Allison's Wonderland

Yesterday, Simona, Mattia and I went to this church with a round dome and then we also went to the tower of Mondovi. It was pretty cool. I really liked the church. This gets me to Mass. Simona's parents were in town this weekend, and they were going to go to Mass, so I decided to tag along.

We made Meatballs in the morning and then we were off to Mass! 10 Minutes before Mass starts I already have a problem. I have to pee like a race horse and after asking Nonna (Grandma) where the banjo is, I get the torturous reply of, “The church doesn't have one.” In order for me to go to the bathroom before the service I have to go outside to one of the local shops. Why did I drink that huge cup of coffee this morning?!? Aios MIO! Nonno (Grandpa) graciously offers to take me back home in order to do my business, but by this time, the choir starts singing. I thank him, but decide to wait it out. Here we go!

The priest comes out and is dressed in this gold and purple dress like thing (?). Not sure what it was. I would love to see Pastor Jonathan in that outfit on Sunday! He would receive some emails I'm sure. The choir boys or whatever they're called, because they never really sung, were in red and white dresses. I think I might be embarassed to wear that, but none of them were. These guys were my source of entertainment throughout the service. I couldn't understand a word of what the priest was saying so I had to find other places to look. If anything, the service was extremely good people watching. The choir boys kept whispering to one another. One looked like he wanted to kill someone. I don't think he was happy to be there. Everytime they would get up off the stage, when they came back, they would bow before this book. Kind of strange. I'm assuming it was the Bible

It was amazing to me that with a town of 6,000 people, Villanova has this huge church right in the middle. It's not your rinky dink kind of church either. The walls and ceilings have beautiful paintings of Biblical scenes, the walls are marble, and marble columns are everywhere in colors of red, gray and green. It's amazing. I also noticed that they do not heat the church. Everyone sits with their coats on. If you don't, you'll freeze.

At one point during the service this monk looking guy with kind of a hunchback came around to collect everyone's offering. He carries this thing that looks like a fishing net. He also has a severe under bite. Of course Mattia makes a comment about why his jaw is the way it is and has Nonno and Nonna laughing. By the time I figure out what's being said, I start laughing too. Anyway, He comes down each row giving you the stink eye. I didn't have any euros with me to give, so I just smiled at him. That's when I got the death look. Yikes! The death look from a hunchback monk with a severe under bite. I was a little scared. I'll bring some Euros next time. I did notice that almost everyone gave something. Maybe they were scared of getting the stank eye too. I don't know.

During the service, there was a point where we had to get down and kneel on the benches in front of us. I asked Nonna, “What do we do now” but that was kind of a stupid question, as I could have just followed the crowd. I knelt down and WHOA I felt like I was 85 years old. My knees started to hurt the second I was on the wooden bench and then trying to get back up was also a nightmare! When did I go from 24 to 85? Not sure. That's why I have Mattia around to keep me young and spry! We stood and sat about 5 different times during the service. I just followed like a little lost sheep. They also did communion where the priest puts the little wafer on your tongue. I didn't wait in the long line. I just surveyed the situation. Today was Saint ChinChila day. I'm sure I'm spelling it wrong, but whatever. He's the Patron Saint of Music. There was a band after the service, so we stuck around to hear them play. The whole time I was thinking, “WHERE'S THE BATHROOM!!?!?” I probably won't be revisiting Mass, but maybe. I guess we'll just have to see.

My Thanksgiving to say the least was a little sad...

It started off with meeting Robert at the British school in Mondovi. Simona was nice enough to drive me over there. Afterwards it was me in the house. By myself. All day. In Italy, Thanksgiving isn't a holiday. Why would it be? There were no pilgrims and indians who settled their differences with one another and became friends. Nope. Just another day on the calendar. Kathy Skyped me while putting her bird in the oven and have made before. I guess I didn't use enough milk because it was like paste. I could've laid bricks with that stuff. Oh well. For the most part I think it was a success. I didn't realize Gianluca didn't like apples so instead of eating the apple crisp he put his iPhone in the gelato. Hahah...it made me laugh! :) I was able to Skype the family, which was wonderful! Got to see my little Raeleigh gill whose turning into a fat little chunk of lard! :) I love it!!!

I woke up this morning ready for my first day of school. I haven't been to an actual class in over 2 years. Class started at 8:30 so I had to wake up early. Something I am not fond of doing. I grabbed my lunch pail, kissed Mom goodbye and got in the car with Dad as he drove me to Mondovi where my school was. As he dropped me off I waved goodbye and waited for him to turn the corner as he consistently waved goodbye as well.

Okay, this is not how it went at all, but seriously, being dropped off today at school made me feel like a little kid all over again. HA! Gianluca was nice enough to drop me off, but I didn't wave, and I did not cry. I also did not need a lunch pail as the class was only two hours. :)

Simona and I had checked out the school on Monday. The class is free, and is offered by the state of Italia. I was just nervous about who I would have in class with me. The teacher was cute, but she knew no English whatsoever. Her second language is French as is most people around here.

Come to find out the class is made up of 3 Morroccan's, 2 Chinese girls and about 6 Congonians? I don't know what you would call them, but they're from Congo in Africa. Guess who I sat by? I think I fit in best with the Asians, because the three of us had no clue what we were doing. Everyone else spoke French, so they at least had a grasp on the class. Needless to say, I sat there for two hours and learned how to say, Io Sono Nada Il cinque Augusta, Uno Milione nove cento ottanta sette. I was born on the 5th of August 1987. :) I learned some other words as well, but ya know...it was difficult to understand. Simona picked me up, which was nice of her as well so I didn't have to take the public bus. I'm a little nervous about the public bus as I have no idea where it goes, or the fact that if I do get lost no one will understand me. :) Worst. My next class is Monday! I'm going to give it a couple more tries before I decide whether or not to keep going. I meet with Robert tommorrow who works at the British school. Maybe he can point me in the right direction on my journey to speak Italian!

PRATO NEVOSO

Sorry it's so long, but bear with me!

I have been waiting awhile to get to Prato Nevoso. Actually, its been a little over two weeks, but whatever, I've been waiting! I really wanted to know what this place looked like since I will be living there for the next 3 to 4 months. Curiosity is killer!

After Simona and I dropped Mattia off at school, we headed up to the mountain. Of course we had to stop at the bar on the way. We went up these twisty turny roads, past towns that will never see the sunshine due to the mountains, and a beautiful blue mountain stream that you could probably drink out of with no problem. We finally got to the top where Prato sits, and I can honestly say, it wasn't what I was expecting, but I really don't know what I was expecting. It is weird because I haven't really had any expectations on this trip so when I find out what something is, I'm never disappointed. I kinda like that. We then stopped at another bar to meet up with Francesca and Evan, where we got yet another coffee. I love this place! :) Those who are coffee addicts NEED to come to Italy. Anyway, we went to the ski school, and I must say I got the better end of the deal. While Francesca and Simona cleaned the school, I roamed, wandered and explored the premises. Maybe I should've helped, but I was much to eager to explore.

I took my big camera out and tried to look "official". I didn't want to get yelled at by a big Italian man, because number 1, I wouldn't know what he's saying and number 2, I did not want my exploration hindered in any way. I thought I might get yelled at since I was walking on the slopes, but whatever. I didn't! After walking around the slopes for about an hour I was getting really cold, so I started to head back to the ski school. Then lo and behold across the street, down this hill I look over and see the ruins of an old stone farmhouse. I hopped over the road and was in heaven! This place was so cool and it was in the most picturesque setting. Whoever lived here, had a view that could not be bought. On one side is this beautiful snow covered mountain (Artesina) and in front, way off in the distance but clearly visible, is Monte Viso. This mountain is spectacular and is supposedly the inspriation for Paramount Picture's Logo.

I seriously was in heaven. I took pictures for like an hour and a half. I also went down into this valley like thing and found a mountain stream. It was so beautiful. Naturally I had to pee outside. Why do I like doing this? I don't know, but I just do. No one was around, so I was safe! I sat down and just took in all the beauty. It was going on 1:00 and Simona called, and asked if I got lost. It was going on lunch time!

I met her and Francesca at the ski school and we headed over to the bar again. We met up with Gianluca, and his mother Anita. This is where I had the weirdest, probably one of the worst hamburger's of my life. After reading through the menu, I just wanted to give it a whirl. A cheeseburger is a pretty Americanized food, so I wanted to see what an Italian burger would taste like. The lady asked what I wanted on it so I told her mayo, cheese, ketchup and that sounded fine. When the burger came out it was on panini type bread. Okay, no big. I'll eat that. But when I bit into it, it was covered in mayo. Like covered. I opened it up and I couldn't even see the burger. So I tried to scrape off all the excess. It didn't have any ketchup on it either. Just mayo. Wasn't a huge deal. I then got to the burger, and it was extremely thin. It tasted like the country fried steak from Cracker Barrel, only without the fried part. I reluctantly ate the whole thing, because the lady who made it was watching me. I didn't want to let her down. It's big not to waste food in Italy.

Before eating my burger I washed my hands and when I got in the restroom I was suprised. First I thought I was in the men's, but no, it was an unisex restroom. The toilet was in the floor. How do you use this thing? I didn't want to find out. It was weird. After I got done washing my hanny pads, as mother would say, I asked Simona about the toilet. She said in Italy most public restrooms are this way because it's cleaner. As a female, you just got to get down and squat. I'd rather pee outside. :) Ha! It was just fun, so I had to take a picture.

After lunch we of course had to have coffee and chocolate. It's just the Italian way. We went back to the ski school and I headed for the hills. Literally. I went to the opposite side this time and came across this field like thing on the top of the hill with the best view of Monte Viso. I had to sing "The Hills are Alive" and twirl because it was just that kind of a place. So I did. :) Needless to say it was a beautiful day with just me and myself in the hills. I can't wait to go back! Maybe next time I'll learn my lesson and order something a little more Italian off the bar menu. :)

Today was my first try doing laundry with an Italian washing machine. The washer wasn't completely different. The settings were all written in Italian so I had to have Simona explain what was what. I could figure out the cotton setting and the hot and cold options, but I wasn't sure how to turn it on. The space for laundry was tiny, like everything else in this country. I fit my socks and underwear for two weeks with about 4 shirts, one pair of pants, and my bathrobe. Not too roomy.



After it was finished washing, I was looking for the dryer. Oh wait, there's not one. The dryer consists of about five lines on the balcony with these things called clothes pins. Ever heard of them? This is old school. It has been pretty cold, but during the day it is warm enough to hang up my stuff. I got nervous because there were little spider webs inbetween the lines and my biggest fear is putting on a pair of pants or a shirt that has a little 8 legged surprise just waiting to feast on my bare flesh. Needless to say I will thoroughly check my clothing before putting them on.



Now here comes the other difficult part...where do I hang my skivvies? Okay here are the options:
Option #1 - I can hang them outside on the line to dry for the world to see. Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandma's, people from the road . . .
Needless to say, I choose to nix option number 1.

Option #2 - Hang them downstairs on the drying rack with everyone elses clothes so Mattia, Simona, Gianluca and any vistors we might have pop by (there has been at least one every day) will be able to see the bare essentials. This whole not having a dryer thing is really starting to be a problem. Instead I go with option 3.

Option #3 - Hang the skivvies anywhere I can find around my room. I start hanging them on the TV mount that doesn't actually have a TV on it. My desk is looking pretty good so I hang some there. I find two chairs in the corner that make for the best makeshift dryer. I have a little underwear tree chair in the corner of my room. Hopefully Mattia will choose not to play in my room after school. I'll keep my fingers crossed! :)

After our trip to Cuneo, Simona had a meeting in Mondovi. It was my duty to pick up little Mattia from school (escuela). For the past several days Mattia has been wanting to go to the cemetary. Don't ask me why. Kind of a morbid thing to want to do for a five year old. Anyway, I was excited to go because Simona told me I would be really surprised how Italians bury their dead.

Instead of me walking to pick Mattia up, Gianluca drove us to the school in his Audi. Riding in style. I was grateful because it was cold out and our walk from the school to the cemetary was a tad bit far. After we got Mattia, we pull up to this place that just looks like a little walled in area of houses. I step out of the car and am perplexed. As I get up to the gate I see that there is just a huge wall of marble. Instead of taking up the space on a huge plot of land, the Italians bury their dead in marble walls. Each family purchases a "wall" or house looking thing. You will have to view the pictures to see what I'm talking about because it's a little difficult to explain. What I like about Italian cemetaries is along with the name and date of birth and death, each wall slot has a picture of the deceased. I wish we did this in the states, because it goes to show that these people were actually alive and living at one point and time. They're not just a name with a bunch of dates.

We went and checked out the gravesite of the Auraldi's. Gianluca's family plot. His Dad recently passed away in September of this year, so it was very sad. As a foreigner it was extremely interesting though. I couldn't believe the amount of marble, pillars and granite in this one little space. I want to know how much they cost because it seems like they would be hundreds of thousands of euros. Maybe I'll ask. It just seems kind of rude. Anyway, that was my second field trip for the day. Very enlightening for sure.

Three things the Italians know how to do right. I'm sure there is more, but this is what I have discovered so far:
Coffee, Chocolate and Pastries

Here's a picture of my favorite chocolate I have had since I've been here. Guess what everybody is getting for Christmas :)? This is pretty much Nuttella in solid form. Out of this world!



Simona and I ventured into Cuneo today. Of course we had to make a stop at the local bar where I got a cup of coffee and a different Nutella filled pastry then I had before. So yummy!

Cuneo is a decent sized down. About 60,000 residents. As Simona was in a meeting with the Sports Association, I went for a walk. Italian window shopping is splendid. I found some super cute stuff and it made me realize how terrible I dress sometimes. I want to be fashionable and fit in. I mean come on now. :) I also came across this plaza (piazza) where on the balcony there were cardboard cuts of people with Hitler in the middle. Did Hitler speak in Cuneo? He might have. I need to Google and find out. I got trapped in the United Colors of Benetton. Oh my gosh the stuff was super cute. Met back up with Simona and we headed to this church. It was all white inside and had some cool stuff. The picture that I took of the white chair and what looks like a cloth is actually carved on there. It's not a blanket. Kind of cool. After our church visit we went to this English school where ironically enough no one spoke English. The woman wasn't very helpful, but whatever.

We then walked back to the car, but on our way we had to stop and get another coffee. :) We were there at about 11:30 and during that time the coffee shop was experiencing Aperitivo. This is the time of day where modern Italians have an early morning cocktail along with little sandwiches about two hours before lunch. I thought it was kind of cool. I think we should implement Aperitivo in the states. Who wouldn't want little sandwiches before lunch? SCHWEET! I ended up getting this drink called a Marocchino which means small cappucino. IT WAS SO GOOD!!

The lady at the English school, who didn't speak English, told Simona that in order to help me learn Italian, I need to learn and go over 10 Italian words a day. Here's the words that I have to learn. Hopefully this might help you learn too! :)

Aperitivo - Drinks and sandwiches before lunch
Marocchino - Cappucino only smaller
Cucchiao - Big Spoon
Cucchiaino - Little spoon
Piatto - Big plate
Piattino - Small Plate
Bicchiere - Drinking Glass
Bicchierino - Small Drinking Glass
Forchetta - Fork
Coltello - Knife
Tovaglia - Table Cloth
Tovaglilo - Napkin
Tazza - Coffee Mug
Tazzina - Espresso Mug (Small)
Tavolo - Table