Just Checking In

Well my friends, we are to the end of Phase 3. Tomorrow I catch a plane to Rome to meet my dear friend Aubrey for a tour of all of Italy. I am really excited. Here are just some odds and ends...

Favorite Italian Quotes:
"We do not suffer from this, you have sweet blood." (Referring to my bounteous mosquito bites)
"You are like an elephant, you have a good memory."
"She doesn't drink, but she does a lot of drugs." (Referring to me and my lack of drinking tea, coffee, wine, beer, etc)
"Are you Amish?" (I got that question alot)
"I don't like art, only graffiti."

I have also read 12 books while in Italy. Some of them even say on the cover, "Not to be introduced into the British Empire or the USA." Such haters. I'd list the books I've read but I know no one really cares. Suffice it to say my favorite was Eat, Pray, Love (cliche, I know) and the rest were murder mysteries.

I have been in Italy 10 weeks and I am excited to be coming home. Afterall, a girl can't be on vacation forever. This has been a wonderful experience and I have loved the people I've met and the culture I've been able to experience.

Where in the World is CB?

Phase 3: Taranto, Italy

I have returned to the South! I had forgotten how green it is here. I'm back with the Pignatelli's, it is nice to be staying with people I already know. It is just Pasquale, Rosangela, Simona, and I. Luca is at university in Milano and Marco is in Missouri, so I get their room.

My New Home:

From the outside

Family Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Sitting Room

My Room

View from my room (that's a football stadium in the distance, when they're playing I can hear the cheering)

Things I've Seen:
We went to Alberobello one cold Sunday. These are houses are warm in the winter and cold in the winter, and they are only built of stone, no cement was used.



The story goes when these tricky people were trying to avoid taxes, they pulled out one of the stones and let their houses crumble, because without a house you don't have to pay taxes. Then they rebuilt. I like their style.

Simona, me, Rosangela

With Pasquale

Sunset on the ocean

Sunset on the square

Simona and I were invited by her uncle to tour a naval ship. Taranto is right on the sea and has the 2nd largest naval base in Italy.

Cavour 550

On board

Simona and me

Fruit Reviews:

Fichi d'India

Fichi d'India is similar to prickly pears but only grown in Sicily. I had seen them at the market and was intrigued by the many colors. Luckily for me we bought some one day. Pretty darn good. You peel the outside and the inside is the texture of watermelon with pomegranate-like seeds. Grade: B

Cachi

I never knew goodness until I tried this fruit. There are a few varieties, but the picture is my favorite. Skin like a tomato and the sweetest fruit you ever tasted inside. I can't say enough about how good this is. Grade: A++

Boy Meets World
It's true. There are not a lot of touristy places to see (and I broke my 2nd bike today...) so I have had to entertain myself. I have been watching all the seasons of Boy Meets World, I just started the last season today. They just don't make TV like this anymore. Each episode teaches a lesson, they talk about God, underage drinking, education, sex, being a good friend, making good choices, etc. I have been found with tears in my eyes on more than one occasion. I want my kids to watch this show. I wish TV was still like this.

°I was there for love.°

I met Marco at General Conference. He told me he had lived in Utah earlier this year, and when I asked why, his reply was, “I was there for love.” Eloquently put. Here is what that convo would be like in America:

Me, “Why were you in Utah?”
Guy, “Oh, I was kinda dating this girl or whatever. It was no big deal.”
Me, “But it’s over?”
Guy, “Yeah.” (Scanning the crowd for someone better to talk to…)

After Marco made his claim about being in Utah for love, he launched into the entire story about meeting this girl and moving to America for her. He went on for 15 minutes about her problems with their relationship. I told him I was sorry that it had ended, he said, “No, no, life is wonderful. Life will always be hard, but I had many wonderful experiences.” I love Italian men. They are not afraid to show their feelings or compliment women, it’s refreshing.

I write this at 2:41AM, my Turin departure is in a few hours, and some tears have already escaped my eyes. Im sad to have to say goodbye to this beautiful city and the wonderful people here. I have had such great experiences here. I have learned much about myself and have found myself feeling a joy I haven’t experienced in a very long time. Each day I thank Heavenly Father for this opportunity to be in Italy and meet the people I have grown to love.

Tonight for my send off party we went into town and had Napoli pizza with the best family friends. We ate on the piazza, complete with an accordian player, and a half moon in the sky. We lingered in the city and walked aimlessly afterward.

The crew at the perfect Italian dinner.

Sara and I have become best buddies.

Just 3 kids, having a good time.

Me and Sara at the cottage.

Ivana and me at Venaria.

“Why were you in Turin?”
Me, “I was there for love.”