Christine and I are currently touring Italy. We spent a few days in Matera which is the third oldest continually inhabited town in the history of the world. In days gone by people carved a domed room out of the sandstone for their home. They dug out streets and the homes went up for seven levels on top of each other. The homes were one domed room about the size of a reasonable lounge room by our standards. In that one room the whole family lived WITH the donkey, pig and chickens. Although the hygiene improved over the years, there were families still living in these homes until 1968, still without running water or electricity. The government moved them out and now developers are turning these meagre homes into boutique tourist accommodation with large daily rental rates. The newer half of the city has all modcons, beautiful architecture and magnificent cathedrals. You have to wonder how these massive inequalities are allowed to continue. In other cities we have visited cathedrals of such opulence with marble and gold that it is doubtful we will ever see anything like them built again. Often these structures were built by a rich family trying to outdo their peers.
Although this inequality of wealth and massive power of the past seems to have lessened a little, it is obvious that much more needs to be done to create a fairer world for everyone.
Despite the tone of this reflective piece, we are enjoying Italy as we always do when we come here. The Italians are among the friendliest people and their food and wine is delicious. There are only two road rules in Italy:- do not hit another vehicle and do not be hit by another vehicle. There are no more rules. I KNOW.
Michael Simmons. President