There are a few things I have forgotten to mention, as well as some things that are new which I should share with everyone! Where should I begin? I told you all about my experiences in Venice, in pouring down rain or when it was piovendo gatti e cani (raining cats and dogs). I however, left out my observations on umbrella use in small streets, no more than 4 or 5 feet wide. As one learns in Italy, if you are on a skinny road you stay to one side or the other. A slim road with umbrellas makes this already stressful task even more interesting. As one chose to lift their arm, raising their umbrella above the heads of others, everyone coming the opposite way must recognize their maneuver and lower their umbrella. This all become fascinating, as I watched each person recognize those around them and move their umbrella accordingly. You could count on having one or two every couple of small streets who would not catch on and hit their umbrella against yours. This small, yet mathematical procedure made for a more entertaining adventure to our destination.
Tuesday the Swabs, who are teaching the science and society class, took their students to a farm right outside of the city. I chose to take my bike and go along for the adventure, and I am surely glad I did! When we arrived I was already in love with the house, placed in the valley with mountains surrounded me, 360 degrees. As if the scenery wasn’t enough, this family makes wine. We had the chance to see one of the seven brothers of the family move a “mashed up” grape solution from a “mask,” which stores the substance until it is time to be made into wine, to a wine press. After transferring the grapes, he covered them with wood in order to begin the pressing process. People took turns pumping the press and creating the juice, which would be filtered to its final state as wine. This family also keeps their own prosciutto(like country ham in the states) and cans their vegetables. It all reminds me a lot of my mom’s parents. They also have chickens (and one rooster of course), dogs, cats, cows (mucche) and pigs. All of the farm animals were another small reminder of the small hometown I come from. The afternoon ended with the amazing spread of snacks they had prepared for us. Eating when I return to the states will most likely never be the same, because it seems every time I eat in Italy I have the best conversation and community. It is a beautiful thing.
The week continues to move right along, as does every day here in Italy. Today is my birthday, and celebrating a birthday in Italy is most likely once in a lifetime for me. The girls filled my wardrobes with 20 balloons (one for good luck) and gave me a list of 19 tasks I must complete by Sunday. Readers will hear about the rest of the activities after checking in at the end of the weekend. Well, you will hear of most of the activities, but perhaps not all! Until then, CIAO
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