Dinner with Mara and Valerio

US Journal

Oct. 20, 2014

Dinner with Mara and Valerio

It’s very interesting how a small idea can turn into a big plan, all in one night. I knew that Valerio and Mara only had one day each week off, so I suggested that we get together on Monday night, and Mara turned it into a lovely invitation to dinner in their wonderful home. Monica was with me when they invited us, and Mara wanted to include Monica in the invitation. Then, a few days later, I received an email from Mara saying that Ricardo, Lella and their twin daughters, all of whom were present the last time we were invited by Mara and Valerio to have supper in their home, asked if they could join us. What another great idea!

Our delicious 4-course meal made a perfect venue for speaking English and Italian, getting caught up with each other and…this is very important…planning for the twins and Giovani to visit Monica and us in Atlanta next Summer!!! What a delightful idea. Plus, Giovani thought it would be fun to have his good friend Philipe to come along, so now there are 4. Monica and I stopped by the Pasta shop the next day, and Mara verified that all 4 of the young people were very excited about this adventure. We’re excited about their visit, too.

Then it occurred to me that there was really no reason to leave out Valerio, Mara and Alberto, so I put some pressure on Valerio to think about a trip to Atlanta for all of them some time soon. How’s that for more good news!?

Thank you so very much, Mara and Valerio for sharing your home, wonderful meal, family and friends with us! You are truly dear friends. We’re looking forward to hosting you and all of the young people! Oh, please bring with you Ricardo and Lella!

A presto!

Colleen

1st Days in Bra

US Journal

Oct. 15, 2014

1^st Days in Bra

https://plus.google.com/photos/105096135818321367223/albums/6071118550835628657?authkey=CMf76ZCHucHgugE

Bra is as we left it… plenty of great gelato, and lovely friends that we haven’t seen in too long!

Lisa has left to go to Milan for work, and we decided it was our responsibility to take care of Enzo until Lisa returns on Friday night. So, since he had already had lunch, he came with us to Bar Chiavassa, and we talked and talked while Peter and I ate our favorite lunch salad there. As we were finishing, I looked out the window only to find our Monica with her friends the twins walking by. I called to Monica, and they came in to welcome us to Bra. The twins are Lisa and Enzo’s nieces, and Monica has been eating most of her meals with their family while she is staying in Bra with their grandparents Ella and Gionni. What a nice surprise. Monica and I met for affogatto later in the day to start our vacation in Bra in style.

After a quick stop at our favorite pasta shop to say hello to Valerio (You should have seen his surprised eyes when we walked in his shop!), we continued our care of Enzo in the evening by joining him for a delicious meal that he made for us at his house…all the goodies that I love from Enzo’s kitchen! Monica joined us for that meal, which was very nice.

Monica took me for a traditional walk to the Big Store Thursday morning to leave Peter’s shirts to be laundered and to buy some supplies for later. We again stopped by our pasta shop, and Mara was there with Valerio. We talked a long time and arranged a dinner at their house on Monday night, their night off from pasta making. That will be such fun! As we travelled on to the Big Store, we were gravely disappointed to realize that my favorite gelato shop was closed, but we will look for more gelato later!

I heard from her later in the day that she and Rosella, the twins’ mother, wanted me to join them for a walk along the river. It was so very good to see Rosella and get caught up with her family and all that they have been doing.

In the evening, we took Enzo for yet another fabulous meal, this time at Il Fiore Restaurant, where our friend Gregoire is owner. We were also treated there when our Italian tutor Sara came by, and Francesco and his girlfriend Sara met us to say hello. So good to run into great friends in Bra.

Peter’s spending lots of time working on the details of the Italian Students’ Stage with us in Atlanta in November. He and Francesco are working hard to make it really special for the students.

More later, Ciao!

Colleen