A few days ago I began a week long stay with a friend of mine and her family. She was born in Texas and married a man from Boston, whose family is from Italy. As it turns out, they own a house and apartment in Lucca and Jane (my friend) actually coordinated the school group trip here. She taught me Latin originally (when I was 12!) and now here I am sleeping on her couch! Its strange how things work out. So, her husband, Mark, is now the owner of his fathers house in Lucca and they stay there in the summers. They lived in Lucca for five years with their three kids before moving back to the States, and in fact one of their kids was born in Italy. Mark has a daughter from a previous arrangement, Mari, who lives in Austin and Jane has a daughter from a previous marriage, Sophie, who lives with her. Then, Jane and Mark had a son, Mickey, together. Mari stays with them in the summer and also every other weekend. The kids are really delightful; I love watching them play together. Jane and Mark have been really good parents to them. In addition to this crowd, Marks dad is staying in Lucca, in the connected office, with us.
The location of their house is literally blocks away from the city walls and from all of the pasta shops, internet cafes, dolcerias (sweet shops) etc. I can walk anywhere in just a few minutes, which is so freeing.
The "neighbors" who actually lease out their main house are very friendly Australians. They run a family business in Lucca and have four kids, who are very sweet. The whole garden comes alive everyday with the hustle and bustle of creative kids making up new games and new rules and getting further and further into the childs world. Its very interesting to watch and has drawn me from my reading more than once.
Some things about Italy:
1. People are very friendly about the language. I know very little Italian, and yet, they always want to accept what I know and help me along. I met a man at an internet cafe and after my second visit, he was already giving me discounts and trying to help me with my Italian.
2. In the supermarket and on the road, Italians are in their own worlds. On the road, if you are walking and youre in the way, they WILL run you over. In the supermarket, they dont move when you want to get by.
3. Italians dont have shop open from 1-4 every day. They start work around 8:30 AM and close around 6:00 PM and from 1-4 they dont work. Its a more laid back atmosphere.
4. If you are speaking with the elderly and you tell them that you dont know much Italian, they will speak to you in rapid-fire Italian anyways.
5. Pasta is inexpensive here and underrated in the States.
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Wow...I love the things you've learned about Italians. I want to be there and learn the language and pretend to be a local. I could do it...it's all about good acting! Well...that, and actually knowing Italian. So, have you had many conversations with elderly in "rapid fire"? I'm going to talk to my dad about closing the business around 1 and opening up at 3 or 4...see what he says. I'm down! Then again, we're not exactly all that laid back here. Is it more laid back that Austin? Imagine a New Yorker in Italy! By the way, I love this blog idea. It's awesome getting to hear all about your adventures. You are amazing! Ok...time for bed. I'll write later.
Love,
John d.
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