57, 53 Everyone Knows it's That House...

This is so surreal, but so Italian.

It is hard to believe.

When we were signing the purchase agreement, the Notary was required to read the Sale Contract aloud.
At which point she said that the house number was “57”. And it was also written in the legal Contract Agreement that the house was number “57.”
I said, Signora, I think the number is “53”. ( It really is 53. )

She said, ( and this could ONLY happen in Italy )…”57… 53, Everyone knows it’s that house.
UNBELIEVABLE.

In what part of the world would the number of the house not be important?

Then we go to the Comune in Todi with the bill of sale, to let them know we are the new owners. The woman behind the desk pulls out a book slightly smaller than 8.5” x 11” but it is at least 8”-10” thick. How old IS this book?

She finds our town in the huge book, locates the address and sees that “57” is owned by Paolo, Angela with children Angelo, Marco, Maria, etc. Then she says that this can’t be the place. I said, no it is “53” where she finds Barbara’s name and without hesitation or providing any proof, scratches her name out like she is writing holding a pen with a fist. She looks up and says… “Nome?” ( Name)

Hard to believe, but you have got to love them.