Meeting At Consulate

       The Mayor went to San Francisco today, a good day to travel: no rain or snow.   It was overcast as we climbed Pacific Heights and began looking for parking.  We got lucky- a space opened that had been booked up for construction until recently and the old sign was still on the pole.
       The cultural official's aide informed us of a short delay, but she was very amiable and we chatted about the Consul's busy schedule and his busy life.  I was ushered into the library and settled into a comfortable sofa to wait for the meeting.   I picked up the magazine Longitude, an official Italian cultural publication that is published in English and comes out periodically.   This issue was a little dated, 2012.  And who was on the cover in living color:   Mad Vlad!
      He must have good PR men.  So here was the Prez himself-rising out of the water like a dolphin, taking a breath, arms outstretched like the wings of a seagull(albatross?), making his way across the pool.   No, he wasn't wearing a shirt and tie.   His bald head glistened as he shed water in sheets.   This photo probably graces the walls of many a dacha, or beauty salon, or gymnasium or Siberian work camp.  
      But, my time was now and I engaged the attache' with questions regarding Italian resort programs, the economy of Italy in the short term, and the usual questions of lifestyle comparisons between here and there.  The mayor anticipates extending some invitations to Italian alpine skiers to visit the West Shore next year as part of an exchange program with the northern regions(states) of Italy where skiers abound.
     More work and effort is needed, but a good information session has value.  After the holidays, we will return and firm up plans for 2015.