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

A Quick Goodbye in Florence

Well this will be short and sweet.

I arrived in Florence so tired.  I slept a bit on the train but got woken up by a passport check and then 4 people came into my empty cabin, and  decided 330 in the morning was a perfect time for a conversation.  Three of them left and then the girl who was still in there decided it was a perfect time to get to know me and ask me about my life – her in broken English and me in Broken Italian.  I even went on my tablet to write my blog but she still wanted to become besties.

I got to Justin’s hostel at 630am.  He waited for me so he could let me, again helping me out for nos reason at all.  He is such a sweetheart and super lucky I met him.

After I finally got some sleep and a shower I went over to the school to see my trainers and directors and I also got to talk to this months class.  They are stressing just like I was last month.  It made me smile. They were asking me questions about the exam, I told them I cant answer wuestions but if they study the practice test at the back of their grammar book they will be fine.  “there is a practice test at the back of the grammar book?”. Haha.

I met up with Ina(from my class) and we went for wine at one of my favourite placed.  We moved to the bar across from the hostel where Ben met us.  It was so good to see him.  I know it was only a couple of days since I had seen him but after having a bit of a low spurt I really needed to hang with him one last time.

We didn’t do much.  We went out that night and drank way too much.  Riding the carousel and bar dancing was involved – mostly on my end – the next day was pretty much a write off.  Ben could barely function and I, well, I was hurting.  Neither of us expected to wake up feeling like we did but mixing spirits with red wine is definitely not the best idea.

The next day was our goodbye day – again – except this time I cried.  To think it literally has been only three weeks since we met; it feels so much longer.  We have done so much in the past three weeks its hard to believe it has been that short of a time.  It was epic though, some of the best times I have had traveling.

I stayed at Melissa’s that night (she graduated the month before me) we drank wine, she cooked a fantastic dinner, finally a home cooked meal, and we curled up with a blanket on the couch and had a Twilight marathon…it’s the girly thing to do. I love her and will miss her, she has been such a great friend.

Now Melissa and I have parted ways and I am sitting on the airport terminal waiting for my next destination… Barcelona.  Hot sun and relaxation for the weekend. See you there.

 

                                                                                                                          -My Beautiful Life-




 

Pushed to My Limits, Angels and the Evil Lady

After my first day of class I went back to my apartment and cried my eyes out.   The work load I had already was crazy, plus, we were already told we were teaching in two days!!! Who was I kidding?!?  Where ever did I get the idea that I could be a teacher?  I was in way over my head.  Plus I had an apartment to myself in a strange city that I felt so disoriented in - every time you turn down a street there is a bar or another piazza.  There are so many piazza's in Florence its unreal. I have never felt so disoriented in a city the way I did in Florence.

I pushed through the first week not looking at anything but assignments and lesson plans for my teaching practice's.   I hadn't been in school for 8 years so getting back into it was difficult; but we did have a lot of work and it just kept piling and of course there was our grammar studying OMG.  I was a big grammar fail!  There was so much to know in such a short period of time; parts of speech, grammatical functions, functions of primary auxiliary and modal verbs, verb forms, sentence correction and why they are wrong grammatically. Tenses, and I just don't mean past present and future there is more to it then that; the simple tense, the perfect tense, continuous tense, perfect continuous tense and don't forget about intonation and pronunciation.  See what I mean? That plus homework.  I didn't have time to study because by the time I finished assignments and lesson plans it was 3am and I had to be up by 7am.

I was so relieved when the weekend came.  To take a bit of a brain break and enjoy myself a little bit

was great.  We (Liz - my tefl sister. Her boyfriend Jimmy  and I) went out on the town, had some drinks and rode the carousel in the center of the city.  It was great until the next morning when I saw that my wallet was gone!  Yup gone...everything gone.  We flipped our apartments but nothing, we retraced our steps.  I had had it at the bar before we went to their place and then from there my place.  We checked the bar the streets and nothing.

When I went to school on Monday I mentioned it and everybody was right on it.  My landlord (the directors wife and our Italian teacher) and Stephanie (assistant director) were on the phone to the consulate, asking questions and waiting for other phone calls while I was in class.  In a few hours they had gotten in touch with the right people who told me I had to go to Rome ASAP.  Rome?  That meant I would have to take a day off school. Plus I had no ID and I couldn't check in anywhere without an ID!  More stress!  My wonderful landlady (Mariagrazia) waited for me to finish class and then took me to the Carabinieri so I could file  police report.   They were so nice and he even called another cop because I had the same last name as him and he wanted to see if we were related.  We were in and out in 20 minutes.  Mariagrazia gave me a high five and then a big hug and a kiss.  I realized in all of this madness when I felt like everything was lost I was truly blessed with people who barely knew me but still did everything in their power to help me.  Sometimes it takes something bad to realize the good you are surrounded with, and to top of the amazing hearts of those around me, Jen - one of my trainers - got in touch with one of last months graduates that is living in Rome who was more than happy to have me stay with her for a night and , Jen also rearranged things so she could give me a private lesson on Friday and my assignments were pushed from Monday to Tuesday.  I literally felt like In was surrounded by Angels.

In was extra stressed for the second week due to everything that was going on.  I was doing everything I could to keep up with everything but I was still struggling with my grammar and I didn't feel that I was being an effective teacher in my teaching practice's.  By the end of the week I was ready to throw in the towel.  I was honestly being pushed, mentally pushed and emotionally pushed.  But I so wanted this.  It is so important to me to get this and that was one of the things that kept me going,  I would also be so disappointed in myself and probably regret not fighting for it till the very end.  After teaching practice one day, Rebecca and I just started crying with our trainer Tracy.  I will tell you something.  These women that I am so lucky to have trained under really do have faith in their students.  Tracy told me that even if a lesson doesn't go right I never give up and I am giving my all and pushing my students for everything I can get from them.  That I have a great presence at the front of the class and my determination is a great quality to have as a teacher.  Everyone had faith in me except me, but I figured if they saw something then I might as well keep going.

The weekend came and I really wanted to focus as I was loosing a day going to Rome but it didn't stop me from going out Friday night to the bar right next door to my apartment.  I started speaking to a girl about my wallet and she asked me my name.  She started saying something to the bartender who then handed me my wallet!!! It was found on the sidewalk the previous Saturday.  They had been showing my passport picture around to see if anybody knew who I was, they were going to turn it in to the carabinieri on the Monday.  Everything was in it except my money.  I had never been to that bar before so I never thought to look in there.  More Angels.

Rome ended up being exactly what I needed!  Instead of being a stress bag it completely relaxed me.   I arrived on Sunday morning and ended up going out with last months graduates  for the whole day.  We had Chinese food for lunch, went to the Fontana de Trevi, the Pantheon, waited for 20 minutes in a shoulder to shoulder crowd to have some of the best gelato, chilled out on the Spanish steps and talked about grammar, then finished the night off with a wonderful dinner.

This is us waiting in line just to pay for the gelato.  We haven't even gotten to the back where all the flavors are.

This would be us enjoying the yummy gelato that was worth the 20 minute wait.  People actually step on you and push you out of the way to get it.

 

 

The next day Mel (one of the girls I was staying with) took me to the embassy ND waited two hours while I was in there.  The people at the embassy were incredible.  The gentleman I had been emailing with answered all my questions and said it wasn't (meaning my questions) an issue as they were there to help me and ask all the questions I needed to.  Then the woman that helped me at the embassy filled out some of my paperwork for me, helped me with all the details and was so friendly.  I was so impressed with how helpful they were, they really helped lighten my situation... even more Angels.

 

I got my home work and assignments done on the train and emailed them over so they were there by the morning.  I pushed through the week but with a little more ease. I felt so relaxed after Rome.  I think a day out of Florence really did me some good.  I was getting my assignments done and I finally got in some grammar study with Liz which helped wonders.  I was able to participate in class and was motivated for new grammar because I was finally getting it.  It felt good and took a load off.  My teaching was better than I thought it was, I guess because I felt  more relaxed I couldn't feel any improvement, I felt so ambivalent about my teaching.  My first day I was petrified, I wanted to call on sick, or just not show up. "They must be mad if they think I can do this!" I thought while reminding myself that if I want to be an EFL teacher I was obviously going to have to teach; which resulted in me asking myself my famous question "what the fuck did I get myself into!"

 

The weekend came and we were given the first half of our exam which was a take home grammar test.  Plus Mel was in from Rome and was spending 4 nights at mine so I had a roommate which was great!  Friday night is my drinks night so after some wine after class we went  to the bar by my place for drinks.  I felt like poo the next day, but that didn't stop me from starting and finishing my take home within a couple hours.

 

The last week had slowed down.  Our assignments were all handed in and it was just studying. We still had our teaching practice but it was more challenging because we had no guidelines for our lessons so we were building them from scratch ... lol I can do that now.   I was so nervous for the exam on Thursday, I felt like throwing up.  I am not a good test taker at all, my brain goes blank like a white board which is what happened during the exam.  Most of it was on tenses which I can do in my sleep and I just blanked on the test.  Everything I had over studied - the stuff I struggled with - had one question each on the test.  Of course. But, I finished it... I studied so hard and it was the last leg of the journey. I was exhausted and just so happy it was over, but I wasn't relieved.   I wouldn't be relieved until I knew if I past or not.

 

We went for drinks to celebrate. Which ended up in lots of drinking lol.  I was supposed to meet up with this guy I met the week before at the bar by my house but he ended up bailing so I was in bed by midnight...which was nice and early for me and made the next day that had been looming over my head since day one come quicker.

 

I was so nervous and so emotional on the inside.  I had been emotional through this whole course.  It was so important for me to pass, to accomplish a goal I have been contemplating for 2 years, one that fell through earlier in the year and changed things for me.  I was the first to g in and talk to Jen and Tracy.

 

"You studied your butt off. We could tell.  You have come so far and have improved so much.....".   Guess who is officially an EFL teacher?!?  I fucking did it!  I have never been Stroud of myself and it feels so good.  I even got to tell someone I was a teacher lol. I am also  certified to teach business English.

 

These past four weeks have probably been some of the toughest weeks of my life.  I feel tht this course really broke me to see what I was made of and to be honest I'm one tough little cookie.  With everything that happened, even though I wanted to I never gave up and pushed myself.  One of the toughest things was even though I had Liz and Jimmy I was on my own.  I had no one to come home and talk to or hang out with and release some of that pressure,  it was the first time in a long time that I have been on my own and it freaked me out.  I've always had someone around the past few years even of it was just in a hostel, so I was really tested with this.  It was so worth it, I would do it all over again and I thank everyone at Vis Lingua for everything especially for showing me how great of a teacher I truly am and am growing to be even better every day.  And of course a big thank you to my classmates, we were small but we were definitely a little army and so glad you were the ones I got to fight with ... OK?!?

 

That evening we walked to the other side of the river and went up to the church to hear the Vespers ....the monks sing a Gregorian chant at sunset, super awesome!  Then went to Piazza del Michelangelo where we had a full view of Florence.

 

Saturday morning Jimmy and Liz came over to take me to the train station as I was leaving for Paris.  My wonderful landlady came as well as I was leaving my amazing apartment and had to unwillingly hand over my keys.  She smoothed it over by bringing me a kinder egg for Pasqua (Easter), and said I am more than welcome to stay there whenever I want.

 

There were no trains to Paris from Florence because it was the long weekend and the Italians love their holidays.  "I can not help you!" the woman said unkindly, but she sold me a ticket to Milan where I hoped I could get a ticket.  When I arrived the station packed and the information booth was closed with a sign that said no ticket sales.  Great!??!?? I asked one of the station officers where I could by tickets and headed that way.  When I got there I only found ticket machines and know actual person.  This guy asked me if I needed a ticket and I said I needed the ticket office so he showed me where it was but I had a really bad feeling about him.   Once we got there I thanked him (in Italian of course) but he wouldn't leave.  He was muttering under his breathe and giving me a really creepy smile. I told him repeatedly I didn't understand him and then finally he told me he wanted money for showing me where the office was.  I told him no but he insisted I had money because I was buying a ticket.  I said I had enough for a ticket and that was it, thank you for your help goodbye.  He wasn't happy but it worked.

 

 Again no tickets "I can't help you." She wouldn't even sell me a ticket to another country she said e erupting was sold out which I found hard to believe.  Then I asked for one back to Florence. " ma'am I don't know why you keep asking me I can not help you." Then she would turn and talk about me in Italian to her colleague.  I will tell you something, if you know someone personally (in Italy) they will do anything to help you out, but in any other case they could give two shits they just tell you know and that's it they won't find a way to help you.  I had no idea Pasqua was going to be like this and I couldn't book anything in advance because I was waiting for my passport which arrived Friday and then had trouble with my new credit card and had to deal with that.  As she was pretty much yelling at me for no reason I said to her "I asked you for a ticket to Florence" No was her answer.

 

I had no WiFi so I couldn't even look up hostels in Milan but I still at some point had to make it up to Amsterdam and according to the evil woman downstairs she couldn't give me a train till the first of May.  I was so pissed, and I didn't believe her.  I went to a ticket machine and you will never guess what I found...a ticket to. Florence.  My god I just wanted to go back down and give her shit but I was so tired and upset and had too much to carry I just sat on the concrete floor for 5 hours hoping to god I wouldn't get hemroids from it lol.  I managed to grab the horrible WiFi  connection and message Justin, the guy I had met the previous week.  He owns a hostel right across from my apartment.  He said he would keep a bed open for me.  I also managed to send Liz and Jimmy a message that I was coming back.

 

When I saw Liz at the train station I just wanted to cry.  10 hours of a pointless journey.  We went for drinks at the bar to wait for Justin.  After he checked me in and Liz and Jimmy sussed the place out they headed home.  I was exhausted but Justin said after the other night not happening we had no excuses. It was midnight but he managed to find a place that made us an amazing pizza.  We then went for drinks at an Irish pub and then at 2am we went to this vip club that is after hours and I had to buy my membership before I walked in the door.  I didn't get to bed till 630 in the morning, I had almost been up for 24 hours. I had so much fun and Justin is an awesome guy and really came through for me even though I barely knew him.  He even pretended we were in Paris so I wouldn't feel so bad.

I had an email from the hostel on Paris, they couldn't accept my reservation for Saturday night as they were fully booked. Haha everything happens for a reason right?  I guess that is why the universe made me meet the evil woman lol it was all worth it.  Saturday night was a blast but I tell ya.  I was so tired and hangover the next day I could barely do anything.  I had an Easter family dinner with Liz and Jimmy but had to go home right after lol.

 

I decided to grab my flight to Amsterdam the next day, but due to the holidays there were no buses.  Great!  I reserved a cab but it wasn't in the piazza at 530 in the morning.  I called them and they were on the other side in front of McDonald's so I was walking  over and he left.  Ahhhhh.  Omg!  So unreliable.  I found one at the bus station fast but something happened.  This blood curling scream came out of the bus station.  A woman screaming for two minutes like she was being attacked. MI wanted to cry, no one did anything, not even me.  No one ran towards it or called the cops,  they just stopped and stared it was so awful.

 

I love Florence with its little hidden streets and dog poop covered streets.  Its my favorite city in Italy and I am going to miss it.  Now I am in Holland.  I have arrived safe and sound but you are gonna have to wait for the next blog.

 

Ciao for now

Teacher Emmie

 

                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Train Trip and Homework

We all ended up with gastro.  Just when my dad was getting better and able to get out of bed my mom was bed ridden. Then I got it the next day, mine was more like a nauseous hangover so I wasn’t as bad; but we did however lose a full week of our trip.

We had one we left together before my parents and I parted ways so this week has been super busy.

My dad booked train tickets and off we went on a six hour train ride to Milan.   We literally had 24 hours to enjoy Milan before we has to hope onto a train to our next destination. 

When we arrived in Milan I was not impressed. “Great,” I thought, “it’s just another city. It’s nothing spectacular.”  However we were there for my dad, he really wanted to go for the architecture so Milan was for him.  Boy, was I taken by surprise!!! 

Milan is incredible!!! The buildings themselves are a sight to see.  They are so ornate with big statues of muscled men that seem to be holding up the window ledges above them on their shoulders. There are big and small carvings over windows, doors and archways. All buildings (including apartment buildings) seemed to have an open gallery with a garden.  Everywhere we turned and looked there was something to see.

We went and saw the original painting of The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci…pretty cool!  Then we walked in (what we think) was once the moat around Sforesco Castle.  I can’t give you much information here as the castle was closed so we didn’t get to tour it and get the history but I can tell you it is massive!!!

From there we kept walking and ended up in the shopping district!!! Wow!!! I am a budget girl but wow I wanted to spend money here, I didn’t care on what but I just wanted to spend it.  I almost walked away with brand new Cavalli sunnies that were on sale but I break my sunnies all the time and just couldn’t wrap my brain around spending the money on them, my dad even offered to buy them for me but I couldn’t.  My dad however had no problem welcoming his shopping bug with open arms and spending heaps of money on hats and scarves!!! Both my mom and I walked out with empty hands but not my dad oh no he was having a blast buying hats for every occasion!

Now I knew nothing about Milan before we went so what our saw next just made us speechless…all my dad could say was “FUCK”. The church, San Bernardino alle Ossa, is something words cannot describe.  Its huge, beautiful and like nothing else I have ever seen before.  It is made from marble with the ornateness that is Milan but 100 times more.  There are statues and sculptures on and in the walls, the roof looks like a white dripped sandcastle yet so delicate almost like a doily; and right at the top of each point is a statue of a pope or saint. Every single one being a different person…it took our breath away.   We went in, but it doesn’t compare to the outside.

Next we went to Il Duomo, the famous domed plaza which is incredible. Its covered yet outside, its got stores and cafes down each walkway.  Paintings underneath the domed ceiling along with huge sculptures on each corner of the buildings in the center and ornate designs running along the buildings.

We went to this awesome lounge bar on the second floor that had a patio overlooking the piazza and San Bernardino.  €33 for 3 drinks lol, but my dad didn’t seem to mind, he was buzzing with the ci e from the city. 

Milan has a vibe, it’s like it is just buzzing with excitement, even later on when it quits down it still has an excitement about it that seemed to be filling us with immense happiness.

By the time we got back to our hotel we had been trekking the city for 6 hours (by foot) and wanted to be up early enough to do the roof top walk at San Bernadino before catching the train the next morning.  The roof top walk was amazing. Just my dad and I went my mom was really tired.

It was supposed to open at 9am but Italian but Italian time works different than normal time so they were still setting up when we got there.  We paid more money so we could take the elevator up which was a good choice, there is no way my vertigo would’ve aloud me to make it all the way to the top as I felt the height as soon as we got off onto the roof, but my light headedness and stumbling feet were worth the view up there.

The ornateness of the church from up there was mind blowing.  There were sculptures around the towers and between those statues were statues inside openings.  Over every archway was a satue or carving but every single one was different.  I really don’t know how to explain it as I am horrible with descriptions…but wow…seriously…wow, wow, wow! We even went up to the very top which included me walking up a set of stairs and my vertigo wanting to come out even more and torture me…but like I said…so worth it.

We were lucky we made it to our train on time as the local trains and subways were on strike so there was heaps of traffic, and the next day the cabs were going on strike so luck was on our side.  The 3 our train ride seemed longer than our 6 our train ride to Milan but that’s because this train there was mo place to buy a snack and second class meant a stuffy cabin with six people.

Our next stop for 3 days was in a little fishing village on the west coast called Monterosso al Mare in Cinque Terre.  Cinque Terre are five fishing villages that can only be accessed by train or a walking trail.  The town seemed so quaint after being in ornate Milan but it was so pretty.  All the buildings are different colours and they line the little streets that have cafes,restaurants and shops.  Every little alley way leads to a hidden restaurant or shop. 

It was a mission for us to get there.  When we got off the train we ended up pretty much right on the beach and an unpaved road…which mean…the tunnel to get to the part of town we needed to get to could on be accessed by foot and going up around and down.  I don’t think the wheels on my dad’s suitcase were too happy has he banged it around but they survived and so did we celebrating with a nice drink after we checked in.

Dinner was so yummy… I had pasta baked in a red wine sauce…yum yum.  I loved it so much I told the server (in my broken Italian) that I wanted the recipe.  Well…after we were done our delicious meals she came over and said the chef was ready for me in the kitchen!!! Can you believe that!  I was so not expecting that to happen.  I go onto the kitchen with a chef who doesn’t speak English and I had to get the recipe in Italian …what I didn’t understand I asked my dad but I understood most of it :). Then my mom and I went to the local bar where we met the owner and chatted with him all night.

The next day we planned to take the hiking trail over to Vernazza (the next town).  After almost an hour my mum said she couldn’t any further.  It was pretty intense…see it tricks you.  It starts with a nice path that goes around the rocks over the water – of course teasing my vertigo.  Then you get into the bills where you just climb up and up me getting slower and slower as my vertigo gets worse and worse and my mums arthritis killing her knees…plus it was a hot day.  The sun was shining and people were at the beach…it was a beautiful day.  We turned around and went back and then a couple hours later we took the train to the next town which only took 5 minutes…way easier.

Vernazza is smaller than Monterosso.  It has one main street that goes down to the water, though there is no beach.  It is not like Monterosso where every little street you turn down has a hidden treasure, in fact they were small and claustrophobic like and you didn’t even feel like you were outside and they were dark with the buildings rising 4-5 stories high…and the stairs…OMG…we had to climb so many. We walked all the way to the top where the castle is where we then climbed the tower steps and got a 360° view of the town.  I’m telling you, Italy likes to play with my vertigo, the climb up and down the tower was not fun; or jp and down the town steps…my poor head lol.

The next day was our last day.  We sat on the patio and had drinks and then went to CIAK and had the freshest tastiest mussels in the world…enjoying the sunshine and a few bottles of wine out in the courtyard where the restaurant’s patio is.  Had some more drinks and then went to the bar. Man, did I regret all those drinks the next day.

Our train ride was only 3 hours but it was an open ticket and basically a train people take to work so we weren’t overly comfortable and we had to transfer…and I had a horrible case of wine flu…ughh I felt horrible…damn wine lol.

Our last stop together was Florence.  We were pretty stoked as we had heard so many great things about it but it just doesn’t seem to have the same buzz as Milan.  However I was pretty stressed out as I am living here for the next month.

Remember the TEFL course I was supposed to take in Thailand in January that got cancelled and I had to stay in BC…well I am taking it in Florence (and yes this one is legitimate).  I had my first class today.  Honestly, it is going to be such an intense course and I got extremely overwhelmed on class today…so much so I got some anxiety.  My famous words came to my head “ what the fuck did I get myself into!”. But, this is something I have wanted to do for the past couple of years and I knew it was gonna be tough, I just hope I can do it.  Plus I am overwhelmed with being here on my own.  I mean, I know I have traveled the world on my own but think about it… in Cali I met Ryan, in Aus I met Dan and in BC I had Isam.  This is the first time in a long time I have been on my own…plus, my flat mate backed out so I have the place to myself.  “You are lucky to be on hour own.” My landlady said but to be honest I wanted to run into my mums arms and go home with her…I know, I know, I’m a huge suck.

So now here I am on my own little apartment typing away to you guys with Italian anime on tv…man do I miss English tv.  I must go though, I need to cook up some sustenance so I can study and do homework.

Oh great… HOMEWORK!

                                                                                      -My Beautiful Life -

 

 

 

 

Through the Ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum

I was only in transit for 24 hours to get to Italy, which is actually not that long – for me.   It was actually made easier as I flew from Kelowna to Pearson where I met my parents and then we had the same flight to Italy so layover time was spent drinking and catching up rather than just me doing nothing for 5 hours.

We landed in Rome and this time my parents had actually hired a car so we weren’t running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to figure out how we were gonna get to Termoli.  Things were running a lot smoother this time as my parents were a little more prepared.

  

We were all quite tired when we arrived in Termoli, almost too tired to be excited, but still happy nonetheless.

This time my parents decided to rent an apartment as we are here for a month and wanted a home base.  We

have the ground floor with a big patio that looks right on to the beach where we sit out and have red wine with breakfast which consists of bread, roasted peppers, fresh cut meat and parmasen and lemon cake. Yum yum.

The apartment itself is quaint but rustic or maybe I should say rusty as many things are falling apart.  Door handles fall off,  hot showers last 8 minutes and then the water is freezing, the handle is falling off the frying pan, there are no garbage baskets or a basket for the laundry, the plaster is falling off the walls in the bathroom and it flies everywhere when blow drying our hair.   Other than that though I love the place, we have a lot of windows so the morning sun shines in and when we open all the windows there is the constant soothing sound of the waves from the Adriatic.

We are quite familiar with Termoli as we were here last time so wandering around town to shop and eat is easy.   We have our favourite restaurant which we eat at almost every night/day.  The owner and the server even remembered us from last time.  Our first night the owner baked our pizza into the shape of a heart!  Yum yum.  They make the best pizza in the world there.  It literally melts in your mouth.

Our first couple of days were spent relaxing and visiting my dad’s town.   The first day we went though it was raining and windy and the restaurant/bar was closed so we decided to leave it till the next day.  On our way back however we decided to visit one of the other towns; Larino.   We were so hungry so we decided to stop at a little place on the side of the road.  It ended up being a coffee bar and not really much else but the owner told my dad to follow him and he would take us to a nice restaurant.   Nice restaurant indeed!   They were so nice and wouldn’t even let us order off the menu.  They wanted us to have their homemade pasta and sauce along with their homemade wine.  Honestly, my tastebuds and stomach have been in heaven since we got to Italy.   I’m always hungry,  well actually, not always hungry but if food is infront of me I can’t be rude so I just eat all the time; and there is always food!!!   When we go out and order a glass of wine or mixed drink they bring, chips, mini sandwiches and cakes and with coffee’s you get cookies.   Mmmm coffee.   Now those of you who know me know that I don’t drink coffee,  that I am a huge tea buff; I have tea for everything.  Sleepy tea, green tea, black teas for the morning, ginger tea to settle my stomach, roibos tea to relax, basically one for every occasion. However I have been drinking coffee here….I love it!  I had my first espresso last week and thought “ya, I could drink this every day,” which  I have been pretty much everyday since then.  It is so good here and the perfect size and no jitters from it at all.  In fact, I just finished a cappuccino.   Hey, if I’m eating Italian I might as well drink what they drink!

The next day we went back to my dad’s town where we enjoyed the homemade wine,  a fantastic lunch and a visit with our cousin (a few times removed) Maria.  She popped her head out the door, looked at my dad and said “Nicola!”  My dad gets a glow when he is with people from his home town it lifts up my heart to watch him and listen to him speak his dialect.  

Maria brought us in and gave us cookie’s and espresso (my first one) and made a phone call to another cousin (Maria) who we had never met.   It can be difficult as they don’t speak any English at all.  They will look me in the eyes and talk and all I can do is smile, then I have to look at my dad for translation.   I do understand a bit of Italian and I can speak very broken Italian as I have been studying the language for about a year now (since our last time out here), but they speak the town’s dialect so I do not understand much when they are speaking.    

                                                            Me with Maria and Maria

After a nice visit with Maria (and Maria) we went for lunch and a walk through the town.  We went to my dad’s old house again.  I of course let myself in to the abandoned house only to be surprised by a makeshift closet and jeans hanging in it.   Someone is living there (or squatting).   “How dare they!” I said.  “They can’t just move into our house daddy!”   “Technically it is not ours anymore honey.  It hasn’t been for a long time.”  “I know, but still.”   

It was really different this year going back home (as I call going back to my dad’s town).   It wasn’t emotional  at all.   My dad said he felt more like a tourist, that he enjoyed himself more as he was more relaxed and not overrun with emotion.   We wandered the streets taking pictures and looking in windows of abandoned buildings.   My dad began talking to an old(er) woman sitting outside the small church only to find out that she was another cousin!!!  Crazy!   Well it is a small town and some people have never left so meeting relatives is pretty much a given.

We went to Naples for a few days.  The drive there was an adventure.   We have a GPS so it has been a saviour for us but it doesn’t make the driving here easier.   Naples is on the other side of the country so it is about a 3.5 hour drive and mostly highway driving.  I don’t know if you have ever been to Italy and if you have if you have ever had the pleasure of driving around because it is intense.   The speed limit signs are very few and don’t really inform you about the decrease or increase in speed ahead.  It goes from 50 km/h to 80km/h and then all of a sudden you are in a part that is 130 km/h!!!  The only reason we knew the change in speed is because hour GPS (who we have named Dickie – after Charles Dickens due to his old English accent)  has the speed limit posted on the screen. People were zipping by like it was nothing.  Even when it was 80 they were doing way over the speed.  The Autostrada is really windy  going through the mountains and on top of the craziness and intensity of the driving my vertigo was going crazy!!!  I thought it was the crazy driving but I was calm when we were in the flat area, once we were going up and down and winding around my vertigo was not happy.   I think I stopped breathing for most of the way and I was sitting on the edge of my seat inhaling on my electronic cigarette like it was going out of style.  I was afraid if I averted my eyes for a second that we would fly of the road even though my dad was driving.  I felt that even though he was the one driving my eyes concentrating on the road helped us stay on the road.  Lol I know right!

We did see some interesting things a long the way, mountains, towns built on mountains, prostitutes.   You know how on an on/off ramp on the highway there is an island at the top so the people getting on/off don’t happen to go in the wrong lane, well, we drove by one of those and there was this girl in a black leather jacket,  black heels and a pair of booty short underwear.  “Wow!  I wonder who she is waiting for?” I said “It is a bit of an odd place to stand.”   Then we had to turn off up a head and do a loop through a really dingy and dirty area where I saw another girl wearing the same thing on the side of the road except this one had a plastic patio chair – I guess she could rest if she got tired.   Definitely not something we were expecting to see.

As we got closer to the city of Naples the big towering peak of Mt. Vesuvius came up on our left.   I was expecting to see smoke coming out of the top.  I was amazed at the sight of it, it was beautiful and ominous at the same time.   There were even houses built up on it.   No matter where we were in town we could always see it, like you are always in it’s shadow, like it is always watching.

I don’t know what I was expecting Naples to look like, I guess I expect all of Italy to be beautiful and breathtaking but it was ugly.   There is heaps of garbage on the side of the highway, all the buildings look old and tired and literally everything is covered in graffiti and I mean everything,  I was surprised the stray dogs there hadn’t been graffitied.   It  definitely isn’t a place I would go back to but we actually weren’t there to see Naples or the city; we were there to see the ruins of Pompeii.

When I was a little girl I remember this book my mum had.   It was a huge hardcover picture book – probably from National Geographic or something – on Pompeii.   She would tell me about the town that got covered by a volcano and how people were digging it up and discovered houses and artifacts.   I remember the pictures of the (plaster) bodies in the positions they died in.  My mum had told me one day she would love to go there and see it.   Before we came to Italy I made sure that we were able to make it one of the places to visit as I wanted my mum to finally see it.

Just like Naples, I really didn’t know what to expect with Pompeii.  I knew it would be ruins of houses, artifacts and the plaster bodies.  I thought that we would get to see everything from a distance within an hour and be off.   That was not the case.   You actually get to walk through the towns streets, markets and some of the buildings.   You could touch the walls, walk along the streets where they walked it was really awesome and fucking massive!!!   The town is huge.   We were there 3 hours and still hadn’t seen everything!  To see it all you would have to give 2 or 3 days!  Like I said, I didn’t know what to expect but it definitely wasn’t this.   

It was a little confusing – very easy to get turned around – as the signs really didn’t give much info.  We did have one of those hand held audio tour thingys which was good for information of buildings but there was no information posted of areas.   Like one area we walked through was pubs and shops but there was nothing to posted in the area to say that, even following the exit arrow’s was confusing.

We walked and walked along the massive stone streets, looking into the buildings, peeking through windows, touching the walls admiring some of the frescos and carvings that were still on the walls.  I even ran out of room on my SD card – thank goodness at the end.   Their houses were massive and so ornate, built with brick and stone which they then covered with a plaster and painted on it.  There isn’t really much of the colourful plaster on the outside now so all you see are stone/brick houses.  It was really exciting going inside some of the places that had some of the colourful fresco painted plaster on the wall that gave you a bit more of an idea of what it once looked like. 

 

We walked through the big market with the municipal buildings where we had lunch – they have built a cafeteria, saw the Temple of Isis which had quite a bit of cult activity surrounding it, gardens, homes, men's bath houses, shops, theatre and amphitheatre.  We saw original artifacts such as pots, statues and the (plaster) bodies including the one of the dog.  It was very strange to see them as they are in the positions they died in.  One was sitting with his knees up to his chest with his hands almost in a prayer like position.  It just made it that much more real.   

                                                    Plaster moulding of the praying man

                                                    Plaster moulding of the dog

                                                    Walking the streets of Pompeii

It was a long day and we were all pretty tired when we got back to the hotel I ended up falling asleep at 7 that night lol.   

The hotel we stayed at was awesome.  Very hostelish with the way the rooms were painted and layed out.   The bathroom was my favourite part.  White, pink and lime green tiled walls,  with a sink big enough to bathe in and a shower stall that played music and had disco lights that changed colour.  I was in heaven.  It was the best way to start off my day.   Plus the shower came fully equipped with freebees, razor, sewing kit, travel toothbrush and toothpaste.  I made my parents take everything so I could stock up haha.   We were supposed to leave the next day but decided we were gonna do an extra day and go to the ruins of Herculanium.   We had to switch rooms which was  more money and the bathrooms were a downgrade.   The toilets had no seat so we had to squat (which we are getting very used to here) and the shower wasn’t even a stall it was in the centre of the bathroom;  basically just a square area on the floor with a flip down seat and a handheld shower head, no radio or disco lights, it was a sad sad morning for me.

I know most people know of Pompeii but I am not sure how many know of Herculanium.  Herculanium is a town that also got wiped out by Mt. Vesuvius the same day as Pompeii, however it was hit first.   While Pompeii has been in the process of uncovering for a few hundred years, Herculaniums dig has just started in this century so it is still pretty new to us.  While Pompeii is more well known Herculaneum really has the beauty.  

The preservation of Herculaneum is amazing!  It is better preserved than Pompeii; this is because when the volcano hit water hit as well forming mud that ran its way through the streets and buildings which kept the preservation of the buildings, fresco’s,  and marble floors, some of them almost looking brand new.  

Herculaneum  is heaps smaller than Pompeii making it an easier tour - 70% of the town is still buried and will never be excavated as the new Ercoleno (Herculaneum) has been built on top – and it is way more colourful due to the preservation of the artwork and marble.   Some of the marble floor are pretty much in prestine  condition, almost like they were never buried.   There are more plaster walls with fresco’s on them so it was easier to get a sense of what some of the houses looked like way back then.   The colourful wall pictures made of marble were breathtaking I could’ve stared at them forever.  I was trying to imagine the artist who made it and the people who’s garden it was that the picture was in.  Everything was so elaborate back then, the frescos on the wall, the marble floors the gardens in their houses, the cornices on the walls, the painted ceilings and marble baths in the men’s baths, marble benches…I could go on.  Honestly if I was a super hero, my super power would be to time travel so  could go back in time and really see it when it was hustling and bustling with it’s residences…maybe I can build a phone booth like Bill and Ted and collect people from the past lol, how cool would that be.  But no, seriously, sometimes I really do wish I could go back in time to experience certain times in history.

                                                    Floor in the men's baths

                                          Beautiful tile picture still in tact

                                          Cornice mouldings

I ended up getting us lost on the way back to our hotel.   We had to take a train.  The train their wasn’t the greatest and definitely not something I would want to ride on by myself.  It’s something out of the 70’s old, tired and covered in graffiti like the rest of Naples; but WOW does it go fast!!!  The one on the way back was newer and cleaner but still just as fast.   I looked at the stop we had to get off at and counted the number of stops.   As soon as we got off the train we knew that we were not where we were supposed to be.  We were at another end of town, dirty, run down and empty streets with no idea which direction we were pointing or what direction our hotel was.    We went into a café and they said we were about an 8km walk from our hotel and that there were no taxis around.  Great! Now what? There is no way we are walking!  Before we had time to think about what we were going to do the nice people at the café called a taxi for us who drove us the 8km back to where we needed to go.

We were happy to get back to Termoli, back to our rusty apartment where we could curl up with a tea and watch a movie.   We haven’t really done much the past few days as my poor dad has gastro L and has pretty much been bed ridden.  The weather hasn’t been great so a couple days of catching up on laundry and just relaxing and looking after my dad hasn’t been a bad thing, I really just want him to get better.

Well, it is a beautiful morning.  The sun is shining and the birds are chirping,  and it’s a balmy 17 degrees here (just thought I would let all you in Canada know how warm it is) so I am gonna sign off for  now.  

Talk soon. 

Stay warm Canada

Ciao

                                                                                        - My Beautiful Life -