Day 83: An Italian Stroll, La Passeggiata

Day 83: An Italian Stroll, La Passeggiata

Even if you don’t speak Italian, you most likely have heard or will recognize the word passeggiata.In this case it doesn’t mean to go for a walk, but it’s the physical place in an Italian seaside town where you stroll along the seaside in the evening.I’m from the east coast of the United States where we have the boardwalk at the beach. This is the classy version of a boardwalk complete with marble balustrades, wide open patios and lovely caffès to sit and have a drink.La Passeggiata, Oneglia8×6″Oil on Panel© Kelly Medford, 2012I got here first thing in the morning because I wanted to paint the warm sunlight as it rose over the mountain. The caffès were still closed and only a few people were out either walking their dogs or headed to the beach while it was still cool.This is the place to go in the evening, either before, but more commonly after, dinner. Mostly you walk up and down the passeggiata stopping to chat with everyone you know from town. It’s a very Mediterranean tradition and vital to small town social life.You can buy today’s painting here for $120 from my website.Thanks so much for your interest and for following the 120 Day Project!