Already over 2 weeks have passed since camp. We arrived back to Taranto from camp totally beat, but so thankful to have went. Sunday morning before service seemed like a welcome back party from all of the members. It was so nice to see all of their smiling faces. That afternoon we were scheduled to visit the Verardi's because it was the first Sunday of the month. That evening after returning to Taranto via the train, we headed over to Anna Maria's house for diner. This time, we had a surprise guest, her brother Bruno! Bruno had been living in Kenya for about 3 months, when in early May, he came down with a terrible illness and had to be med flighted back to the hospital in Taranto. He has recovered enough that he is now out of the hospital and now living with Anna Maira until September when he is planing to return back to Kenya.
It was very interesting talking to Bruno about life in Africa. We talked about religion, God, family, happiness...what was most interesting was the things Bruno was saying about the experiences he had had in Africa. Later on in the evening, we had to ask him what he view of faith was. Instead he began asking us about our religion. What were we called? all of the same questions that we are normally confronted with here in Italy. We had a really good discussion about simply trying to follow the life and example of Jesus- what he did while he was here on this earth. Which led to another discussion about the importance of reading the word so we ourselves can know how we ought to live. At one point in our conversation, he simply said,"but I was born Catholic." Isnt it interesting the way the world sees Christianity? Faith? Religion? Jesus? Are we following a religion or are we seeking and following Jesus the Christ?
Later that week was filled with classes, lunch again with Anna Maria, a night out with Pier Francesco and Mino, and three visits to three different beaches! In the summer time here in the south, going to the beach is the most popular thing to do! Thursday was our first visit. Eric and I went with Carmela, little Laura, and Carmela's aunt! The most beautiful beaches are right outside of Taranto on a strip about 20 minutes by car from our apartment. I dont take my camera when we go to the beach because Im paranoid that sand will ruin the camera..also I dont want to have to worry about watching it the whole time. All that to say-sorry no pictures this time.=( Just take my word for it that it was very beautiful, and we had a great time together. The beaches are different in many ways here, but one of the biggest differences is the water. It is crystal clear. One year, for my parents 25th wedding anniversary, we all went on a cruise together throughout the Bahamas. This is what the beaches look like. White sand and clear water. Another really big difference is the complete absence of waves! It was like a huge crystal swimming pool! haha.
The second trip was on Saturday. We took the train early that morning and met Mino at the train station in Latiano. From there, Mino's cousin Katia and her boyfriend Andrea picked us up to go a beach called St. Pietro -located halfway between Taranto and Leeche. We all packed a lunch and stayed from 11 that morning until we left around 6pm that evening to meet up with Fabrizio and Luca for pizza later that evening. What a great day. We had been wanting to get together with Katia and Andrea since we last saw them on Mother's day at the Verard's house. Our next scheduled date will be at our house for an American dinner- suggestions for what to serve are most welcomed! =)
The next day was Sunday. After church we headed to Enza and Franco's for a quick lunch and after headed to the beach with their two boys Pier Francesco and Andrea, along with Mino, Fabrizio, Luca, and their mom Adele. Again we stayed all day and enjoyed each others company as well as the ocean breeze=) We are especially content during this time to feel like we are making a stronger connection with the teens here. it has been a little slow in the making, but because we have been here for awhile now, we are finally evolving as friends and as a part of their family- and we are really enjoying this. What a wonderful blessing it is to see a little bit of fruit.
I cant remember which night it was, but one night, instead of our usual pizza outing, the brothers introduced us to a great sandwich place along the shore side. It was a little bit like subway-but italian style. You got to pick your meat-sausage, steak, ham, turkey...etc, toppinngs, and at the end they baked it in an outdoor brick oven. Yum.
Luca and Eric.
We left in the morning of Thursday the 21st and arrived in Rome a little after one in the afternoon.We were greeted by Rosanna, the mom of Joele. She picked us up and we were off to her house in the small countryside of Aprilia- a suburb of Rome. We were at first afraid that the surprise had be discovered, but when we saw the look on Joele's face, we knew he was surprised! That night was the night of Joele's birthday party- 40 some friends and family attended. Rosanna had prepared all sorts of sandwiches, bread, and other snacks, as well as filled up the pool in the back yard. It was awesome to basically get to see everyone from camp all over again!
Mino, Luca, and my husband =)
Gaya and Kristofer
Hello again! Campeggio reunion after one month?! yes!
This happened frequently throughout the evening...
Sweet girlies from camp=)
An Italian cake!- we have had some experiences with birthday cakes in Italy. One of which was soaked like a sponge in rum. Im really not sure how the candles didnt light the flame to a minor explosion that night! This to say, we are always a little cautious when presented with a cake here in Italy. Joele's cake was a tasty surprise- white cake layered with coconut and cream cheese .
The next morning we planned to head into Rome around 9am. We got to the train station and discovered that there was a strike on the buses, metro, and train (basically all transportation) that would last all day until 9 that night. Rosanna was sweet to drive all of us the 45min into Rome so we could spend the day there together.
Mino, me, Joele, and Eric
Giacomo, Joele, Eric, Viktor, Mino, and Luca
After walking along the main strip of Via dei Fori Romani, passing the Colosseum and the ROman Forum, we walked for a little while longer until we ironically found a Burger King, where we enjoyed an American lunch! Then walked through a huge park that turned out to be a segue to the top of the Spanish Steps.
Still just as beautiful as always.
Giacomo, Joele, and Mino
Im learning alot abut teenagers in these days, especially teenage boys since they are our main company here in Taranto. Here they are seeing who is the fairest of all! ;)
Later that night, we were able to take the train back to Aprilia, where Rosana picked us up and we enjoyed pasta Carbonara at her house together.
The next morning, Luca, Eric, and I got up early and left Aprilia around 7:30am.
After talking to Luca about our plans for the day, we found out that he had never seen Michelangelo's work in the Sistine chapel! Eric and I were fortunate to see it back in 2008 when I studied abroad in Italy, but having to see the ceiling again was certainly not a chore. Above notice the umbrella in Eric's right hand. It was so funny. Here we were standing in what seemed like a never ending line waiting to enter the Vatican Museum, when all of the sudden it begins to rain. Immediately all of these vendors come running out of the wood works-umbrella??umbrella?? umbrella??!! At this point, it was just sprinkling and so we thought, we'll tough it out, no need to have to buy an umbrella. Of course less than ten minutes later, it is pouring. However instead of hearing their feet slosh up and down the long line where we were standing, there was instead silence. No vendor to be found! We were laughing hysterically while in the mean time getting soaked. Finally we found one and bought the biggest umbrella offered, which inevitably broke as soon as we opened it. haha. We kept the umbrella as a souvenir.
Before the downpour.
Lots and lots of people.
It probably took us an hour and a half to walk through the Vatican Museum in total.
I think Luca was getting a little hungry at this point.
The works of Raphel- of course beautifully done.
After viewing the Sistine Chapel (absolutely magnificent), we still had to walk one last strech before we could find an exit, and along the way, I saw this sculpture. I was immediately taken with it, and felt a sense of peace while viewing it.
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."
Matthew 18:12-14
We explored for the rest of the afternoon, passed by some nuns,
ate some fantastic gelato,
visited several piazzas,
and stood in awe in front of the Roman Forum.
The next day was Sunday and we drive into town for service in Aprilia. I got to see and chat with two of my favorite girls from camp, Clarissa and Alessia =)
After church, we headed back to Rosanna's house for lunch and afterwards a little time to relax. At one point I came out of the house and found this going on! haha.
Later that evening, we made plans to meet up with Rosa and Roberto Negri in town.
The center square of Aprilia.
Rosa and her daughter, Cristina, who was just baptized two weeks ago at camp.
We were all in the town square talking and Rosa found out that I was an artist. She got really excited and told me that she had just started taking watercolor classes there in Aprilia! Next thing I knew, she invited all of us up to their apartment to see her work! It was very fun to be able to share our interest in art and painting together.
Cristina, me, Rosa, Grazia, Rosanna, and Viktor's mom
me and Gaya
The next stop...gelato! I have to say, this was some of the best gelato I have ever eaten. I got green apple (the first time I have seen this flavor) and Frutti di bosco (mixed berries). yum.
Eric and Viktor
Eric, me and Luca
Its already been a week since our trip to Aprilia and already we have many new things to share! However, I will wait to the next post to fill you in! Hope you are all enjoying the summer and time with your families =)
No comments:
Post a Comment