Meaning it was precipitation in crystaline form, however if I was back in PA I wouldn't of called it snow. But since I was in Rome and we never have snow here, at the moment it was snow to me.
The waether seems to be snowy down south, but here it's gray but essentially dry, Still very cold. THis is what I found on walking to the subway this morning at about 10 am. And at the office I am costnatly wearing a thick ponco I made for this very purpose, on top of my two sweathers. As you can guess, I am not exactly the cold weather friendly type.
Your pictures are actually really pretty to see. (sorry, easy for me to say living in California right now) However, I used to live near Spokane Washington and got a flash back of those rolling wheat hills of snow and ice!
Thanks for the post!
Regards, Kathy
Posts: 689 | Location: California | Registered: 19 September 2004
Cristina, those look beautiful. Since my last day of work is Monday, I'm looking forward to a snow day but of course, since I'm not working, it probably won't snow again this winter .
Cold and snow? It was 1 degree Farenheit this morning in Boston, and we have broken the all-time record for snow in January - 42 inches. OK, so we're more used to the stuff over here, but it's still no fun. I'm running out of places to pile the snow and my furnace at home won't keep up with the cold. No pictures, but we're approaching those wonderful shots of snow in the movie Fargo. ---Marlene
Posts: 570 | Location: Boston, MA | Registered: 11 May 2004
OK, I'm leaving for Italy in a bit over a week. Should I bring my parka and snow boots?!
Christina: All I can say is bella... of course, while I'm there sliding around in my little rental car, I might be singing a different tune...Oh yes, I'll be getting my zero deductible from auto Europe indeed!
Alessandra: I'll be in Cortona on this trip. How's the driving it that area during a snow storm? I hear everything shuts down once the snow hits?
Those pictures certainly made me miss my New England upbringing... Let it snow!!!
quote:Originally posted by trekcapri: ...Your pictures are actually really pretty to see. (sorry, easy for me to say living in California right now) ...
I"m sick of all the rain we've had here in Southern California. I console myself by saying "at least it's not snowing!" Although your beautiful pictures are making me reconsider ...
quote:Originally posted by teachick: ... of course, while I'm there sliding around in my little rental car, I might be singing a different tune...Oh yes, I'll be getting my zero deductible from auto Europe indeed!
Those pictures certainly made me miss my New England upbringing... Let it snow!!!
One huge difference between winter driving here in New England and in Italy is the lack of 4 season tires. If you're in an area with snow you may need chains (catene) for your tires. Really. I have never used chains in the US, even while skiing in NH, VT, Utah, CO or ME. I used chains 3 times this month alone in Lazio.
You can reserve chains through AutoEurope. They will be new, so harder to use. Know how to install them before you find yourself pulled off the side of the road in a sleet storm.
I live on top of one of the hills in the Chianti and when it snows up here we are totally cut off even though I am only 12 minutes from Siena's gates. After last year I decided that we needed a car that could handle the roads no matter what so got a Hyundai Santa Fe 4 wheel drive with all season tires. This year I felt so much safer when we got hit. Just knowing that if I had to go to the doctors or something I could get there. Oh and I get to say Hi to Pauline & Steve every time I se the car (Santa Fe )
Maureen: Yes, I never once used snow tires in New England. So, I guess I'll call Auto Europe and see about those chains... I'm hoping for better whether, but I'm not counting on it. Good information. As it is I don't drive up to the mountains here in Southern California when there's snow. I dread using snow chains and they require them here.
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