Scuba and Politics in a Broad Sense

We went to an agriturismo for a buffet with Massi and Monia's scuba club. No one has actually dove for about 9 years but they get together still. The buffet was weak, mostly only verdure (vegies), but I sat next to an interesting man who spoke English pretty well, and wife. He works for the government and needs to travel to Australia, etc, hence the English. Their house was damaged by the earthquake last year and the upper half is uninhabitable because the roof was damaged. They live in a vacation home they have temporarily with only one bedroom for four people - the couple and their daughter and boyfriend and wolf-dogs. They have no idea when the house will be fixed because they have to wait for the government to do it. He feels this is the big problem that Italy has, you wait for someone to do things for you, you do not go and do them for yourself. It is just their way, now, he said. The only insurance was through the government and also they need permits to do the repair. And so, since it doesn't bother the bureaucrats that they can't live in their house, they are in no hurry to complete the paperwork. Thus, at one year out, he has no idea when he can move back to his house. Here, in Camerata Picena, the church in the main square was also damaged and simply remains closed. Depending on each other has good and bad aspects, it seems, in actual practice. He also commented that Italians are afraid to move out of their home town. They would never do what I am doing. (In fact, I don't know if I mentioned this, but people waiting at the school at the end of the day have apparently commented that I must be nuts to leave my 3 kids alone for 2 months. How will they survive?) Massie's view is a little different. He is a go-getter. He says the strength of Italy is that they do not actually follow laws and that makes them think out of the box. He feels when he works with Americans, we simply do what we are told and do not innovate as much as they do. The other strength Massie thinks Italy has is a very strong education for all. From what I have seen of Nastia's homework, I have to agree. Her Math is very difficult, her writing, script mind you, is beautiful and her English instruction is quite difficult. She is expected to solve math problems, recite facts on human origins, and explain Italian grammar orally for tests! (3rd grade)