Finally knowing my way around...

I have been meaning to write this post for awhile but kept forgetting. So I will write it now. As some of you know I teach a group class at a factory in Italy. I don't know if I am supposed to say where so I won't say it at all.

Anyways, I have been coming there since October/November. I have to always go through security first and get my bright yellow vest that says Visitor (in Italian though). The security people never could remember who I was until about a month ago. The guys started asking me questions and trying to speak to me in Italian. I tried to speak and understand as much as I could. The next time I came through security, I was waiting in line and I hear a guy say Hey Michigan. I looked and thought huh? Then I remembered I told them I was from Michigan. Again, they tried speaking to me but I was in a rush and needed to go. Yesterday, another buddy at security saw me and waved to me from the office. I was standing behind 6 or 7 people. He motioned to me so I handed him my passport. He said no. So I went back in line then he motioned again and said No, go to the front! Ok, no problem for me except the looks on the faces of the 6 or 7 guys now behind me was priceless. It's nice to finally have connections :)

Once I pass through security, I walk to the classroom. The classroom is usually locked so I have to go to another office to get the key. In the beginning, I had to explain my situation and ask for the key. They would get up and stop whatever they were doing to get the key for me. Now, I walk into the room, ask for the key, heads turn then go back to whatever they were doing and I get the key myself. I have become part of them and I am no longer a guest or visitor. :)

In the classroom, my students make the class time go by fast. In addition to the classwork we do, I also learn about the factory and hear many stories from my students. They also like to make fun of me but in a joking manner; they are all comedians. I always laugh at some point in the lesson because of something they said or did. For example, yesterday I was serenaded by three of my students. They were singing random songs that they remembered after something we talked about in the lesson. Some of the songs were funny so I would just bust out laughing. It is always a joy to go to class. Laughter is important because it is a stress reliever. I think having laughter in class helps everyone in the long run.

Overall, it is a fun experience working here. I am also learning my way around and people are recognizing me!

A little taste of winter

This weekend, I went to the mountains. It was the first time we had been there since the snow storm of the century! We saw pictures just a week ago that showed lots of snow. I was hoping that maybe within one week the snow would have melted or at least be less. We arrived and thank goodness there was hardly any snow in sight! It was a beautiful sunny day! There was a little pile in the back of the house that was just enough for the girls to play and enjoy the snow. I appreciated not having to walk in it! It was perfect!

Today, we went to the market and got fresh cheese, produce, and meat. We also went to the neighbor's house for fresh ricotta. While we were there we saw the animals enjoying the fresh air. Goats, sheep, and lambs were posing for the camera. Aren't they cute! :)

I also helped Ipolita's family finish their puzzle of the Sistine Chapel. I had studied it in art history and have visited it four or five times but I have never looked at it and noticed every little detail before. Now, I can say I recognize a lot of faces and details. :) I have learned that getting puzzles of famous works of art makes you appreciate and notice every detail of the artwork! 

Overall, it was another wonderful weekend in the mountains. It was beautiful! And we got a taste of winter!

New Adventures in Napoli

A few days ago, I was in class and my students were asking what I was going to do this weekend. I told them that I had no plans so one of my students suggested that I go with him to Napoli since they know I don’t know Napoli well.

So Friday evening, I went with my student to Napoli. We went to a play that was being directed by his friend. It was held in a church, but with the stage you couldn’t even tell you were in a church. I was concerned that maybe I wouldn’t understand but fortunately I was able to understand based on my little Italian and their wonderful acting. It was a comedy. There were only 3 actors; two guys who were very funny playing the parts of a journalist and the journalist’s brother, then a woman who was playing the part of an American girl living in Napoli. From what I could understand the journalist had writer’s block and was procrastinating in writing whatever he needed to write. Then he met the American girl and fell in love with her even though she had no interest in him. Throughout the play, there was music, mostly classic American songs. It was fun to watch them sing, dance and act to them. There was even a scene with the Beauty and the Beast’s “Be Our Guest.” It was quite comical. I also learned new phrases for example “Fai Schifo,” which means you are disgusting! I enjoyed the play very much and it goes to prove that I can probably go to the cinema and understand at least the gist of it!

After the play we went to meet up with my student’s friends. But before we met up with them we had to find a parking spot. Parking in Napoli is horrendous! After driving around and passing the Maschio Angioino castle, the Galleria Umberto, and the San Carlo Theater, he drove to a parking garage. I was shocked to see a parking garage in the middle of historic Naples. In fact, my student told me that they built the parking garage out of the historic structure that was previously there. After he started driving up the garage I noticed that it was unlike any parking garage I have ever been in before. First, the parking spaces were creatively placed amongst curves and concaves and not in rows like other parking garages. I felt like it was a cave. Second, I started to hear music. I asked where the music was coming from and my student told me that it was in the parking garage. Amazing, a parking garage that plays dance music. We got out of the car and headed for the exit. But the exit was still nowhere to be seen. Instead we stumbled upon a party. A party in the parking garage! They can’t even wait to get out of the parking garage to start partying! But really, it was a nice party, people were dressed to the hills and there was catering. A private party was held in the parking garage! And, the phrase “ogni giorno è una festa” was used once again. The parking garage was definitely a highlight of my evening!

The party!

We left the parking garage and headed to the popular hang out area filled with chic bars. I had fun people watching. It’s good to know that everyone is the same, except I have noticed lately in general that I have never seen so many Italian noses concentrated and in one place before. I am in Italy after all! It's just nice to know I'm not the odd one anymore :)

After awhile we left to meet his friends. We went to the coast to a famous pastry shop known for their cornetti (croissants). I had a chocolate cornetto. I had fun speaking with my student’s friends and even got invited to go dancing with them sometime!

Overall it was a good evening and I had fun learning more about Napoli. Thank you!

My First Carnevale!

Yes, in America, we have Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), but Italy's celebration of Carnevale exceeds and surpasses our version of the last day before Lent. If you are in New Orleans, maybe it is similar to how the Italians celebrate Carnevale, but I have never been to New Orleans so I can't make that call.

A lot of the festivities actually started on Sunday. I asked many people and for them they ate the traditional Carnevale meal on Sunday instead of today. The traditional meal is eating a lot of meat, especially lasagna and meatballs. This past Sunday, we went to Ipolita's aunt's house where we ate lasagna and meatballs. It was there that we discussed the legend of Carnevale. It is still undetermined whether or not it is solely a legend from Acerra or someplace else. The legend is called "Vincenzo Carnevale." Apparently, years ago, there was a man named Vincenzo who died while eating a meatball on Carnevale. So every man named Vincenzo gets teased this time of year and people urge them not to eat a meatball on Carnevale! There are even reenactments every year but not with real people of course! Today, we drove through town and saw in a portone, Vincenzo laying on a table dead from a meatball. There was even a funeral at 16:00 today but unfortunately we couldn't attend the service. 

This past weekend, yesterday and today, children started to wear their costumes and throw confetti everywhere! The confetti is minor compared to the teenagers admitting to me that they like to throw eggs at people, cars, and homes. Fortunately, I escaped and never saw an egg being thrown. 

Today, we ate for lunch pasta with sauce and ricotta, meatballs (in honor of the holiday), salad, and desserts. The desserts were typical for Carnevale. There were Chiacchiere, migliaccio, and some other dessert. Of course, I had to try all of them since they were special for Carnevale! :)

Take note to the size of the meatball. No wonder they have a legend that a man died from eating a meatball!

I had to go to work in the afternoon but after I finished my lesson, Ipolita picked me up and we all went to a town nearby to see the floats. I was told to beware that I may get full of confetti, the stringy stuff, and who knows what else. I was prepared. And fully embraced the confetti :) We arrived at one area of town and saw a float so we started to walk in that direction. While we were walking I noticed the various costumes. There were some that were very original, some classical, and only a few that were scary (unlike Halloween). 

As we approached the float, I noticed there was music. Of course, dance music :) And, surprisingly enough, everyone was dancing! After a little bit, we continued walking down the street passing many people and vendors (like a true carnival). We even saw carnival rides! But, not long down the street we came across another float and even more music. It passed and we continued walking, and stopped when we got to another float. And, of course there was even more music and dancing. I loved it! In America, the people stand off to the side and wait for the floats to come to them. Instead today, we walked towards the float and then we were able to participate and dance with the float instead of standing, sitting, or just watching the parade. It was wonderful. 

Confetti on the ground- there was so much it
looked like snow!

I was trying to capture all the confetti in my pictures. Of course, it was a difficult task because it flies away so fast that the camera can't capture it fast enough. But, thank goodness for Ipolita, she told or motioned to one of the float attendants that I wanted confetti. And I got it! A whole bag for myself! I saw it coming at me but I was laughing at the previous confetti experience that I wasn't able to shut my mouth fast enough. Let's just say I think I had a view pieces of paper for dinner tonight. :) The pictures will show you. 

It is hard to see but this is when the person throw an entire bag of confetti at me!

Completely covered!

IT'S EVERYWHERE!

As you can see, confetti in my mouth!

I continued laughing and picking paper confetti out of my mouth the entire duration until the next float. And what did we see....A float that I can't remember but a stand off on the sidewalk that was giving out free wine!!! Vino? Yes please! I grabbed the glass as fast as I could! :) They were giving out crackers too but we were in a rush to get out of the way. It was nice to get free beverages :) 

I guess this was the float...

Free wine!

We continued along and saw more and more floats and never stopped dancing. We finally made our way towards the beginning again. We stopped for a sandwich before we headed home. After the sandwich and after we were on our way back to the car, we passed a couple of guys. They said, "OH" and banged me on the head with a plastic club. I'm not sure if they were sporting a Bamm Bamm outfit or not. Then we continued walking and all of a sudden our group stopped. Apparently, someone sprayed us with the silly string. I told Ipolita that I had thought, great I made it the whole time without the string and now walking back to the car I get hit with it. Oh well, it comes off easily. :) 

the sausage picture is for my family...you know who you are!

kebab, porchetta (roasted pork), and sausage...

the different toppings for the sandwich: french fries, eggplant with tomatoes, grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini, grilled peppers, another form of eggplant, or mushrooms. 

My porchetta sandwich with eggplant and tomatoes

random guy

So, overall, I was able to dance for a few hours and partake in a huge street dance party, get covered in confetti, get free wine, get hit on the head, get silly string on me and enjoy myself completely at my first Carnevale!!! :)

Also, I got my Italian Voter's Card on Carnevale, too!

Meant to be.

I had a sudden realization today. I thought about the current state of my life. I thought about how everyone says I look happy being in Italy, how Italy looks good on me, and how they can tell that I really am happy. I thought well maybe it is true, but I also have a wonderful smile so sometimes I doubt myself if I am really happy or not. But, I think I am happy :) I mean I do love living in Italy. But what I realized today is that my body likes it too!

For the last few years, I have been sick many times during the seasons of autumn, winter and spring. I would get horrible sinus infections and not be able to function. I wouldn't be able to work or play! But, knock on wood, I haven't gotten sick this year. My body enjoys Italy. And now that I think about it, I started getting really sick after I graduated from college and it was when I had first started to search for jobs in Italy. But, I wasn't able to come for 3 years and that is how long I have been sick! My body was trying to tell me to go to Italy but I didn't listen to it. Now it is happy that I have finally come to Italy.

So overall, I really do enjoy living in Italy. Even though, I am away from my family and friends, I am adjusting quite well and so is my body :) This is just another sign that I am where I am supposed to be. It's all meant to be.

My first trip to an Italian Beauty Salon

Yesterday, I went to the beauty salon. It felt weird going into a beauty salon and not seeing my cousin, Kim. I always get my hair cut by my cousin. But, my hair was getting too long and since my cousin was located thousands of miles away, I broke down and got my hair cut in Italy.

It was a fun experience. I walked in and a woman came up to me and said, "Do you want a coffee?" Apparently, the word had traveled fast that I spoke English. :) I thanked her but declined. Lately, I've been drinking too much coffee and my body is reacting to it, so I am trying to quit. I sat next to Ipolita and waited until it was my turn. It was a day at the salon for all the girls.

The owner then said to me "Come on" and motioned me to go into the room to get my hair washed. The person that would wash my hair was a young boy, maybe 13-14 years old. He was speaking to me in Italian and I tried to understand but after a lot of hand motioning and pointing, I figured out he wanted to put the towel on my shoulders. Then he washed my hair as I watched MTV on the TV. It was the first time I had heard some of the new popular songs in America. I lose track of the new songs by not being in America. After he finished washing my hair, he brought me to a station and brushed my hair. I found out afterwards that he is of no relation to the owner but probably doing an apprenticeship and learning the trade of doing hair.

Also, while I was getting my hair washed Ipolita's cousin came into the salon to get a wash and set. It is very common here for women to come just for a wash and set, they like being pampered, I'm told. :)

After my hair was brushed then the owner came and cut my hair. I had Ipolita do the translation of what I wanted done to my hair otherwise who knows what I would have come out looking like afterwards. The owner was born in America but moved shortly after back to Italy. He could speak a little English but it was good to have Ipolita there just to be sure.

Also, while my hair was being cut, some of the other women who worked there asked me about the status of the Bold and the Beautiful. Apparently, the tv shows from America arrive in Italy 6 months after it airs in America. So, as soon as they knew I was from America they had to ask the important question, what happens on the soap operas?! Of course, I don't watch soap operas, so I have no idea. I told them I would ask around or look it up for them and get back to them with the important information. :)

After he cut my hair, the woman who asked me if I wanted coffee, dried my hair and styled it. They asked if I wanted it straight or volume. Of course, I chose volume because my mother always tells me I need more height on my head...And this is what I came out looking like:

It was a successful trip to the beauty salon.

Sunday Lunch in Photos

I won't write a lot. Basically, today was another successful day of eating! I'm so full! I managed to remember to take photos this week. This week's Sunday lunch was at my adoptive aunt's house. There were 13 of us again and we continued the party from last week's lunch. Here are the pictures:

Antipasto: Fagioli, Vino, Bruschetta, Pane, Formaggio, Salame, Prosciutto e Olive

Homemade Gnocchi

Dessert all wrapped up!

First Course: Gnocchi with Mozzarella pieces and sauce

First Course: Meatballs and Meat

Grilling in the fireplace :)

Second Course: Salad

Second Course: Sausage and meat

Dried Fruit Course/Nut Course: Chestnuts

Dried Fruit/Nut Course: Snack Mix

Dried Fruit/Nut Course: Pistachios 

Fruit Course: Pineapple

Fruit Course: Banana and Apples

Dessert: Little Pecan Pie Cookies

Dessert: Neapolitan Pastries

Dessert

Digestivi: Liqueur: Grappa and Amaro

Oh, I am full just looking at it all again!