Lucca - Week 2

It's been pouring rain for the last few days and the girls and I have been sick with a cold. So, needless to say, we've been a little home-bound and cooped up. Since my last blog we have found a pre-school for Georgia at a local Italian school just outside the walls. The school is in a home (more like a mansion) that was built back in the early 1800's. The playground is absolutely beautiful. It's very simple with a little playhouse, old swing (the kind where you sit facing someone and you have to push and pull the middle bar to get it to swing), a sand area, and a huge garden/lawn covered with hundred year old pine and magnolia trees. Their classroom is outside unless it is raining (just what we wanted for her). They only speak Italian to the kids except on Tuesday's when Deborah comes to teach them English. Georgia is not the only English speaking kid. I believe there are a couple others. There are about 10 kids total in the pre-school part. She absolutely loves it there and is excited to start. She seems to be craving the interaction with other kids and needs the stimulation.

Last week, our friends Benny and Isa took us over to their friends house for dinner. Wonderful people! But, let me explain the meal........
Remember, I am allergic to shell fish, don't eat regular fish, and hardly ever eat meat unless I know exactly where it came from. Aric, doesn't touch fish (except for tuna in the can) and is very picky when it comes to unfamiliar things. With that said, we arrive to Silvia and Poulo's house. Silvia spent all day cooking this very traditional Italian meal for Aric and I. It started with sardine bruschetta (tail, fins, head all included). Then came the octopus (with the suction cups) with chick peas (love chick peas). Following that, came fresh tuna (sorry Aric, not from a can) with potatoes (ok, not too far fetched). Lastly, were prawns in an olive oil and garlic sauce. Sitting out on the table were different varieties of prosciutto and salamis. Now, to you who love fish, this meal probably sounds fabulous. Again, remember us? Since I have an allergy to some fish, I was easily excused from eating this meal with out being rude. Aric, on the other hand, had no excuse (other than he doesn't like it). So, he had to try everything to not offend Silvia. Thank goodness no one was watching because he began to salivate and had to wait for the heaves to subside (poor guy!). We felt terrible! A lot of time, energy and love went into this meal. Silvia was so kind as to make Georgia and Francesca a plate of pasta with homemade marinara sauce........yummy! Georgia didn't finish hers so mom did! When we got home, Aric raced to the kitchen and devoured a bowl of cereal.

We bought Georgia a used bike. Pink with some kind of Italian characters on it (not sure), training wheels and a broken fender. She picked out a Buzz Light Year bell to go on the handle bars and a Hello Kitty helmet (Hello Kitty is BIG here!). She is just like her mom, very cautious until comfortable. It took her a few days but now she's roll'n! She rode it to get chocolate gelato after dinner last night.

As I was running on the walls the other day I saw six grown men (in their 60's) sitting around a picnic table. Every single one of them talking............not a one seemed to be listening! I actually slowed my run to a walk just to see how long this would go on. It went on! They were seriously talking and listening at the same time. Benny later told me that this was very common within the Italian culture. He said, in general, Italians are not good listeners. Hmmm, something I will continue to observe and get back to you on.....

Our apartment lies on the corner of a VERY busy road and the pathway to the high school. We constantly hear scooters, cars, horns, people chatting, and teenagers.......well, being teenagers. There is a very good restaurant (so we hear but have yet to go to) around the corner. The back door to their kitchen is just across from us so we hear the banging of pots and pans and the chatter of the chefs as they b.s. the night away. The other night they put their garbage outside the back door and left a pizza box right under the rain gutter.............. it was like a drum session! Oh, and just downstairs from our bedroom is a guy who seems to own a restoration business. He's refinishing doors and windows with of course all the noisy tools you need to restore stuff! He starts at 7:00am sharp! At first it was difficult to sleep with all the hustle bustle but it now has become dull background noise. Even Francesca (the lightest sleeper EVER) sleeps through most of the noises.

Speaking of teenagers.......... we hear them every morning and see them every afternoon when school gets out........... 95% of them smoke. It's crazy! Georgia keeps saying, "they need to go to time-out.......smoking's bad!". Besides that, I have to say, the teenagers here are so much more self confident and comfortable (if that makes sense). They seem so much more mature than the high schoolers/teenagers at home. Not sure what it is but I'm guessing it' the culture. Overall, people seem more self confident here. Women walk around with way more sex appeal and assertiveness than we do and men with way more conviction.
No one is super sweet but yet no one is disrespectful (well, maybe not no-one but most). There are a lot (I mean a lot!) of cars and bikes in this small town and we all share the same compact cobblestone streets. If you're not watching, you WILL get hit. And yet, no one is yelling at the other person or flipping them the bird. They're not waving the thank you hand either but there is this sense of awareness.......you are on your path, I am on mine and here we meet but just for a brief moment.

Tonight we are going over to Benny and Isa's house for homemade pizza and vino.
Aric is at their house now fixing their lawnmower (yes, that's right.......but if you know Aric, it makes sense).

Ciao for now:)
xoxo