La Mia Famiglia

My Family

Sabato
Saturday

Ciao! sorry to all (if any) of you who have been following my blog. Last week was a bit busy, and time just got away from me.

Today was an amazing, challenging, interesting,wonderful sort of day. It started a little before noon and ended just after 1am. I was very nervous and excited today. I guess you could call it a very emotional day, because I was so anxious to meet my family again, but self conscious about my Italian. I was worried that I wouldn't understand anything they said, and vice versa. But my fears were thrown away the minute Elio and Gloria picked me up at JFRC.

We very quickly established (and apologized to each other) about our lack of Italian/English. Although, me being the one visiting their country, it should be me that is embarrassed, not them. They were taking me back to their house for lunch, but on the way we stopped at Gloria's favorite view of Rome and at Gianicolo, a park in Rome with an absolutely gorgeous panoramic view of Rome. Elio and Gloria pointed different places out to me, and we just looked for a bit. It was one of those moments that will stick with me forever. Not because of the view, but because I was, for the first time, really getting to know my family. (I met them ten years ago, when I was little, but I spoke no Italian.)

We went back to Elio and Gloria's home where I once again met her daughter, who is 23. Barbara also met up with us there. Once lunch was ready we all sat down. Barbara had made an absolutely delicious antipasta. It was sort of like an artichoke pie. That really is the best way to describe it. It had crust, similar to Chicago Deep Dish, but the bottom wasn't as thick...if that makes any sense at all. It was filled with artichokes. They also had mozzarella, mushrooms, and olives. Gloria made the best lasagna I have ever had for the primo piatto. It had the perfect amount of everything in it. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. For seconda piatto, Gloria made....dessert

Elio wanted to skype with Giuseppe, Claudio, Roberta, and my dad, but only Giuseppe was on to talk. It was very brief, and all I really said to him was hello, how are you, etc (in Italian of course), but he will be in Rome soon (he's studying for his master's in Milan right now) and I will get to meet him again.

Barbara had car trouble, so we spent some time trying to figure out what to do. We ended up following Barbara back to her apartment and she made tea. She also put out ginger cookies. I love ginger, and these were good, but they were so strong. The flavor of one bite stayed in my mouth for many minutes. Barbara is a wonderful musician and we listened to her play the piano. Again, I was awe-struck. I've never heard anyone I know play the piano so beautifully. She played selections from Chopin, Bach, and even played the Pink Panther. Barbara took out her two percussion instruments. I am diligently trying to find the names of them online. She played those for us too, and let me try...most of you know of my wonderful musical abilities...I'm sure I blew them away with my fantastic talents.

Around 8:00pm Barbara was invited to a dinner with her colleagues from work. (She is a psychotherapist.) Elio and Gloria were invited also, so naturally they took me along. I was under the impression, due to me not understanding their Italian correctly, that it was a bigger sort of gathering, but when we arrived (a little after 9:30) I was surprised to find that the table (yes in an apartment) was set for seven. Barbara, Elio, Gloria, myself, and three of her colleagues. I was then served another fantastic meal. I literally will not be able to eat for weeks with how much delicious food I consumed. They had wine to compliment each dish. The primo piatto was a delicious pasta. I felt like a dumb American for this though, because they were holding up hot sauce (which most of you probably know that I don't really have a tolerance for spicy things, but I'll try anything) anyway, I didn't know what they were asking. When this happens, I usually just take a 50/50 chance and hope I'm saying yes or no to the right thing. Well I said no, and apparently they were asking if I liked it, because that was the sauce for the pasta. But they threw some olive oil and tomatoes in a pan for me, which was absolutely delicious, and I don't think too much of an inconvenience, but still I felt stupidio. The main course was lamb and potatoes. The lamb was so tender and delicious. It was melt in your mouth kind of tasting. Again, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. For dessert they had a swiss cake with apricot sauce in the middle. Apparently, it is famous, but I had never heard of it. There were also pastries. My favorite wine throughout the night was the wine they served for dessert. I remember what the bottle looked like, so I am trying to find it online or I will keep my eyes peeled for it in wine shops (or maybe ask my food and wine teacher). It complimented the chocolate so well. It brought out the flavor and sweetness of the chocolate without overwhelming it.

The discussion at dinner was a bit difficult for me to follow. There were parts where I understood everything, and then the conversation would turn to something intelligent involving their work, and the vocabulary was over my head (Gloria later told me that the two older men were using phrases that don't really translate well into English). It also didn't help that they were speaking quicker than I can think...even when I'm thinking in English. As I read this, I realize that I might be making myself sound unintelligent, but what I meant by the vocabulary over my head was that I am not that advance in Italian to be discussing topics of that sort (although my mom, dad, and sister would have a fair argument saying my vocabulary in English also isn't that advanced, but what can I say? I like to make up my own words...they have a certain ring to them).

On the way home (around 1:30am) we passed by a limo with younger girls in it. I don't think many limos are around Italy from the reactions that Elio and Gloria had to it, but Gloria made a funny joke about the possibility of Berlusconi being in there too (because of the underage girls), and it was a good laugh.

Spending time with them was absolutely the best time I've had in Rome. At times, I was very overwhelmed when I didn't understand things, and sometimes there was silence because we didn't know how to communicate what we wanted to say, but getting to know my family was the main reason I chose to study in Italy this semester. I've been blessed so far with so many different opportunities, and they will all stay with me, but I know that the conversations (as broken as some might have been) will be the best souvenirs I'll ever be able to get.

Interesting facts that will just boggle your mind.

1. Italians eat very fast. Even though the meals last for hours, the actual time eating each dish is very short. Or I am just a slow eater. Somehow this did not rub off on my Aunt Marion, because I remember she was a very slow eater as well, but Bern takes the gold in this department. (Bern, you better practice inhaling a bit quicker before coming here.)

2. I'm considering asking the government for a grant to complete a study. Not really, but it was really interesting to observe some of the characteristics and behaviors of my family, because they are very similar to that of my dad. (Dad, Elio really reminded me of you in many of his actions.)

3. I'm very glad I gave up the vegetarianism dealio. Especially after today's feasts. Somehow I know Italy would not be the same if I was just eating their different plants.