Shopping for Picnic Things...Not My Best Thing in Italy!

Today started off a little rough! Anna came and woke me up this morning, sweet but not the easiest way to wake up! She is full of energy in the morning and I don't think she understands that I have NONE in the morning. After the girls and I colored a little bit, we were off to the little shop down the street to buy our picnic items for lunch. We decided to go to the local swimming pool for the afternoon and Gianna left me a list of things to get from the shop. It mostly has cheeses and meats to buy with a small bread, pasta, and fridge section. The problem is...I have no idea how to ask for a certain pound or whatever they measure meat in here! Gianna told Giulia what to say to the lady at the shop but I had a feeling it wasn't going to go well! When we arrived, we asked the lady for 10 panini rolls. She pointed to the empty baskets behind her with a smirk and said something in Italian that translated to, you are out of luck girlfriend! There was only one left...that would not feed all of us! So I went to the small bread section, hoping I could find something that we could successfully make sandwiches out of. The last time Gianna sent me out for bread, I bought a loaf of good, thick white bread that looked perfect for sandwiches or french bread in the oven. She said to me when I got home, "Were they out of paninis? Why did you buy this kind?" Well, I wasn't about to buy that bread again...even though it would be perfect for a good sandwich! So, I bought some small breads in a package that looked like they would be okay. This bread is really hard but that's how they like their bread here so I thought maybe it would work? We asked for 2 etti proschutto, which I guess for us is a pound? We also needed 2 ricotta fresca but the lady said they didn't have any more. Well, this wasn't going as planned. I wasn't about to buy the wrong cheese and just guess for one because I don't know what any of them taste like! This isn't an easy decision like choosing colby jack or cheddar...some cheeses in the shop are green, some very yellow, and even smoked. I didn't know what to do...but then there was a savior! The delivery cheese man came just in time while I was paying and the nice lady went and took 2 ricotta fresca for us to take home. It worked out after all! Well, at least I thought so. Gianna called me at home while I was making the sandwiches to see how it went at the shop. I told her what the name of the bread was and she said, "No, no, it is impossible to eat with that bread! It is only for breakfast!" Okay, I don't really understand because to me, it tastes like white bread that sat out on the counter for a day or two. It isn't sweet, salty, buttery...nothing different that would make it be only a breakfast item! I was confused but too late now...the sandwiches were made! I cut up some lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese for the sandwiches but Gianna thought it was a nice, but different salad! I told her it was the toppings for the sandwiches and she thought they was kind of strange...I don't think they have a Subway here! The toppings options would be very overwhelming! Their sandwiches here don't have any sauce usually and rarely anything but cheese and meat. Since I am a "put everything on it but onions" kind of girl, this transition has been hard for me! So, off we went to wait for the bus to come. It arrives every half hour at 25 minutes and 55 minutes. Finally it came and I loaded all our bags onto the bus. Gianna thought it was so funny about the bread that she said, "Don't forget to talk about that in the blog!" Oh my, so it wasn't my best shopping day but it all worked out. We stayed at the pool from 1:00 to 7:00! These little girls sure do know how to swim! They are the best swimmers I have ever seen for their age! They love diving, jumping off of any height, and they can swim really fast! I am impressed! It was nice to watch them swim in the little pool for kids while I took some time to read my book. What a relaxing day! I think I have mentioned this before but the toilets at the pool are just gross...I don't understand them. It is literally a hole in the ground and you just squat and go! Just weird and wrong...I really don't like it! Anytime I see a restroom, I pray that it is a normal toilet and not that kind! Tonight, Gianna made many kinds of fish. The only one I knew was salmon. It wasn't my favorite because I never eat fish. It was really funny because Angelo told me after dinner that he really hated the fish tonight but kept eating it and told Gianna he loved it! He is very sweet to her! I asked Angelo today why he was so tired and he said it was because he couldn't sleep without Gianna there last night. She was out pretty late with all her girlfriends. So sweet! Ciao for now, we are all very sleepy and I want to get some rest! I am sunburned...again...even with SPF 70...which by the way is unheard of here. They think SPF 15 is a lot! Ciao!