Family Day

Well, a second blog in two days....aren't you guys lucky.   I am on my way to Florence and I know that I am going to have heaps to tell you about my time there - again - and really want to tell you about yesterday without cutting it short.

Yesterday my sister and her family came to visit my parents and I in Termoli - except my niece who is currently studying/writing finals.  We first walked around the town and took them to the castle so they could walk through the little allies,  see the church and get a great view of the sea and beach.

My nephew's friend had come with them on the trip and he had never been to Italy before.  He was so excited and wanted photos of everything.  I envied his excitement.  He reminded me of myself when I get to a country for the first time and just want to take everything in....I miss that; though, due to his excitement I was easily able to get him worked up about the beauty of a gelitaria!!!  He was in there snapping pictures...they must have thought he was a nut but I thought it was great!

We then went for a huge family lunch at Rosarios - of course.   To start off my sister wanted a nice meat and cheese platter for the table,   little did she realize what a Rosario Platter was for the table...2 round platters of cold cuts, two of sliced cheese, two of tomatoes and huge mozarella cheese balls, 2 bowls of fried zucchini, two round platters of different types of bruschetta, 3 bowls of rappini and sausage, two baskets of bread, two bowls of olives, two bowls of panchetta and two litres of red wine!  This was just the antipasto - the appetizer.  Every time another platter of food was brought over my sisters eyes would bulge out of her head.  "I just wanted a platter for the table to start us off, this is crazy" she said as she helped herself to some more wine - she didn't want it to go to waste.  "This is a platter Christina," I said "an Italian platter."  

As I said this was just the antipasti,  we still had our meals come out. Everyone ordered pizza, except me...I had pasta of course....and same with my brother-in-law.  My body has gotten used to the copious amounts of food intake here so me I polished my plate and my parents did pretty well too but everyone else was dying...they were ready to explode.  "I cant eat anymore,  I was full after the so-called platter" my sister said pouring the last of wine still not wanting it to go to waste.  

The meal was amazing- of course - but I think it just seemed so good because we had family with us.  We were all excited and everyone was buzzing, and being at Rosario's made it even better.

After about an hour and a half of filling our bellies as much as possible we headed to my dad's town.  My sister hadn't been before and going with my dad was going to be such a great opportunity for her.

Because we took seperate cars we couldn't really point anything out to them so my dad pulls over on the side of the road, tells them all to get out of their car and points to his town on the top of the hill and explaining the climb up the hill.  It was great for my dad.  There is no excitement really for us anymore going there not like after the first time (read about it here        ) so I think having my sister and her family with us brought a little excitement back for my dad.

We first took a little detour to the fresh water spring from my dad's town where everyone took a sip and I even filled up a bottle for my dad - it's some of the best water around and some of the best water you could ever drink.

We then parked the cars at the church in my dad's town and walked around the outside of the town towards my dad's house.   We kind of broke in as we usually do.  The door is always tied up with wire but we just unwind it so we can look in.   We couldn't get down around the back this time because it was overgrown so we decided to head back up toward Maria's house.

My sister and her family had to leave soon because they had a three hour drive back to Casino but my sister wanted to see the house where my dad was born.   The house is located across the alley from Maria's house.  Just as we were about to leave Maria pops out her front door.   We were trying to leave so my sister could get on the road but no....Maria and Gina (who's house where my dad was born) had been waiting for our arrival.   We said we couldn't stay long and that we had just eaten lunch but that means nothing in Italy.   They kept bringing more and more food.  We were thirsty so they brought out 4 different flavours of pop and a pitcher of water.   I was super parched but so stuffed but I felt so bad every time they put a plate in front of my face and said "mangi"  how could I say no....it's rude.  So I ate, we all did, my sisters excuse being "this is a once in a lifetime experience to be here."  We literally ate and left as we had to leave.   They wanted my dad to go back and visit today but the car has to be returned so he said he wasn't able to.

In all the three times I have been to Italy this was probably one of my most favourite days.   I really don't see my sister much and meeting up in Italy and going back to family roots with her was pretty awesome for me and I know it meant heaps to my dad.   It was a great day for all of us,  a filling one but great.   I think last night was the first time on this trip that I didn't eat dinner.

Now I am on a train on my way back to Florence for my last few days in Italy.   I forgot to mention it in my last blog but I went and bought my tickets without my dad, meaning I had to speak Italian... or at least try to.  My mum went with me.  "Do you know what to say?"  she asked.  "Ya pretty much,  I went over everything with dad but I should be fine as long as I don't mix up my languages."   I get really confused with Italian and Spanish...and for me if someone doesn't speak English I resort to Spanish because thats what I did in South America.   I have started understanding more which is great...and spending time with Caroline who is now fluent I heard it more than English when I stayed with her.  

The worst thing about Italian for me is I don't know verbs so all I use are nouns and adjectives haha.  Bad but surprisingly I made myself understood and I almost understood the woman at the train station.  She confused me a bit and I of course really confused her.  We looked at each other at one point and I said "English or Spanish"  "no, solo Italiano" and we both start laughing.  She continues to speak Italian but fast and I really wanted her to slow down but I couldnt remember the word.  So now knowing I cant resort to Spanish or English I did the next language on my list, Sign Language - I have been taking a night course and am moving onto level three next month.  So as she is talking I start rubbing the back of my left hand, the sign for slow because |I couldnt think of anything else - but it obviously didn't work I just looked like a weird girl stroking the back of her hand trying to buy train tickets...lol oh dios mio.   Anyways my horrible Italian wasn't as horrible as I thought.  I told her I needed return, the dates, the times asked questions and pretty much understood the basics of what she was explaining.   It honestly felt really good.   Not having my dad around or Caroline really makes me try which is what I like...I was really proud of myself, even my mom was like "Wow!  That was amazing.  I'm really proud of you...you did well and you understood, but why were you rubbing your hand."  "I couldnt remember how to say slow in Italian so I signed it to her instead."  She burst out laughing.  I should've just said slow in Spanish, it's the same word.

So now I am looking out the train window at the scenery and the Italian green of the countryside.  A green that stretches for miles like a quilt over the rolling hills of the country side that surrounds my dad's town on a hill, a scenery that always takes my breath away.   A green that makes scenery here look painted or an imagined land that Disney thought up.   A green that is only found in this amazing country of my family roots.

I can't believe I fly home in 5 days.

                                                                                           - My Beautiful Life - 

Food, Drinks, Road Trips, More Food....and of course Gelato

After teaching me how to make risotto - which was super yummy - Caroline and I had plans to meet up with my friend Justin and go out for a night on the town. "Be prepared to get extremely drunk tonight!" was the message Justin had left me on my phone.  "We can't drink too much tonight" I said "we have a meeting at my friends school tomorrow around noon so we have to be up and fresh in the morning."   Ya right...like that lasted.

Justin met us at Carolines apartment her and I of course still getting ready.   "I really want to where these heels" I said.  I had bought brand new heels for this trip but not having worn heels in a very long time I didnt know if my feet could last.  "They look hot!" They both said.  "Yes but looks and the ability to walk after a few hours are to different things."  "Emmie," Justin says "wear the heels, take your flats and put them in your purse.  If your feet get sore just change them."  I look at him "how is it you know more about women's shoes then I do?" I said laughing. (I know most girls know this but me not being a heels girl I'm clueless).  Thank goodness the club was just around the corner from Caroline's apartment as I wouldnt have made it as I took a small bag that didnt fit another pair of shoes.

Not 5 minutes in the bar Justin had 10 shots lined up.  "Justin!  I told you, we can't get wasted tonight!"  "Emmie, I don't go out during the week.  I came out for you tonight...drink up!"  So I did...we all did...and not just shots - which frequented the night.   By the end of the night not only was I drunk but I couldnt walk in my heels even though I barely moved from the bar all night.  We stumbled out of the bar, Caroline falling in her heels - walking along the Italian cobblestone is not easy drunk or sober.  "Fuck it!" She said and took her shoes off, I followed suit...Justin carrying heels and purses back to the apartment where we continued to drink whiskey till almost 5am.  We didnt make it to the school the next day.  We did however have a pile of cigarette packs lol.   Justin and I did a smoke run at like 3am.  You have to purchase them from a machine on the street but they dont give you change so when you put in 20 euros you have to spend it so we ended up with five packs of smokes...not like I wanted any the next day.

We went for an amazing lunch at Porcuspino, this restaurant that Caroline frequents and got me hooked on it.  Homemade pasta, wine, champagne....yum yum yum.  The food in Florence is some of the best and I can't get enough of it.  For me its always pasta...doesnt matter what time of day all I eat is pasta.  Papardelle with a meat (boar) sauce.  Pasta filled with ricotta and pairs topped with a butter and cheese sauce which is to die for....sooo good.  Plus the gelato...OMG!  There is nothing like real Italian gelato, and the gelaterias are amazing....they are bright and colourful with creamy gelato topped with fruit behind a shiny glass counter, going in them is part of the whole experience, I get excited just walking by the door.

Anyways...back on track ....after an awesome lunch at Porcuspino we met up with Justin and wandered the streets of Florence.  He bought us gelato and then we took him shopping - for him, not us, he wanted to buy a new shirt.

We planned to meet up the next week as he was going away for work that weekend and Caroline and I had planned a little weekend get away.

Originally we were going to go up to Austria, but with timing and expensive train tickets we decided to rent a car and do a Tuscan road trip.  Our car was awesome, a FIAT 500 in a beautiful pristine white.  With the windows down we drove off into the beautiful Tuscan region...unfortunately driving in Italy is crazy.  They drive fast, cut everyone off, barely use their flashers, pull out from a street in front of you without warning...we had a couple close calls but we made it safe and sound with white knuckles.

We used the GPS on Caroline's phone so we knew how to get to our hotel.  We turn onto this little street that ended in the middle of nowhere with a house on each side.  "This doesn't look like the photo." I said with a giggle. She gets out of the car looks around and gets back in "These are houses, there is no hotel."  We look at the GPS, we typed in the wrong address...thank goodness it definitely didnt look like the type of place we wanted to stay in.  Luckily we just had to go left off the street and drive a few minutes up the road.

For no reason at all they upgraded our room at the hotel, no extra charge!  We walk up to the second floor a little excited.  "I wonder what our room looks like" I said. "Well I already like the smell of the place" she said.  We get to the door of our room, unlock it and walk inside.  We started to giggle "well, if this is the upgrade I would hate to see what the other rooms look like" she said.   It was quaint, one double and one single bed, a phone, no clock, a dresser with a tv and a patio with a view we loved it.

We hopped back in the car and headed toward the city centre of Luca which is still surrounded by its walls.

It was beautiful!  Little tiny cobblestone streets that twist and turn every which way.  It has a dark gothic feel as you walk through the old alleyways that now hold designer stores attracting gullible tourists.  There seem to be more piazzas then |Italy itself.  We had dinner in this amazing piazza that was oval shapped,  the buildings rounded and restaurant patios lining the walls.  The buildings were tall and cracked with flowers hanging on the sills...it was the perfect spot.  

We headed back to the hotel where we decided to sit outside on the restaurant patio, have some drinks and order some antipasto.  Honestly,  I haven't stopped eating since I got here,  I go from dinner to antipasto and sometimes pizza.  I'm never full...the food here is just to good to say no to.  Our waitress told us they were having a special lunch the next day...she even offered to open an hour early for us as we had to leave to get back to Florence because my parents were arriving the next day but we had to politely decline.

Next thing you know, the owner of the hotel sits at our table with another employee and we ended up drinking wine till like 4am.  I must say,  when I drink wine at home I end up with a massive headache the next day, here however it doesnt affect me....I may have wine flu the next day but there is no headache,  I'm thinking its the lack of preservatives in their wine here or at least thats what I tell myself.

We headed back to Florence the next morning met up with my parents,  dropped them off at the apartment and headed off to a vineyard to have lunch.

Finding the place was next to impossible.  We ended up on these narrow windy streets that we had to keep turning around on and driving back because we kept missing the entrance. We finally made it, which was a sharp right and down this little road or more so like a path.  We got to the bottom which had this incredible view but had a house on each side.  Not again.  "Im not sure this is it."  She gets out of the car looks around gets back in "this is definitely not the vineyard."  We check the GPS, wrong address again. "I guess we go back the way we came." I said.  "How the fuck are we supposed  to get the car out of here!" she said.  The road we came in on was almost a 90 degree incline and we were in a standard car.  She starts driving the car up the incline, both of us leaning forward, subconsciously hoping it will help.  We get to the top but have to stop because she has to check for traffic.  The car stalls and starts rolling back.  She slams her foot on the break.  " I have to back up and try again."  We start rolling backwards but the incline is so steep that even though she had the break all the way down we were rolling pretty good.  Images of us rolling all the way down between the two houses and doing a Thelma and Louise backwards into the Tuscan hills played in my mind.  I was not liking the situation.  The car stops, we lean forward and she steps on the gas and we go...all the way up and onto the street.  We didnt say a word to eachother, we were both shaking and had stopped breathing and then we started to giggle.

We finally find the place, or we thought we had,  we ended up at the so called address but it was all residential.  She called the number of the vineyard and the lady told us we were there but we couldnt find it.  We asked a local where it was and he gave us the correct directions which was a miracle.  In Italy even if they dont know where something is they will still give you directions, sometimes you have to ask 5 people before you get the right way or you luckily stumble upon it yourself.

The vineyard was a huge disappointment.  It was huge and industrial looking with no character whatsoever.  The restaurant looked like a huge cafeteria and an ugly patio that barely had a view.  We were in and out in 10 minutes.

It was a good thing we had already driven into the city once that day as it was easier the second time.  The first time we were late meeting my parents because we kept missing turns and rerouting and ended up on the other side of the city.  this time there was less traffic and recognized the streets where we had to turn.

We went for an awesome dinner at Porcuspino with my parents and then wandered around Florence for a couple hours.  Even though I had lived there for a month to study I never got to see Florence.  There is so much to see and every corner you turn there is something different,  a piazza you havent seen, views of the river, the ponte vecchio bridge, we even road the carousel in one of the piazzas.  Something I have done a few times but something Caroline hadn't done so it was on our to do list.

The next day my parents wanted to wander the streets and we went to a Sushi Train restaurant for lunch which was great and then we went to my friend Melissa's school.  One of my reasons for going to Florence was to check out my friends school.  There is a possibility they will be hiring teachers in September so it's something I am looking into.  I want to start teaching again and moving back to Florence would be amazing...nothing is set in stone everything is just talk right now but it is a possibility but that decision is something you will have to wait for.

Seeing Melissa again was great...I forgot how funny she was.  She was sad we didn't get to spend more time together but fingers crossed for the future.

It was my last night in Florence, my parents and I were heading back to Termoli the next day.   We had plans to have dinner with Justin.  He wanted to take us outside of the city center to a real Florence restaurant...a place tourists dont go.  Unfortunately, my parents couldnt make it.  They had been out all day and the 9pm dinners of Italy is not something they are used to and they wanted an early night.  They decided to grab a hotel so Caroline and I could enjoy our last night.

Justin picked us up in his car and we drove to the restaurant,  I wore my heels so I didnt mind.  The food was awesome!  Of course I had pasta.  The servings were massive but I managed to finish the whole thing.  After stuffing our faces we went back to Carolines to change our shoes and headed to the bar for a few drinks.  I was sad because I had to say goodbye to Justin.  I hate saying goodbye to people I have met along the way especially when there is a chance I may not see them again.  But I know I will go back even if its just for a vacation.

After shedding some tears at the train station the next morning Caroline and I said our goodbyes and my parents and I rode the train back to Termoli.

Now I am sick.  I have a throat infection, but you can buy antibiotics here without a prescription so I"m lucky...and, they are super cheap about $5 for 6 days of antibiotics which seem to have started working after 24 hours.

Today my parents and I rented a car and drove to Campobasso City which was a huge disappointment.  It was ugly, polluted and took us over an hour to find a restaurant.  Everyone who gave us directions either sent us to want that wasnt open or one that was under construction.  We ended up at a local watering hole with amazing homemade PASTA!!!  After that we drove to my dads home town, had some wine at the local bar and went and visited our cousin Maria.

Tomorrow my sister will be coming here with her family and we are taking them to lunch at our favourite restaurant - Rosarios - and then up to my dads town to meet Maria and our other cousin Gina!  It's going to be great for my dad.

Now it's time for bed,  it will be a long day tomorrow plus Sunday I am heading back to Florence for my last few days.  I had such a good time I have to go back before heading home.  I promise at least one more blog before my return, until then.

Ciao
                                                                                                    - My Beautiful Life - 

A Mob of Adolescents, The Incredible of this Country and a Leaning Tower.

Well, Im in Italy...again.  My parents and I - very last minute - decided to come to Italy for 3 weeks.  To be honest I wasn't overly keen on the idea at first....I've been here twice already and really wanted to go somewhere I hadn't been before...but; I sent a few messages, made a few calls and decided to go as I was going to take off for a week and go to Florence to visit some friends.

Our flight was fine except I only got an hours sleep, even though it was an overnight flight.   We landed in Rome 9 hours later but we still had 7 hours of travel by train - 3 of them.   The one from the airport into the city centre was the worst.   It was only a 45 minute ride but it was a regional one so it's two levels which is a bit difficult with luggage so I told my parents I would stand at the doorway with the luggage and they could sit down.  After about 20 minutes my mum came to see how I was doing and say we had about 10 more stops until ours....let me tell you....it's a good thing she did.   As we are pulling into the next station my mum says "Oh my god!" and I think you have to be fucking kidding me!  100's of high school kids waiting to get on.  "I hope they aren't all planning  on getting on?!?" Said my mum.  The doors open, they start screaming and running towards the train, pushing and shoving, trying to squeeze 8 people at ones through the door way.  Our luggage was there so people were getting shoved into it, plus the lady beside us had luggage as well...we tried to move to give more room...but to no avail.   A little girl almost got trampeled, people were yelling backwards to tell the adolescent mob to stop.  We were squished shoulder to shoulder, feet almost not touching the ground.  My mum was holding onto my backpack so I wouldn't fall over, I'm holding onto the luggage trying to guard it with my life as I am being pushed right into my mums chest.   They pushed they shoved, they yelled at each other, they yelled over each other, they yelled over us...ughh.  It didn't help when at the next train station only two people got off.   "I can't even see your dad anymore."   "Do you know what stop we are getting off at?"  "No I have no idea."   I could barely move to stretch my neck to see where my dad was.  Another stop...more people get on.  "This is ridiculous!"   "Can we put this here?!?" - in Italian of course -  "No!" I replied harshly.  One of the kids wanted to put his shopping bag on our luggage so he didn't have to hold it over his head....I don't think so.  "Mum I think this is like 8 or 9 stops now, shouldn't we be getting off soon?" "Im not sure and I still haven't spotted your father."  

The train emptied out about 5 stops before ours - way more then 10 stops till ours lol - and my dad appears.   We all start laughing.  

We made our next train with 30 seconds to spare.   Our binario (platform) was at the other side of the station and we only had 3 minutes to get there.   I start sprinting through the station...up an elevator, around a corner, down an elevator across the binario.  Just on time...30 seconds to spare...mum and dad trailing behind me "My suitcase is heavier it has all the alcohol in it" my mum says.

We arrive in Termoli at 10pm, tired and hungry.  Just as we are about to exit the station we hear my dad's name being called.  Who knows my dad?  It was the landlord from our apartment, he came to meet us and help us with the luggage even though its only a 5 minute walk.   It was such a relief and it was the first time I got excited about Italy.   Being back in Termoli was like being home again and being back in the apartment felt just the same.   Lucky for us restaurants are open till 11pm on Sundays.   We knew exactly where we were going, our favourite place,  the place with the best pizza in the world...Marechiaro or as I like to call it Rosario's (the owner).   I walked in the door and Rosario looked at me, his eyes lit up and then he looked at my dad....he was so excited to see us!  Hugs and kisses all around, he couldnt believe that we came there right away, he was so greatful.  

The long hours of travel, no sleep, a mob of children,  running for the train and lack of food was all worth it!  The meal was TO DIE FOR!  The antipasto with fresh meats and the marble like green olives that are unbelievable, the fried zucchini, rapini, the perfect garlic bread, red wine and the pizza that just melts in your mouth!!!  The food in this country is out of this world.   We had like 3 servers at our table making sure we were okay...Rosario was sending stuff to our table that wasn't even on the menu...my stomach is growling just thinking about it.  It was all amazing and it was such an awesome welcome.

We relaxed the next day...we were all pretty exhausted.  We wandered around the town a bit, enjoying the sunshine, a drink at our favourite cafe- Microbar - and I booked my ticket for Florence for the next day.

I really didn't want to get on another train, I was still so exhausted from our travel to Italy but I was going back to Florence!!! I was so excited. Plus, I was staying with a friend of mine - Caroline - who I have known for about 17 years and who has been living and teaching in Florence.

The train wasn't bad at all, 4 hours and one change over.   We wandered around a bit went for lunch at this amazing restaurant where I had an amazing paperdelle with a bolognese boar sauce...so good!!!  We get back to her place..she turns the light on...turns to ask me a question and I was out like a light, fully dressed, face down on the bed. We really just hung out the first few days, talked, did some catching up, went back to that awesome restaurant where I tried a pasta stuffed with ricotta and pears drizzled in a butter sauce....AmAAAzing!!!  Went to the market, drank some wine, made some KD...yes yes KD.  She wanted me to bring her a little care package, KD being one of the items.  

We went out last night to her friends bar.  Its all English speakers, students, expats.  There is live music and you sit around and play games such as backgammon, cards, cribbage  its pretty cool; but what is really cool is Carolines Italian...holy cow!  She is amazing in it.  She was like me when I went to Peru..only a few words but her Italian is 100 times better then my Spanish...Im actually kind of jealous lol.

Today we went to Pisa!!! I was so excited!!! I had it on my bucket list and had promised myself I would take a day trip there while I was here.  To be honest, there is really not much to say about it.  Pisa itself is really not that extraordinary,  its kind of yucky.  It's got a canal through the centre of the city but the wall on either side is old and dirty and makes it look ugly.   The tower is in a walled in part of the city with a few other buildings.  It was super packed today and so hot!!   Hotter then Florence and we were wearing sweaters.   The Leaning Tower is the last building but you can see it in the arched entrance way before you even walk into the walled area of the city.

It's actually really cool and it really is leaning lol.  It's so strange really...there you are looking at this building that is used as a museum and people at the very top yet its at an angle...it's just something you don't see everyday.  I was stoked to be playing tourist and went into all the shops and looked at the vendors, bought a gelato, took  pictures from every angle and of course had to be like everyone else and take pictures that looked like I was leaning on or pushing the tower....I couldnt resist.  I was so into being a tourist that when I handed my camera to a young woman to take a picture of me Caroline and her dog in front of the tower eating gelato she said "do you have a napkin?"  I had gelato all over my camera screen...lol...Im' like such a kid sometimes.

Now she is teaching me how to make risotto...yum yum and then later tonight we are going out with my friend Justin who I am stoked to see again ( friend that owns the hostel).

Ciao ciao