Back to the Italy: 7/25/07

Dear Friends,

Well, I have had a few interesting days. First off, it has been so hot. Night time is unbearable when trying to sleep, so the other night after work, Alex's uncle, Carlo, took us to the big mall in his car to buy a fan. It was me and 4 guys. By the time we left the store that was like a Best Buy, I had purchased the entire box set of 4 Home Alone Movies and Alex and Carlo had each bought a portable air conditioning system. I don't think I could be any more happy than I will be when watching Home Alone in Italian by the air conditioner. They did not deliver the unit until yesterday and then we had to let it sit overnight. I am happy to say that tonight and everynight for the rest of my trip will be cool and breezy. The thought is so exciting, I can barely stand it.

So, we left for the mall right after work and I was already hungry, but it was clear to me that my need for food was simply not more important than the mission we were on. So, after the hours spent at the mall, I was sure we would go get some really yummy food. I even thought maybe we would go back to Perseo because I know how much everyone likes it. Finally, as we were driving (after getting lost for a while), Alex leans over and says, "Oh, we are going to your favorite place for dinner." I was so excited. I couldn't wait. "Where?" I asked calmly. "McDonald's!" "Oh....great." I said, but, what I was really thinking was GREAT, McDonald's again. You see. I may have left out the part where the day before Alex and I ate at McDonald's TWICE as we travelled home from our vacation. Usually I would not admit to eating fast food twice in one day, but I feel the information lends itself well to emphasizing how dissapointed I was that we were all going to MickyD's after craving Perseo or something comparable all night long! I unleashed a MickyD's loving monster my first day here when I insisted on eating there as we missed our train. Radical!

Our experience at McDonald's was pretty great. Apparently McDonald's is like a hangout kind of place. They have beer and tables outside where you can smoke. All of the guys wanted to sit outside, except for Alex, which somehow got blamed on me, so everyone agreed to sit inside for the poor little American girl. After about 2 minutes I said it was way too cold under the air conditioning and suggested we go outside. After they all exclaimed about how it was my idea to sit inside (which it was not), I was really having a great time. I have to say: All male energy can be a little frustrating sometimes and when I am around all of them, it is a whole new world when they get to talking in their language.

This brings me to talking in Italy. As some of you know, Alex and his family are from Iraq, but they all left years ago as things got worse and worse between their country and Iran. His mom has 7 brother's and sisters. Two brothers have passed away, but the rest are dispersed around Europe and Syria. So, Alex's family here in Italy speaks Italian and Arabic. Italian I can do. Arabic, no. So, when Alex and his fam start talking, I go into my own little world. The funny thing is that whenever they talk, I ask Alex what is wrong. They yell at eachother and it sounds so hostile. "Nothing, we were just talking about the game!" It always makes me laugh. Although they all speak English, they apparently cannot understand me. No one in Italy can understand me. I speak Italian, but have become more and more afraid to because everytime I do, people say "Huh??" in an exaggerated way like I am speaking Klingon or something. Some people say it is because I speak too softly, but I am not sure. We have also determined it may be my accent. I met some Americans the other day who swear I am from the South (I assured them I am not). Uncle Carlo says I talk funny. Alex's aunt and cousin from Austria came into town. She is Austrian and her husband is Alex's mom's brother. Anywho, the only common language we all have with her is English and I have to speak English to her in a British accent so she can understand me. I am not sure how well this works out since British people tell me I have an awful Bristish accent. SO, now when I speak, I do so loudly, slowly, and in a Bristish accent. I know you would all pay to see this, but I thank God I have no video camera on me.

Along with Andrea from Austria came a list from Alex's mom of Italian must haves for her and the family. I am not sure if you remember my story from my last trip here, but she came to visit with one bag and went home with 4 or 5. This time, the things are for family in Syria. All of their family in Syria had to leave Iraq very abruptly, leaving everything they had behind and apparently it is very hard to get quality items in Syria, so when they all go to visit, they take loads of clothes, shoes, toiletries, etc. The funny part about all of this (yes there is a lighter side) is that the family in Syria (there are about 25 of them when you add all the cousins, grandkids, etc.) will look to their visiting family and say, ''Hmmmm. I like your shoes. Give them to me because you can just get new ones at home.'' Believe it or not, I have already started a care package of things I will likely leave behind here anyway due to no space in my luggage. It is impossible to not accumulate things after 2 months in Italia!

On Sunday night, Alex, Stefano and I went to La Festa Di L'unita! It is sort like a democratic world fair where you can buy stuff and food from all over the world. They had all types of music going on, including a bad Rolling Stones cover band. We had Argentinian BBQ. It was 17Euro for a big plate overflowing with sausage, beef, lamb (icky for me), and who knows what else. I will admit it was delicious, but I had enough meat to last me a while. The BBQ was amazing. It was huge and just covered with meat. It would have been any vegetarian's nightmare! It was fun and very different. They also had some carnival games, including one where you shoot cans with a bb gun. I told the boys that in the US it was romantic for a guy to win a toy for his girl. So, we all went for it, accumulating points. Stefano is pretty good, but let me tell you: in the future I will be winning my own toys as Alex stands by. I am definitely a better shot and I have a stuffed bulldog to prove it. We are going to go to the festival again tomorrow night with Andrea and Roman from Austria. I feel bad for them. They have been here two days and done nothing fun. They have stayed in Carlo's apartment each day until the afternoon then they come in and sit at the shop. Wait, that is what I do. No, just kidding. Today they did not even eat until four because Calo has no food. Sheesh! Last night all of them came over for dinner. Carlo cooked and I made the most delicious, GIGANTIC salad. No one ate it but me. This morning Alex told me to bring the salad to work with me. I told him the idea of carrying a big day old salad with onions on it in the hot bus was not something I was into. Last time I make a salad for 7 people. C'mon! The funny thing is that Roman (he is 11) looks exactly like Alex and they are best buddies. They are disgustingly cute together.

Well, I guess that is it in a nutshell. I have decided to look into a cooking class. I got some exciting news today about my one day stay in London. My friend Kelly from when I was little little is living there and has offered her pullout bed in Notting Hill. I am so excited to see her and have a real English experience. So, with the money I will save on the hotel, I want to do something really neat here, like a cooking class. If any of you know of a good program, please fill me in. Tomorrow is preparation day for Alex's bday. It is on Friday and I want to make it a little special, even though he doesn't want me to do a thing. Yeah right, have you met me? I hope all is well at home. Please let me know how you are!

Tanti Bacci a Ci Vediamo!