Italy Journal
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Enzo’s Daughter
What a delightful surprise we had today meeting Enzo’s daughter Julia and her boyfriend Giovani. We talked for a long time around the table at Lisa and Enzo’s new house before somebody cracked and said, “Ok, this is fun, but there’s lots of work to do.” A half-moved-in new house just begs for people to keep working until it’s all put together, and Lisa especially likes for things to be neat and tidy.
A table was dissembled for Julia to take back, but it still didn’t fit in the car. Che bella! Giovani and Enzo work 3 hours to finally get the tv working. Che bella! Some of the pictures to be hung were put in their places, ready for Enzo’ approval, then installation. Four hours later, another dent had been made in the work to be done, and we had all gotten to know each other better.
Giovani and Julia live in Rome, and they rarely get to Bra. Peter and I felt like family again when Lisa and Enzo invited us to share some of their time here.
We hope to see you again soon, Giovani and Julia. It was so very nice to meet you.
Colleen
Italy Journal
Thursday, August 23, 2012
To Rossella and Terrencio’s house in the Piedmont Mountains
What a fun time we had on our day trip to Rossella (Neighbor Lisa’s sister) and Terrencio’s house in the Piedmont Mountains.
The trip there was exquisite…2 hours of scenery like we had seen on our trip to France with Monica. Driving in those mountains took a very careful driver, and Peter was wonderful, even when we met a transfer truck as we rounded a switchback. Fortunately, there was a place for us to pull over about 20 feet behind us. That truck definitely had the right of way. After 50 or so more switchbacks, we arrived at a wonderful cabin that had been renovated by Terrencio and Rossella. Everything had a creative touch about it. Doors and benches had been made from old wooden beds. There was a great porch, where we ate lunch and overlooked the mountains and valleys. It was rustic and grand at the same time. We loved it there.
Valerie, Victoria and Monica’s friends the twins Beci and Demi were there with their parents, and another friend Alice was staying a few days with them. They are still talking about when any of you might come back to see them.
Soon after we arrived, the group took off for an easy trek on the mountain roads. Terrencio decided to stay behind to make a wonderful pineapple upside down cake, which made hurrying through the hike appealing. The girls started out with us, but they turned back after a while. Peter, Rossella and I saw some ancient houses, mill wheels and scenery. One of the shepherds came by on a motorbike (modern times!) with his 2 dogs running at top speed behind him. Rossella recognized him, and we commented about the bright yellow staff he had in his backpack.
Rain cut our walk short after a little over an hour, when Terrencio called to say he was coming to get us in the car. I didn’t need for my cast to get wet, so I was relieved that he came.
The girls and Terrencio had already had lunch, so the rest of us pulled out the ham and cheese focaccia from our backpacks and enjoyed that with some of Rossella’s super tea and Terrencio’s out-of-sight pineapple upside down cake for lunch with a view that changed every few minutes. Between the fog, the rain and the landscape, it was as good as having a private movie made just for us. We all agreed that we might get tired of museums and the crowd, but we would never get tired of this scenery.
Terrencio shared some wine and sat with us, and it was delightful to get to know him better. Language wasn’t a problem because everybody knew how to say what they were talking about, or they would change languages and someone else would fill in for them. It was so comfortable and welcoming.
Our twisty, turning drive back to Bra was full of remembering conversations and the fun time we had with all of them.
Thank you, Rossella, Terrencio, Beci, Demi and Alice for making our day trip to the mountains in Piedmont absolutely fabulous.
Colleen
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