CIAO!
As of today I have one month left in Italy as I fly out with my mother Sept 9th. This summer has flown by in ways and in others it seems like forever since I have been home.
This past weekend was very relaxing with friends and family by the pool. Through one of the cousins friends, I met a Chinese American who just married an Italian man this June at Lago di Garda. To speak with an American was very enjoyable! Her name is Candy, and she hopes she and her husband can move to China or another European country soon.
On Monday I rode a train to Padova. Flaminia and her friend (American nickname) Mikey took me to the mare or beach south of Venice. We had a picnic on the pier then soak up the sun for a few hours. The beach was nice but different because it is the sea. The waves are small, there are never hurricanes, and very, very seldom sharks. I did not swim because the water was very cold and a little dirty. Flaminia said when her mother came to the sea when she was young, it was clean. Now because of increased tourism, vacationers, and oil spills, the water is not very nice. I met her 94 year old great grandmother as well as she lives in this area. I wanted to ask what her secret was. She lives alone and gets along very well. Maybe it is the combination of vino and olive oil!
Monday evening we went to Venezia to have dinner. Flaminia chose a "typical" Venice pizza joint...on the walls were paintings of the Cardinals, Sonics, Giants, and other American teams. I felt at home in this place minus the food because it is much better to have Italian pizza with wine!
Venezia at night is very beautiful. In the square of San Marco, not only was there a full moon beaming down on us, but sometimes the city streets flood and on this night there was standing water which provided an intriguing view. This water reflects the church, palace, clocktower, and other bulidings. The colums were constructed to appear taller in the reflected image. I cannot describe this phenomenon however only tell you it was amazing, almost prettier in the water than in real life.
We leave Friday afternoon for a drive across Italy, Slovenia, and finally to the port of Croatia to board our sailboat. Two of Cesare's friends will join us for the first week. The second week I will look for the internet, possibly in the hotel but I am not sure. Pray for me as I am a little nervous about sailing in the sea (but mostly excited).
Tomorrow night there are supposed to be "falling stars" in the night's sky...my last night at the vineyard. Natalie