Because I always assume my readers are a bit like me, and tend to forget stuff, here is the recent photo to refresh your memory.
That fellow was enjoying a time of meditation and hope on the banks of the Bisenzio River in Prato. Prato is a city of about 190,000 in the Tuscany region of Italy. It’s about 30 minutes by train to Florence, so that was convenient.
An article from 2020 comments: “In the Tuscan city of Prato, Italy, there are nearly 5,000 workshops run by Chinese entrepreneurs turning out cheap clothing for the fast-fashion companies of Italy and Europe. Many of these workers sleep in their factories and work more than 14 hours a day under sweatshop conditions.”
https://riverdalepress.com/stories/china-finds-new-way-to-invade,71607
So, not the most pleasant of cities to live in, perhaps.
Hello World 
I knew Italy was dealing with declining birthrates and was running out of ‘Italians’ but I had no clue the Chinese were moving in on Italy’s fine history in textiles and fashions.
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You’ll find that, at least pre-Covid, the Chinese had moved in big time, in many areas of Italian commerce.
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Thank you for the reveal…but wowza! Very sad, indeed. 😦
(((HUGS)))
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Thanks a lot 🙂
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Prato it is indeed! I remember that wall – and the grass. Shocking article. We no longer buy Chinese, but it leaves very little choice – especially since I’m such a fashion icon.
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I know what you mean about being fashion icons. People look at us with what can only be described as envy.
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As you know only too well, being a fashion icon can become tiresome. I compare it to the tiresomeness of being a billionaire.
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What a sad story! We spent a night in the old part of Prato several years ago and I was fascinated by the area around the Duomo (as you recall that wonderful balcony, for showing off the Virgin’s belt). China is really getting it’s hands into everything!
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So many unfortunates hidden away from prying eyes, eh?
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I’ve never heard of Prato, yet it’s a very big city. Time we went on a holiday to Italy. 🙂
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Yes, a trip (anywhere) is long overdue, et.
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Thanks for the answer, but boy! That article was an eye-opener.
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The things that go on, eh?
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