Something Else

My Zia Lena's husband, Bruno passed away 13 years ago. I am really sorry I never got to meet or know him. Everyone talks about how wonderful he was, every person has a different story but he was loved by them all. Thirteen years later everyone still talks about him. That's special.

I have a habit of repeating words I hear and like. The other day I heard 'spettacolo' (spectactular) and repeated it without thinking while at the dinner table. My Zio Beni is a fairly serious man and he just laughed at me.

The words I heard today were 'sposini freschi' it means 'newlyweds'. My Zia was telling us how her and Zio Bruno came over to Australia on a boat shortly after they were married. It was a 15 day holiday while they stopped in at different spots. Sposini freschi doesn't actually translate literally. It would say 'little married fresh'. The way she talked about it was as though it was last week, last year, some time recently. She spoke of her 'sposini freschi' status with a little glint of the childish excitement she had all those years ago.

Last night was the first time in about 2 years where I actually missed my Nonno. His character, the way he commanded everything around him even without saying anything, his laughter, the way he said our names, the way he was 'King' and 'Charlie' and 'Dad' and 'Nonno' and 'Pa'. I just thought it was worth mentioning.

<3 to your mother.

Holy Mother of God

I have to let you all know - you are SEVERELY missing out on some of the hottest advertising in the world. When it comes to perfumes and colognes, the Europeans make the most out of the fact that 'sex sells'.

This ad makes me feel all funny on the inside and I'm not even exaggerating. The eyes, the smile, the mouth, that body.... *sigh* Sorry boys, this one's for the girls. I will never tire of watching this ad.

Other great ads are by Dior, YSL and Jean Paul Gaultier. There was a JPG ad for the guys but I couldn't find it. Sorry boys.

<3 to your mother.

Things of Note

Things I've forgotten to mention so far

I love the way the language sounds here.

I love the way sales people say 'Grazie arrivederci' with every syllable sounded out and the 'r's' that roll off the tongue.

Due to the lack of space, instead of having unique gardens and house fronts, these homes have unique doors. I've captured some, not all.

I love the phrase 'facciamo così' (meaning 'we'll do it like this') It just sounds amazing

Prego ('you're welcome') is another favourite

I like the way my Zia Lina speaks a few words in English. She got something spot on today and got all shy like a little kid. Just gorgeous.

Being stopped by strangers that say 'You're the Australians aren't you?' and proceed to tell us their link to our family (today it was the village tailor that used to pick my Nonno up from the airport)

Hearing that our family can see my Nonno in Tom.

Then being told that he sits in the same place Nonno did and has a few of the mannerisms too.

Walking to no where in particular and seeing some of the most amazing views in the world.

Squealing like a little kid at everything that's going on.

Drives through mountains.

Taking photos like there's no tomorrow.

Bonding time with mum.

Playing Italian card games at the local bar.

I think that's all for now.

<3 to your mother.

Pescara

Oh, hi Blog! Fancy seeing you here.

I've avoided you recently, for lack of anything nice to say. It's just started getting to me how much I miss particular people. It's interesting what time and distance can do to a person. I loev it here, I really do, perhaps if they joined me, then I'd be ok.

This has been the best trip of my life, my whole family has gotten on pretty fantastically despite being so close it can be hard to escape. The family we're staying with have gone out of their way for us, helping my dad and brother go skiing without it costing an arm and a leg. We're taken shopping, we eat feasts of meals twice a day, foce fed food we can't possibly fit in our tummy's. We're invited to houses with people mum met more than 30 years ago and we all joke and laugh and have the grandest time, just as you'd imagine an Italian family dinner would be. Even with the language barrier for dad and Tom, they still manage to communicate, through mum, through me, through the Italians that can speak English and hand signs and slow talking. It's beyond comprehension, beyond what I can explain only with words. It's amazing, it's a dream, it's a scene from a film, it's my world, it's my life.

I am ever so greatful. I am not taking this for granted.

<3 to your mother.

Pescara & Family

This morning we were up and at 'em early so we could catch a lift with my mum's cousin's wife into the city. We were to spend the morning roaming around the city of Pescara and then catch a train to Chieti Scalo, another little town. For reference, they're all little, so I'll stop using that descriptor. We were fairly early so not everything was open as yet, but there were some stores that we found that were, and they sold some fairly decent stuff too. I tried on this awesome jacket, it was on sale, about €65 I think, and if it had fit I would have bought it. Straight out. But alas, one size was too small and the other way too big. *pouts* heh. Mum found this gorgeous frilled top however and maybe, just maybe I might be able to score a couple of wears out of it too.

Tom dragged us into this store after seeing the wall of shoes near the entrance. It was a wicked store with the brand - WeSC (or similar) We are the Superlative Conspiracy. They stocked Tokidoki too, which is only a name I'd heard of before, not seen. Tom managed to find a very nice pair of jeans and the guys there asked us (mum) where we were from and conversation ensued. It was a lovely experience!

We decided to at least check out where we had to catch the bus to Chieti Scalo from and given that the weather was a little miserable, we decided to head there early and take a look around.

However.... we missed the stop and ended up at Chieti Alto. (Scalo, is the foot of the hill [and it's a bloody big hill] and Alto is the top). SOooooo we had to catch the same bus back. The us driver forgot to tell us our stop, so we got off the bus two stops later. We have nicknamed this trip "The Long Way" because no matter which way we go, it always seems to be the long way (we have subsequently named anything that takes us the long way 'Mum's Way').

In the end we made it back to Chieti Scalo right on time!

And then our lift was late so we were surrounded with school kids and cigarette smoke. All part of the experience no? :)

This afternoon it was time to do the family rounds so our host (my Nonno's sister in law) wouldn't get grief from the locals for hogging us. Three ladies, all in their late 70's and 80's. One was still living with her husband and he new a few things in english (how are you, Christmas, good night) SO adorable. They don't speak English and my brother & dad don't speak Italian so it's quite enjoyable to translate bits and pieces for them. The connection between my mum and these families is only small to begin with, and they're elderly so the conversations were fairly the same. The first question asked by each of them was 'how long are you staying?' Because of course we have to eat with them! :) It's quite a lovely feeling to be so welcome in the homes of near strangers.

I didn't take the camera with me so I'll have to next time. This village, where we're living is tiny. The piazza is tiny, with no shops backing onto it. There is one 'Bar' (sells coffee as well as booze) and one shop, but I only caught a glimpse of it today and am not sure what it sells. It's a step back in time.

There is so much other stuff that has happened. I can't believe how much I'm skipping in these posts. Tomorrow I have the opportunity to go horse riding (not sure if I'll go as yet cause I'd just like to stop), on Friday I may be able to go to the school where my Zia (mum's cousin's wife) teaches. My Zia's english is really good and she is patient with my Italian. I stick to the words I know, and when it gets too difficult, I refer back to english.

Despite the fullness of my days and the sleepiness that clouds my head, I am very happy here.

<3 to your mother.

Pescara

Guess what kiddos! Today, we are going to the MOUNTAINS!!! *inserts massive big cheesey grin face here*

It's not as though they're 'that' far away really. All you have to do is look out our bedroom window, et voilà! They're there. Bit of a spin out really.

Mountains.

SNOW.

COLD!!!

*sings*

How cool is that?

(answer : ice coldddd. You know, like the song?... you catch my drift)

Anyway, must dash, have to shower. I smell.

<3 to your mother.

Pescara!

Yes folks, we have arrived!! Safely too, I might add. The train trip was pretty long and I avoided sleep at all costs. Well, that's not actually true. I would have loved to have slept. But I didn't.

It's been awesome here, you have to learn the language fast, but there is a lot you can understand just from picking up words and intonations and things. They're all very welcoming and made us feel very at home. We had our first cooked meal last night and my god it was good!!! Pasta, salsiccia (sausages), salad, farm cheese, bread, fruit.... we were SO full!

A major bonus is that they have a 27'' mac. It's MASSIVE. I've spent the morning going through all the photos that have been taken, seeing which ones worked, which ones didn't. I'm pretty proud of how some of them turned out to be quite honest!

Anyway, I've managed to upload a few (only a few) to my flickr so feel free take a look through the new ones. These are from London, Paris & Munich, haven't even caught up properly yet *sigh* glad I have some extra time off work when I get back to go through them properly.

My flickr is HERE!!! Let me know what you think of the photos. Although, having said that, I've saved the good ones 'til I get home.

<3 to your mother.