Topography

Topography Lesson Geography, I was good at it in school but somehow I missed San Marino. I vaguely remember a movie with some lady star of yore making a film about the place, maybe I have got it wrong and it was Monaco, which has a royal house with princesses and a prince or two? San Marino is a republic one of the oldest around and that is why it is unknown. What, no princesses, no romantic castles or a mad king? Sorry no. Just dry republicans, banks and a vinery and wild boars which is of no interest to popular ladies´ magazines like “Halloo”. In Serravalle, near the Apennine Alps; there is a butcher who specialises in cured ham which has some claim to fame, and in San Marino, the capitol city, there is a good restaurant. Humiliation, going through life not knowing about this tiny republic its history and coinage; my shame is total. Should you go there do not drive too fast, because before you know it you are back in Italy, spaghetti Bolognese and smelly toilettes .