Ciao!
I wish I could post pictures, but it remains impossible for now as the instructions concerning the post are in Italian and I do not have a personal laptop internet connection!
The good news is I have more time here at the vineyard to actually write. I have started talking up Arkansas to Caterina so perhaps one day she can visit! We are communicating better and better each day!
Some differences I have observed and want to share...Pictures...I noticed as I have visited many homes of various Italians the absence of pictures. There is usually one or two of the family or a child, but as for pictures everywhere like in many homes in America of friends, vacations, and family; not here. I asked one Italian friend why she didn't have pictures of her friends and family in her room. Her response, "I see them all the time and do not need pictures". Very logical! Second...Caterina calls all of her aunts "Zia" and uncles "Zio". She does not use their names, but the Italian word. Is this an Italian tradition or just the Materossi way? Who knows, but it is interesting. Another difference...Last night I went to the square of Moniga expecting to see a celebrity. There was some confusion via the language barrier as Lusia had said the night before, "Miss Universe tomorrow night in the city". I was thinking, 'Wow, Miss Universe is coming here'. Instead it was a pagent of local teenage girls. The interesting part was at one point they came out wearing wedding gowns. I do not know what relation this had to pagents in general but the dresses were very elegant thus entertaining.
I remain curious as to certain ways of life for example, why most Italians do not have dryers for their clothes...but it must refer back to the original way of thinking: they are in no hurry. Perhaps there are other reasons, but to this ignorant visitor that is what I choose to believe. The lack of hurry, of going to and fro in a rush, the tradition of having friends over to eat dinner rather than eating out all the time, of spending time with extended family often, the pleasure of sitting around talking and laughing, sometimes arguing passionately, rather than seeing everything there is to see...it is nice. Of course I am with one family in one town in Italy but they must represent a larger part of the population. A slower, more enjoyable way of life. Closer to nature and to people. My two favorite things, thus maybe explaining my obession with this beautiful country.