Treviso = Round 2!

Today was pretty awesome! We left for Treviso around 11:30 and got there about noon, it is the biggest town before Venice on the highway. We parked the car and started our LONG walk to the restaurant for lunch to meet the cousins from Sicily. Angelo never told me that they were my age so I was pretty happily surprised to see them! Angelo and Rafaella came to the north to see the Muse concert a couple days ago, very jealous! They are brother and sister, cousins from Angelo's father's side. Gianna told me there are only 4 names in the family...two of them I can't remember but the others are Angelo for boys and Rafaella for girls. They just keep naming their kids the same names! Angelo said to me that even if he had a son, he would stop that tradition because there are just too many Angelo Giambalvo men in Italy! They were very nice to talk to and spoke English well! Angelo told me that he was in an Italian rock band and so we talked a lot about music. Rafaella and I talked about college mostly because she is going to a different college in the fall in Switzerland! She was very surprised that most American teens leave their parents house at 18. She said that 90% of Italian teens stay with their parents until they are married, even when they go to the university. I think that is more common for southern Italy, not as much here. I can't tell you how often I hear them talking about the big differences there are between northern and southern Italy. There seems to be a big difference in the culture and lifestyles. Anyway, I thought our lunch was pretty good but they were definitely not impressed! They didn't like it at all and said they would never come back. I thought my pasta was good! Some sort of green noodles and lots of cheese! We started walking back to the car and took breaks to shop and take pictures. It was a VERY long walk back but it was worth it! Mom, I found you a nice tablecloth that was at like a Macy's looking place. It was like 5 floors of everything you could think of! It was on clearance of course, and I couldn't resist to get it for you! We said goodbye to the cousins and then drove back to the house. The girls and I fell asleep in the car and then got home and quickly took a shower before dinner. We ate outside and had a great dinner with a light salad, tortilla things, and cheese. Oh yeah, and LOTS of watermelon! The fruit here is delicious! We had a really nice conversation about me being here tonight. Angelo said that he was talking to the cousins today about how much he and Gianna have enjoyed having me here. I was so happy to hear it because I am thrilled that we all have the same feelings about this experience! They asked me if they could have me stay all year long and I said I wish I could! As amazing as Italy is, I think I would miss my family and friends way too much! Gianna and Angelo asked me about my blog and Gianna said that I was a wonderful writer, just from my emails to her before I arrived. She said that they struck her and she knew that we would be great friends and connect right away. I feel so blessed that this situation has worked out so well. Everyday, I never forget where I am and how lucky I am to be here! I have this amazing new family that has exceeded every one of my expectations! I had the best feeling before I came here and knew that it would be wonderful but I never imagined it to be this great. Nat, I just can't wait for you to come and see what I'm talking about. I told them today that the blog just doesn't do it justice, you have to see if for yourself! Mom, we need to come here someday and I will be your personal tourguide! If I do ever get married, I have saved a few places for that to happen! There is a castle on the hill, in the mountains where the refuge is, or at my favorite restaurant in the hills! Then, all my friends and family can come and meet my new family here! Well, all this is a far away dream but if this summer could happen for me, I have faith that all my dreams could come true, right? Ciao for now and sweet dreams!

Venice = Round 2!

Wow, what an awesome day! First, I woke up and got ready for the day while Gianna went for a long run. After she got back, I colored her hair for her! She asked me if I knew how and I said that my bestie Josh does hair and I think I have watched him do it a few times! It turned out really well and Angelo wants me to do his next! We got ready to leave for Venice and we were in the car by 12:30. Venice is only 45 minutes away by car...and Angelo's very fast driving! We parked the car in Piazzale Roma and off we went to find the restaurant for lunch. We met up with Giulio, Gianna's younger brother, at the entrance so it was nice to see him again. We finally found this restaurant, supposedly built in the 14th century and one of the oldest restaurants in Venice. I believe it too because I didn't even get the name of it or had the time to take a picture of it because it is so small and on top of a canal. It was by far the craziest meal I have ever had in my life!!! First, they start off with a mixture of popular Adriatic Sea foods...a raw sardine that still had all the bones, eyes, tail...everything. Then, they have pieces of PURPLE OCTOPUS on the side on top of some green leaf things. Then, a small pile of raw shrimp...tails and all. Then, a piece of swordfish...raw of course. At least I think it was raw, or close to it because it was very rubbery! The worst part for me was the octopus but I ate everything on my plate. I always do even if I hate it and never want it again. They don't take your plate away from the table until you have eaten everything, so I feel I have no choice but to eat every last bite! Then, the next course was spaghetti with red sauce, mixed with mussells and clams....but still in the shells! Oh man, definitely not my favorite but better than the first appetizers. Then, we had a slab of seabass...at least it had a lot of oil so it didn't taste so fishy! As you can probably tell, I am not a huge fan of seafood and I have never eaten more of it in my life! Angelo and Giulio had spaghetti with octopus ink as the sauce!!! I tried a bite and it was just too much for me...the pasta was pure black and just tastes fishy and very salty. Thank the lord for dessert because we all had tiramisu and it was heavenly. It was time to go and explore Venice a little more. We made our way to San Marco square, where Daniel and I had been before. We definitely went on a different path so there was a lot of new things to see. We reached the sea and San Marco square and walked clear to the end where there is a nice cafe with a big garden. We had a coffee and off we went to find the Realto bridge, very famous on the walk to and from San Marco square. It was fun for me to remember all that I had seen with Daniel and then to see it again was pretty amazing. We ate gelato twice on our adventures and stopped for only a VERY small coffee as well. Angelo told me that it is illegal to even ride a bike, vespa, or motorcycle in the streets of Piazzale Roma or San Marco square. I thought people could at least ride a bike but I guess not! If you have to go to the store and you live in the limits of the square, you go by foot....you have no other choice! I can't imagine never using a car or even a bicycle to get around but I guess they find a way to make it work by foot! My feet hurt so bad from walking all day but it was worth it! If I could give one piece of advice for anyone going on a long trip that requires a lot of walking, it would be to bring the most comfortable and reliable pair of walking shoes you can find! Otherwise, your trip will be ruined by blisters and an aching body. Ciao for now, I am going to bed now and sleeping well! The weather was perfect today, about 80 degrees and I didn't get burned! Tomorrow, we are going to Treviso to have lunch with Angelo's cousins. It should be fun! Ciao!