In Sardinia everything shuts between 1pm and 4pm. If you’re used to the 24hr culture of most cities across the UK this can be somewhat irritating. That is, until you adopt the Italian habit of relaxing in a shady pavement cafe, enjoying a lingering lunch or taking a siesta in the heat of the day. Then you can conserve your energies for the early evening passeggiata when everyone wanders round town to see and be seen.
In this quiet time of day there is one species of Sardinian that gathers in groups on the shady benches and quiet squares. He’s an older man, slightly balding with a tummy that speaks of years of being well fed on pasta and the local Cannonau red wine. Where is his wife? – why at home of course, while he passes the time of day with his peers, discussing politics, local issues, setting the world to rights.
You see them in groups of four or five in familiar discussion with others they have probably known all their lives. The friends they went to primary school with, attended each other’s weddings, did business together and now hang out with in retirement. And even if their mate’s still finishing his siesta, they can still sit on a bench, in the shade and just watch the world go by.
More Sardinia articles to enjoy
Medieval frescos at Orosei – in Sardinia
Hotel Co-op Enis at Monte Maccione – in Sardinia
A tour of the best beaches in Sardinia