
Hannahs:
So here we are Italy....Reggio Emmilia was a BLAST(we actually stayed in Villalunga). We started out meeting Jonathan for the first time and automatically fitting in with his family. His mother is Sicilian and one of the best chefs!! Everyday we had authentic Italian cooking, 3 courses for each meal and we were fed before we were even hungry. This women spent all of her day in the kitchen she loves taking care of her family whether she is cooking, cleaning, or doind laundry. She is always singing or whistling throughout her day. Everyone here refers to her as "Big Mama" As far as Jonathan hes very spoiled and knows it!! Every night we met a different crowd of young ones, went to dinner where everyone was excited for us to try a new type of authentic Italian style food. Even tho we didnt expect anyone to know english they still included us, and those who knew a littler came out of their shell and made us feel at home. Anytime there was a joke going the two translators, Ivano or Jonathan, would translate and then the whole table would be laughing all over again.
A Few things we learned here was Parmesan Cheese originated here. A product of the towns Regio and Parme....the name here is "Parmegiano-Regiano"...(I hope I spelled it right) Another interesting story is about a type of Vino we tried here, which is refered to as red beer. The Celts had come to Italy and in an effort to make beer and failing they began to experiment with the vines, creating a sparkling red wine (champagne as we know it) which they called a red wine. (I hope I remembered the story right Ivano!)
In meeting some great people here we also made some great friends!!! Mary, Manuela, Padidre, Esther, Vincenzo, Mary-Louisa, Ivano, and Jonathan and Family.....Thank you all so much for everything, (yes even you Platen...you crazy Albanian, well never forget you!) your hospitality and love will never be forgotten. Ivano...just let us know when you would like to visit Montana and we will set it up!
Now we are in Sarzana, Italy. "The countryside of Italy" the mountains here are mined for their marble....so when they look as tho they have snow on them, its really not. (Something I have never before seen) Here we are staying with Taylor and the family he is staying with. I will write more when I have some more crazy stories for you!