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Published: April 10th 2012
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By Tia KellyThis week of our trip was much different than the first.From rural Uganda to one of the most beautiful towns in Piemonte, in northern Italy. We have been taking in the lanscape of Venaus, a small town just outside of Susa. It’s a writers or artists paradise, with old buildings, cobble stone streets surrounded by unbelievably beautiful mountains.
Venaus, has around 2,000 people, almost all of whom were born here. Sometimes going back more than 4 generations. Very few people come to visit, so we were a bit of the subject around town. When Tia and I went to dinner two nights ago, we were greeted with blank faces and stares. The guys who ran the joint must have called their friend, because by the time we left there were about 10 men ranging 20-50 years old standing around the bar pretending not to watch us. It wasn’t all that endearing but entertaining nonetheless.
This trip was a bit of a wild card for us, as my family here weren’t able to secure any interviews for us in advance but not to worry they would have some. They were half right. We were not able
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By Tia Kelly to get one minor involved, as parents were not interested in having their daughter’s take part. We did meet some vibrant and passionate young women in their early 20s and feel we got some good interviews. I have to say it’s going to be hard to edit though. When you get an Italian going about something passionate they don’t want to stop talking. I now know where I get it from haha.
It’s been an interesting reflection for me here. We included Italy and Ireland in this documentary because a lot of people have an idea that Europe doesn’t have the same gender issues as developing nations. We also know that environment and culture play a big part in societal development and since I am first generation Canadian with Italian parents and Tia is Irish and living in the US it would be a great opportunity to put some add insight about our own experiences in the film.
I can tell you it has been a big eye opener for me on a couple fronts and I can see how growing up within two cultures has played a significant part in who I am
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By Tia Kelly and what I do in the world today.
We’ve been so lucky with weather here, ranging between 15-22C until today. It fell to 3C and raining. Today is an editing day.
And… I can’t write about Italy without talking about the food. We’ve been so lucky to have family put us up in a beautiful and quaint apartment, driving us to and from places and inviting us over for lunches, dinners, and taking us around. It’s been amazing. There is nothing like homemade Italian food and traditional pizzerias. We’ve been able to hit a few places and even able to go into a pizzeria when they were closed to watch them make the pizza dough. Pizzailio Daniele even let us film him. We definitely haven’t had same food problem as in Uganda. Just now we had the lady who owns the apartment we are in bring us an afternoon treat for “energy because you work too hard.” I wish I had this same service at home J
One thing we found… hmmm… well just plain odd was that most urban guys here are more “groomed” than women are. They are
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By Tia Kelly very shapely eyebrows, big diamond earrings and their clothing and hair resembles the Gotti boys. Tia and I are both hoping that this trend does not hit North America, more specifically the Metro Vancouver area or San Diego aka for those who are Anchorman fans the “WV”.
We are off to Ireland tomorrow to stay with Tia’s family but not before making a very long journey to get there. Unfortunately due the travel agency and budget constraints we are having to go from Turin to Frankfurt, Frankhurt to Heathrow, Heathrow to Shannon. The only challenge that we have had this tip is the amount of time in airports and in transfers. We’ll have to work it out better next time.
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wendy weir
non-member comment
thanks for your updates
i so appreciate the opportunity to be in on your evolving journey that has really only just begun - thanks for your time to keep us up to date and entertained - would love to hear a little more about the interviews and any 'aha's' best wishes for smooth connections as it sounds you have several wendy