Ciao!
It is a good time to be in Italy! Last night the soccer team won the World Cup Championship. Needless to say, there was much vino, champagne, and screaming. Apparently here in Italy, getting a championship t-shirt is not as popular as in American where we have a shirt for everything. I must settle for knowing I was here!
Sunday I climbed a mountain over 3, 300 feet. The view was amazing with the lake and the town below. Cesare invited me to join he and some friends for a climb to the top of one of the primi Alps, as they are training for an even higher climb. I bought my first pair of hiking boots, and nervously got ready at 5:30 Sunday morning for the adventure. By 7 am we were hiking up the steep terrain, about 3 hours later we arrived. I learned from Cesare that there is a rhythm to hiking which you must match with your breathing and steps so you do not grow too tired. I found mine after feeling the pulse of the mountain, and matching it. Before our decent, we drank vino and ate pane (bread) and by 11:30 we were back were we started! I was very sore the rest of the day, but I was very happy for this opportunity.
We are now living at the vineyard, a very relaxed atmosphere. The only aspect that has required adjustment on my part is living with many Italians in one place. Also I share a room with Caterina and a bathroom with her father and mother. The vineyard home if huge but because there are about 10 others in and out (mostly on the weekends) we share our living quarters and privacy is limited. I cannot complain however...I hope it does not sound that way! Caterina and I spend a lot of time in the pool. Also we walk down to the lake to throw rocks and just explore.
The food continues to amaze me. As does the hospitality of the Italians. This coming weekend I may visit Verona for a night, the scene of Romeo and Juliet. Maybe I will meet my Romeo, but if so, hopefully it will end on better terms.
The language continues to come very slowly for me. Caterina and I are communicating better as she is learning faster than I can imagine. There is an internet point about 7 minutes from their vineyard so hopefully I can write more often and include pics from the vineyard.
Love you all, Natalie