Ciao...Time is flying. I am on the downhill slope of this experience and have mixed emotions about this fact. This weekend I stayed with the family and was very thankful to join Cesare on another hike. This time to the summit of Mt. Pizzoccolo which provided a view from 1582 meters-in feet I think around 4, 500- we were so high the lake and the towns were just specks. You could see the Alps to the North and I waved to America upon realizing which was way West. This hike took 2 hours to the summit because we began by car about 1,500 feet up, this was the scary part as the road was one way and curvy. Cesares friend would honk upon these curves but I still closed my eyes at some points. There were wild raspberries toward the top that were sweet and sour at the same time. We picked a bowlfull on the way down for Caterina and ate these with gelato that evening. Very nice! Sat. friends of the Materossis came by and swam with us in the pool. Then we all went out for pizza. I enjoyed spending more time with Luisa and Cesare as they are gone during most of the week days, and I the weekends. I am starting to feel more comfortable with them and the extended family. To the point where a couple funny things have happened...I will not mention these right now but you can imagine perhaps...jokes, and daily life occurances you only know when you live with someone. Anyway Caterina and I continue to form a stronger bond. She loves the song, Jesus Loves the Little Children and sings it daily. I have focused a lot on songs in teaching, as they are easier to remember. Last night I cooked for the family for the first time. I was nervous. I went with homemade Salsa to begin with, them Southwest Omelettes, then Nachos with chicken, peppers, olives, cheese, tomato, onion, and so on. I even made cold tea which they do not drink here. Cold tea is very expensive in the resturants so I am assuming it is not popular among the Italians. Hot tea is a common drink for breakfast but other than this time I do not see it. I miss cold tea!
Tomorrow I will go to Venice for my two Italian friends graduation and after party. Tiziana and Flaminia are graduating with an architecture degree from the well-known university in Venice. I am very excited. Love and miss you, Natalie