LEARNING ENGLISH

Everywhere I go in this part of Piemonte (peeay MOHN tay) in Italy, the people are so very friendly, and EVERYONE wants to practice their English. All students are required to take English even as early as elementary school; but unless you are in a large city, there aren’t many English-speaking people around with whom to practice. 

When we first arrived, we wanted to get some yummy gelato (je LA toh). When we walked into the gelateria (je lah tah REE ah) and said, “Buon giorno (bwown ZHOOR no),”  Emmanuella greeted us in Italian. Peter asked her if she spoke English, and she immediately said, “A little.” Peter said, “Would you like to practice your English?!” She eagerly said she would. Just at that moment, a young boy came in the door. He jumped into the conversation, “I do! We learn English but we cannot practice.” That started the first of many conversations where we talked with both of them about school and gelato. They tried to say something in English, then Peter or I would figure out what they were trying to say, and we would say something in English to help them. Then, we would say something in Italian back, and they would correct our Italian. We had a great give and take conversation, and all of us learned how much fun it was to use our new languages with someone who was willing to work together. Such a feeling of welcomed togetherness and accomplishment!

From this experience, we are hopeful that we have many more opportunities for gelato and for getting to know Italians by working on languages together. These relationships are so rich, and we are having such fun getting to know new people and their beautiful language!!!

Ciao! (CHOW)

Colleen

UNEXPECTED RELATIONSHIPS

Some of the most treasured relationships are those that happen unexpectedly. On a recent delayed flight to Italy, Peter and I waited an extra hour at the terminal for Delta to exchange planes. At first that seemed like an inconvenience, but it soon turned into a blessing.

Sabrina, the wife of the couple sitting on the seats directly across the aisle from us, sat down and announced to her husband Gavin that she had heard a Delta representative tell some of the Delta staff that the flight would be 45-60 minutes late boarding. We heard her comment and mentioned to her that we had rushed our great supper to get to the gate for boarding at the advertised time. That led to an animated discussion of the worth of eating food that was fresh AND savoring in a relaxed manner each well-prepared, fresh meal.

As it turned out, Sabrina was raised in Milan and had owned and been the chef for 6 restaurants in southern Florida before she married her husband.  After she married, she sold all of the restaurants but has continued cooking for friends and family whenever she is asked or needed. Passionate about food is a mild thing to say about Sabrina.

We all continued a delightful conversation about cooking and food until our flight was finally ready for boarding. Much to our delight, Sabrina and Gavin were assigned the seats directly in front of us on the plane, and by the end of our flight, we had exchanged emails and made plans to meet while we were all in Italy. We had so very much in common and enjoyed each others’ company.

Thanks for making that long trip so enjoyable, Sabrina and Gavin! I’m thankful for your friendship and am looking forward to a fun Italian get-together very soon,

and a long relationship in the future.

Ciao!

Colleen