BangEngLiano

Hi all! So Christmas was fabulous here in Bagnoli. I ate way to much food on insistance of Aniellos mother. After having a relaxing day and digesting a lot that night Aniello and I went to Montella (a nearby town) to meet up with his friends that we have been hanging out with and a few others. We drank Braccieto (I have no idea how it is really spelled) and ate crepes with Nutella of course (Jackie and Marie I thought of you! Turns out one of my cousins works for Nutella!). We did not eat anything for dinner due to the fact that it was impossible after our so called lunch to consume another meal! We just drank a couple glasses of the sweet wine and ate a couple crepes. Aniellos friends speak some english so the translation was a bit easier and they are so fun. I feel like I am a friend of theirs rather than just Aniellos cousin. One of his friends even invited me to stay with her at her house next time I come to the area since she lives alone, meaning I can eat whatever and however much I want! I think a week in Bagnoli= +10 pounds.

Yesterday Aniello took me to the top of the mountian, Laceno, since it was a beautiful day out. It had snowed the night before (unfortunately for me I did not get my white Christmas that I was hoping for) at the top of the mountian so the view was beautiful! After we ate a very large lunch, have you gotten the theme of eating yet? After lunch we went over to Aniellos cousins house, Lucia, so I could finally meet her daughter Vania who looks just like my sister and myself put together! I have heard so much about her ever since I came to Bangoli two years ago. She speaks great English, and so does her husband and brother which made it easier for me to communicate. We had a great visit and they decided to come to dinner with us and their aunt. I went with Aniello, his sister and his mother to Avellino for his mothers doctor apointment. Aniello showed me the main street of the town while we waited.

That night we went to Lioni for dinner with Vania, her husband, Nello her brother, Rosaria her aunt and Rosarias boyfriend, Aniello and myself. Most of the party knew english so it was a great dinner and even when they went off on their Italian discussion of Politics I still had a great time. It has been amazing how much I feel like family. Everyone is just so amazing, nice and welcoming. Sometime I feel overwhelmed with how great they are and patient they are when I try to speak Italian.

Today Aniello and myself went to the Bagnoli market. Aniello never goes but like usual since I am here he has taken me everywhere even if he does not like the activity or place. That I am much appreciative for. Domenica, Aniellos youngest niece, was over that morning and since she seems to have become very attached to me she wanted to go with us to the market. She is so adorable and such an actress at 3. She just lights up when I come in the room and held my hand all the way through the market. She likes to immatate me and sit like I do.

The rest of the day has been devoted to my salutes to the family. After Aniello and I toured Bagnoli, which by the way everyone seems to think that I am his girlfriend! we returned to his house and he taught me how to make Carbonara! I cannot wait to go cook it for my mom and friends! We of course ate much more for lunch! Aniellos mom insisted on giving me a small moka which is the machine they use to make coffee and some coffee so when I return to the states I can make Italian coffee! After lunch we spent a lot of time at Vanias house showing them pictures of my family in America and talking. I am very excited because we have decided to keep in close contact, Nello as well, and we are going to make a picture form family tree of both the Italian and the America sides. It will be a fun project and that means I get to go digging through my grandmas house for more pictures. I am so so so glad that Vania and Nello were in Bagnoli for Christmas. They are just amazing and I have very much wanted to meet them.

After leaving Vanias house we went to Rosarias house to say goodbye and to show her and her mother, who is cousins with my grandpa, my family pictures. We drank more coffee and tea and ate more cookies, maybe I will come back with more than just an added ten pounds, and talked. Rosaria got me talking in Italian since she only knows Italian and was so great because she would talk slower to me so I could understand. She gave me a book that she wrote a while back, I think when she was still in elementary school, so I can practice reading in Italian and also learn more about her part of the family. The story I believe is about her father and searching for truffles.

After exercising my ability to understand and listen to Bagnolese and Italian we have returned to Aniellos house where I am now. Soon we are to meet up with Aniellos friends so we can say goodbye and after dinner Aniello is going to take me to the church my grandfather remembered and I am going to spread some of his ashes here so he can be home.

It has been amazing being here in Bagnoli. Everyone asks when I will be returning and when I will be bringing the rest of my family. The next trip here must be in the summer since everyone says so. I will continue to practice my Italian. Aniello and I have created our own sort of language that is a mix between Bagnolese, English and Italian. I leave tomorrow evening for Cambodia. Wish me luck on my 18 hours of travel!

Ciao!