Today I read about this tiny town, Viganella, in the Italian Alps, with population of only 200, that virtually receives no sunshine from November to February. Can you imagine that? Many of the town's resident's are elderly and have a difficult time dealing with the cold darkness; not too good of a life, if you have to stay inside all the time because of the cold. Now these people have been blessed with sunshine and now they can sit out in the sunshine.....

See http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061218/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_italy_mirror

Brighter days are ahead for them.

Well done the Mayor of that town - what a brilliant idea! Wish somebody would do something like that here in England - it's always dull and miserable here!!

Great idea!
I'll bet the village people are ecstatic about that. I'd be all bundled up and standing around in the sun all day!

I think if I had to live in a place with no sunshine for months I would... well, move. :)

teresa

That is indeed a great thing Mayor Midali did in Viganella.

I wonder what he would recommend for the northern part of Alaska where they have darkness (no sunlight) for about a two month period. A few years back, statistics showed that the suicide rates for those who live in the northern half of Alaska was etremely high in proportion to the other states, however, the rates increase in the Spring. Why might that be?
http://www.alaska.com/about/weather/story/4481284p-4773632c.html

Barolo, is it really gloomy all the time in England? My mom is communicating with several people from England, exchanging jello which is different, rootbeer, taffy, etc.. and learning a lot about the differences here in the US and there in England. When we visit Europe, she wants to stay several extra days in England. I will either come home, or stay a few extra days in Italy. I'm not sure what she will do because apparently her friends don't like to drive in London?