Still learning

Huw Williams | 12:25, Tuesday 09 July 2013 | Turin, Italy

I'm still learning. I'm learning that Summer in Italy is a different animal. The sun and the heat can be intense and people here know how to adapt. Suddenly some of those descriptions of Southern European Summers by writers like Hemingway and Lawrence make much more sense. The opening to Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnol takes on a new significance for someone who has really only known a British July.

I'm learning that the shutters on our windows are for keeping the heat out, as well as the light – we need to forget those ideas of opening all the windows wide "to get a through-draft" – it doesn't work here.

I'm learning to appreciate the rhythms of the day. Do your running around first thing in the morning, shopping, exercise, whatever it is, but do it while the day allows you the luxury of cooler, fresher start. 

I'm learning that the siesta is not a luxury, it is a necessity. I need to stop being so British with ambitions of working nine to five. Sleep after lunch and work until seven, your body will thank you for it.

I'm learning to take my coffee "short" and my water "tall".

I'm learning what it means to really long for the rain. As I awoke from yesterday's siesta, the rumbles of thunder echoing from the Alps were less imposing and ominous and more full of promise and relief. And as the heavy rain drops began to spatter aggressively on the edge of the balcony – red, fat splats on the tiles – and then fall in heavy quantities, I learned how good it is to lean my head over and feel the coolness of the rain soak the back of my head. On the street below some took shelter under the awnings of shops, other were just delighted to walk in the rain, carrying umbrellas unopened by their sides. They know how I feel.

I'm learning that a culture reflects its environment. You don’t run for your bus in this heat, there will be another one in twenty minutes. I'm learning to pace myself and I'm learning to slow down.

After all – August is yet to come.