A
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CindyCares
writes: This has got nothing to do with romance or relationships or love- maybe with love for our fellow human beings, i.e. solidariety and compassion , so I hope that the mods will publish this regardless. On August 24th a devastating eartquake has hit central Italy. So far there are 250 dead people and about 400 injured, and I know it does not seem like a big deal maybe in comparison to other recent natural catastrophes. But it's not just the death toll. It's that entire villages and towns have disappeared, and there are thousands and thousands of homeless people who have lost everything, and 263 ( ! ) precious historical sites ( churches, convents, castles ,etc. Yes, we have a lot of that stuff here, and you know guys, it's yours too, it's a common patrimony of humanity ) which will need to be put in security / restored . It will take billions of euros and 10-15 years to sort of get things back if not to the way they were, to an appearance of notmality, and... every little thing will help. One dollar, one euro- everything . I know that CNN , or BBC etc.... the main foreign TV networks, and daily newspapers have circulated numbers calling which people can make their contribution - pls. go check. Anyway one can always contact Red Cross International and send them their contribution for " 24/8 Italy eartquake relief ".Again, excuse me for bringing life -or-death rama in a column which is more suited to lighter love and romance dramas. I figured out that DearCupiders ARE a generous community , generous with their time, their wisdom, their feelings. If you feel you want to extend your generosity to make an even minimal contribution ( through official , legitimate channels of course )...you will help us to bring back to life one of the most beautiful, pristine , spectacular areas of Italy.Thank you. Reply to this Article
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reader, CindyCares +, writes (27 August 2016):
CindyCares is verified as being by the original poster of the question Thank you Aidan for your kind, sensitive words.
You know, I am an average person, not better or worse than tons of other people, - so I am the first to react to the news of some natural / manmade disaster in some faraway place like the average person : with a " Too bad . That's life ", and get distracted immediately.
This time , it's not just that it hit literally very close home , but that some little , silly details made me reflect how true it is that we are all linked and interconnected through the mysterious nets of the universe, and that literally, a butterfly flapping her wings in the Brazilian jungle may cause weird ripercussions thousands of miles away.
For instance, since you are a foodie ;) now no visitor will be able for many years to taste the true, real pasta " Amatriciana ". Because in Amatrice, all the restaurants , which faithfully prepared this dish according to the old traditional recipe, with the genuine local ingredients, are now heaps of rubble.
Of course I know it is a very small thing - nothing compared to, say, if the world had lost the Tour Eiffel or Buckingham Palace .
But, just to say why I am asking unknown people thousands mile away to take an interest : because what is lost belonged to them too.
This is a beautifully, rustic, wooded area, perfect for hunting, fishing, hiking, getting to know ancient rituals and traditions, and eating excellent food. Both for a fee, of course, through the simple, no frills yet widespread hospitality industry- and for free. As you say, Aidan, we are a welcoming bunch, and numerous always have been on the area the European and American backpackers who were offered free food and shelter for the heck of it, just for the pleasure of sharing , and exchanging tales about different ways of life.
This is over, because for miles and miles around there's only death and devastation.
We want it all back. We'll have it back,for us and for the many Aidans :) who loved to cheat on their fish-and-chips and stout with hearty Amatriciana and strong local wine. Help us is make it sooner.
A
male
reader, no nonsense Aidan  +, writes (27 August 2016):
This site is about life, and all its ups and downs, so I think this article is well-placed here and thank you for posting it. I came back on Monday from a short holiday in Italy. Italians are some of the kindest, most generous, warm and welcoming people you could ever meet. They have a beautiful language, have made an enormous cultural contribution to art, music and literature, have some of the finest food and incredible countryside, towns and cities. Every tragedy is an individual life cut short, a family devastated and a great loss to the world. The earthquake is a stark and sobering reminder of how fragile our lives really are. Luck is distributed so very randomly. So we should all respond generously and compassionately in whatever way we can.
I wish you all the very best.
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