The New Year in Italy!

Maria - Well the New Year has been interesting. We spent New Years Eve with a couple of teachers (one very generous teacher invited us to join in on their plans) and although we were with 24 people who were practically strangers and everything was in italian -it was better than sitting alone in our apartment - it's amazing how strangers quickly start looking like friends. The people were very welcoming, wine was flowing and the dinner was an eight course meal. Then there were fireworks, lots of hugging and kissing (Michael and I never kissed so many strangers) and saying Agura a bunch of times (which means best wishes and is used for many celebrations), At the end of the night they served lentils and pork - I guess it's a New Year's tradition here, but I must admit, a little weird. Trying to be in the moment and embrace the italian way, I did try one spoonful! Not sure I want that again. On New Years Day, Maria and her husband (new school friends and the family we slept with) took us to a couple of small towns , Trevignano, Bracciano (where the castle that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes got married in) and Anguillara. They were beautiful towns around a lake, with medieval towns, ancient churches with old crypts that would blow your mind. The history here is amazing!


Since the last posting I have tackled the washing machine situation and it wasn't so bad. I just have to get used the the time it takes to line dry the clothes - I think that's the metaphor for being in Italy - everything takes time! Michael and I finally found the school - after several attempts. Met a few people, but the elementary secretary, Erika, was not in yet - probably for the best, I'm still not over the loss of Joyce and Cathy! I hope once the teachers and students arrive it feel more real. I did meet one teacher today who made me realize I want to move already - yes you heard that right - I want to live closer to the city! Might as well do it before I accumulate "stuff" - right now it's just clothes and Michael and me. Tonight we are off to dinner at Fr. Greg & Tom's home- imagine Michael, me and the two priests - things just keep getting stranger! In two days is the Feast of the Epiphany - I hear everything closes down - we do have a dinner invitation - free meals are always welcome - (don't get paid until end of month). That's all for now!

Michael-New Years was fun. We got to meet some new people including: a science teacher from the school, he looks exactly like the scientist, Doc, from the movie, Back To The Future - he kind of acted like him too, his son Dennis who is in 9th grade, andtheir big extended italian family. Mom andI are at the school now and are sitting in her office. It feels strange to be in a new office and school - I was so used to everything and everybody at KHS. The people we met here so far are very nice, but no one can replace Joyce and Cathy. This has been a very fun adventure so far.