Geranium Scent
Actually, do you know that geranium is native to South Africa? But since it is widely cultivated on the Mediterranean coast, it has become synonymous with the Mediterranean. Especially with Italy. After all, geranium is a flower that loves a lot of sun.
My mother loved geraniums.
You know, if you run your hand through the leaves, a pleasant scent surrounds the place.
In our house, there were always colorful geraniums on the balcony. And also in front of the windows, outside.
Geranium is not like a living room plant. It blooms colorfully. And once it starts blooming, it doesn't blossom easily.
And because they are always on the balcony or outside, their feathery leaves collect dust.
But as I said, despite the tangled state of its branches and leaves, it does not hesitate to share its beautiful scent with you when you touch it. It smells so good.
The neighbor hung a picture in the corridor, it reminded me of the old Milan, a colorful Milan street in the sunshine, although on one side there is the sea, on the other side there are those two or three storey buildings with balconies. And there are geraniums on each balcony. It could be Genoa or Florence.
It's definitely somewhere in Italy.
I have never been to Italy, but I know a little bit about it from Italian movies.
I'm also a little aware of the mentality of the Italian people, all out of curiosity of course.
For some reason, Italians are not very popular in Europe. They are known as a country that does not listen to rules.
Maybe Europeans are right.
But the annual per capita income of Italians with their unruly behavior was 30,130 Euros as of the end of 2021. During the pandemic, who knows how much it is today.
So maybe the Italians have their own rules, what do you think?
***
Actually, do you know that geranium is native to South Africa?
But since it is widely cultivated on the Mediterranean coast, it has become synonymous with the Mediterranean. Especially with Italy.
After all, geranium is a flower that loves a lot of sun.
***
I also love Italian movies.
I must have seen who knows how many movies of Ornella Muti. She was once a sexy movie star, if you remember.
We once watched a movie called "Disgusting, dirty, bad" as a family.
I mean as a family, except for the kids, the wife, the sister-in-law, his wife and so on. It's actually a comedy, but there are scenes in the movie that are not suitable for small children. The movie shows the life of a large Italian family living in the Italian suburbs. It is an interesting movie, if you find it, I recommend you to watch it.
There is also Malena. Monica Bellucci plays the lead role. It is also a great movie.
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But is Italy only famous for its geraniums?
Or are Italian movies the only famous ones?
No, of course not, from Ferrari to Lamborghini, Fiat to Pirelli, Gucci to Armani, Versace, Benetton, Dolce&Gabbana.
From spaghetti to pizza, olive oil to cream chocolate, cappuccino to espresso... so many brands and products.
Is that all?
Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence, Florence, Naples, Turin. Almost every city has something special.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum, the Panheon. History is at least as old as Anatolia.
All roads lead to Rome!
Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire, is already a completely different city.
The Roman Empire, Caesar and Brutus.
Emperors Augustus, Claudius, Nero and many others.
The Vatican! The center of the Catholic Church, for example.
Then the artists, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raffaello Santi, Giovanni Bellini and many others.
In short, culture is everywhere.
Even Sicily is a completely different geography and culture.
Mafia! The Godfather movie for example, the Corleone family and their adventures. The Godfather is a Hollywood movie about the Italian mafia. I like to watch all three from time to time without getting bored.
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We have culture too!
You are right, we have a culture too. And it is not a culture to be underestimated at all.
But we have no money, we are swimming in debt.
Our national income per capita cannot even exceed 10 thousand dollars, let alone 30 thousand euros.
And I think these things are also a bit related to the structure of the people of the country. How can I put it, I guess we don't know how to make money.
***
Anyway, this is not about us.
Why did I write all this?
I don't know, when I saw the picture in the hallway, I thought of my mother's geraniums.
What a beautiful geranium smell.
For a moment I felt like I missed my late mother's geraniums.
Maybe geraniums are an excuse. Maybe it is those days that I miss.
Love and respect to everyone from Moscow
