2nd Italian Family

I hate Italian trains. So confusing and the people are so rude. It took five trains to get to Cechina. At least I had time to practice my Italian and to mine and Lias surprise can finalloy roll my r's. When I say practice, I mean call Lias mom and ask her how to yell some smack on rude train workers. Lia had fun with this. It made me realize I need to learn th Italian that Rosetta stone doesn't teach!

Anyway, I finally made it to Cechina. A small village on the coast. I'm staying with an older couple and their daughter who is six. It took me awhile to figure out they were the parents and not grandparents. Especially since there weren't a lot of toys about. I'm thinking she's an oops baby, but you can tell she's very much loved. They speak almost no english though. This is going to be a long week.

That night during dinner their nephew came over. He was around my age. From what I gathered from the conversation, he was on his way to a disco, and the father told him to take me. I agreed to go. I had been working so hard all week and had a stressful train ride. A night out would be fun, and the other Italian family was so nice always wanting to take me out. It would be nice to get out. However, the nephew was not ok with this. I didn't get all of what they were saying but there was an argument it seemed about me. At least that's what I figured when the nephew pointed at me. So trying to be polite, I asked what time they would get back. He said six am. I said that was too late, but thanks. Of course the father offers to pick me up whenever I wanted. Another argument happened between the family. I felt very awkward at this pint. I decided this was not a good idea for me to go. This guy was not like my other Italian family. So after much convincing, they believed I was too tired after all. The nephew was rude about it. The mother seemed relieved, and the father went to bed. I appreciated the effort.

O'well, doesn't matter. This has been a long long day. At least they're taking me to Florence tomorrow!

First Camp

Camp is crazy. Twenty kids and just me, Lia, And Valentina the director. I like it though. We try to teach them as much English as we can, but balance that with a good amount of games. Our day is filled with water games, scavenger hunts, and Olympics. It's very tiring.

However, tomorrow is the final day. I enjoy my family and my class. They're fun and relaxing. Italy is relaxing. I swear I look so much healthier. I walk or ride my bike everywhere and play with the kids every day. After work, me, Lia, and Valentina go to a bar (cafe) for campari and to relax. Valentina is friendly. She has big dreams to move to London, but not a lot of confidence. Afterwards, I go to my Cammozzono home, shower and eat dinner wth the family. Which is always interesting. I forgot how nice it is to eat a family dinner. My family doesn't even do that at holidays anymore. The family talks passionately and gestures wildly. We always compare English and Italian words. They laugh when they hear me try to speak Italian. I guess I'm pretty bad, lol. I usually spend an hour after dinner talking to Luca, the brother, and Laura using google to translate. We all practice our new language skills with each other. It's fun. I think this is just what I needed. I feel like a new person, more confident, happier, and just relaxed. Just like the Italian way.

First Family, First Party

At my first italian families' home. It's weird, but not so bad. It's definitely uncomfortable though. The family is very nice and even though they speak little English, they do try. We use google translate a lot. The mom is sweet and very expressive. The dad just keeps asking if I'm ok. There are two brothers that keep telling me they are going to show me the dark side of Italy (the club scene), an older sister who smiles at me a lot, and the fourteen year old who is in the camp. They are so interested in me, America, and showing me their culture. The village, Ciazzgo, is small. You can ride your bike around it in about 5-10 minutes, but it's cute.

So yesterday was my first day here. We went to a festival in the piazza with another coworker, Lia, and her host family. It was cute like a little community festival in the states except instead of beer and BBQ it was espresso and pasta. Afterwards, I went to Lia's "sister" boyfriend's birthday party. Get this, the couples names' were Francesca and Francesco, and they we're the cutesy couple I have ever seen. All giggle and warm and loving. You couldn't help but enjoy being with them. It was contagious. Their friends were so warm and welcoming, speaking English at the party, calling everyone bella or bello, lots of hugs and the three kisses to say hello and goodbye. My first Italian party. Who would of thought. It was pretty calm, we drank wine sat outside and they talked and joked with each other. Even if I couldn't understand their words, I could get the jest of what they were saying with body language. My goodnesses do they love American culture. Surprising, I guess I take it for granted.

What I Learned About Italy/Italians

1. They complain a it's hot, but never use fans and rarely us AC.
2. You can understand 40% of an Italian conversation by body language alone.
3. Italians are really beatiful people.
4. Eating is very important. Always pack meals not snacks.
5. Their compliments ar wonderful and given whole-heartily.
6. Competition is good!
7. Wine is wonderful!
8. Dinner should always be in courses, with pasta as the first course.
9. Nutella is good on everything: cookies, gelato, fruit, cheese, cake, etc...
10. A whole pizza to yourself if perfecto.
11. Distance for Americans and Italians mean two different things. Italians tells you it's close, just around the corner. Then the American will be walking for thirty minutes and go around four corners to get there.
12. Lunch for a single person or child should always be packed in a medium to large sized cooler not a tiny lunch box.
13. Italian passion, although wonderful and exciting can be dangerous i.e. temper
14. Italians have natural swagger.
15. Italy uses olive oil. America used ketchup, ranch, BBQ, mustard, mayo, miracle whip, etc...

Last night of orientation

I had so much fun at orientation this week. San Remo is so beautiful and the people are so friendly. The beaches are nice even though the are rocky. The town has charming markets and bars. This is somewhere I definitely want to visit again.

Last night was our last night here at orientation. Our trainers took us out for pizza. How amazing is it that in Italy you each get your own pizza! We went to Tahiti restraunt right on the water. We ate on the patio outside, and after we took group pictures near the water. Many pictures where taken. Then, after dinner we plugged in someone's iPod to speakers each bought w bottle of wine and let loose making our own dance floor. I think after a week of intense training everyone was in need of a fun night.

Open Mic Night

The trainers setup open mic night for us after dinner. I felt like I was truly in Italy while walking up the stone path to the hidden 'La Cave' in the basement of a building on what I would call an alley. They had instruments and a mic and let us go to town with them. One boy played piano and Isabel played drums. People got up on stage to sing, and I danced and sang right along with them in the audience. So much fun. I feel so open and free here. I'm more outgoing, silly, and talkative with these people that I just met. I'm more comfortable and confident in my own skin.

On the way home, a group of italian guys applauded as we walked by them. I guess that's a compliment?

And have I told you how much I love gelato? So much better then ice-cream. I've eaten it almost everyday, but with all the walking I don't care. We went to our favorite gelato place after the bar, it's in Piazza Columbo. Apparently we weren't the only ones with that idea. So many people are out late at night, even children. Anyway, our trainers were there eating gelato too. We stopped and talked with them. They told us about living in Italy. How they love working in the camps and how they love spending their summers there. Then one of them noticed Isabel's ukaylaylee and asked her to play for us. So there, in a crowded piazza Isabel sang Hey Jude for us. She received a lot of applause.

It's so beatiul here. This is truly one of the best experiences of my life.

Orientation

Orientation is a week long. They put you up in a hotel, provide your meals, and even some entertainment. Orientation is pretty much going through the camp experience yourself. It's long and tiring, but kinda fun in a goofy way. I'm making some amazing friends. It kinda reminds me of the college dorms. I even have roommates, Chloe and Lindsey. Also, I still hang out with the Canadians and another teacher I met, Anna.

Even though we hangout a lot together, I am still trying to meet everyone and talk to a lot of different people. Everyone is from somewhere different and they are so interesting. I love hearing there stories.

This is the first time in probably years that I have ever been able to just relax. All my worries from home are gone. I just concentrate on my work here and have fun the rest of the time. With no phone and limited Internet, I'm almost completely disconnected. Which is probably pretty unbelievable for me if you know me. I will admit it was hard at first, but I actually like it. It has forced me to relax and take care of just myself for a change. I think it's what I really needed.

Tonight at dinner we learned something very important about Italian cultural. Just because food is put on the table does not mean it's free. When the waiter started putting trays and trays of meats, cheese, and breads on our table with out our ordering, we thought it was just a really friendly place. No, if you touch it you pay for it. Our bill was a bit high that night, but now we know. On the way home, we amused locals by singing and dancing down the street followed by picture taking by little cars. I forgot now nice it can be to be goofy sometimes.