First day in Italy-July 14^th 2012

Our day started off a lot earlier than planned.  We had just arrived to Italy two days prior with this being our second night here. You see, we went to bed at 9p.m. the night before, exhausted from traveling, but  awoke to a baby needing comforting.  As I was caring for that special little one, I see another one use the bathroom, then another, then another.  Yes, all were awake now. It was 12a.m. and nobody seemed to be tired, our bodies thought it was daytime.  I told them to go back to bed hoping the sleepiness wouldn’t wear off, knowing we had a long day very early that morning.( It was our first day in the Italian community.)   They obediently went to bed with a little sparkle in their eye and before you knew it, I heard little squeals of quiet laughter coming from the girl’s room.  I headed straight for their room ready to admonish them trying to catch the laughter before it got out of hand.  As I opened the door, my thoughts slowed down and I was reminded to use this time wisely.  Treat it special.  Give them grace.  When I peered in at the two precious little non- sleepy eyed girls, all I saw was excitement.  Excitement about being in a new country and ready to go explore and see what God has to offer them in this new place.  I didn’t like all the excitement at 12a.m. knowing we had to wake up in 7 hours, but thought I better use this time to make precious memories with them rather than waste it in harshness and lack of understanding. I brought them out to the living area where we all laid in the boys bed, snuggled under the covers and talked about our hopes and dreams in this new country.  I won’t forget that moment; in a new country, all snuggled with the most precious people in my life, sharing our moments together, just as a family should.  It made me realize how often I lose those special moments.  I get wrapped up in the busyness of life and the goals I place on myself and my children and forget about the little joy’s God places along my path to enjoy and relish in.  I put that in the back of my memories so that I wouldn’t forget the lesson I learned once we were back in routine.  I promised myself and prayed for God’s grace to help me grab moments like these and use them wisely in making our home a place to feel loved, cherished and make sweet memories in.  As we were talking, the man of my dreams comes out, not able to sleep as well.  He joins the rest of the memory making crew.  I finally get to the point where I can no longer keep my eyes open so I head to bed.  The family was up until about 3a.m.  Once back in bed we slept peacefully, until forced out of bed the next morning by 7. 

We dragged ourselves out of bed trying to get excited about going into the towns of Italy, but the lack of sleep was wearing on us all.  I started wondering if we made a mistake in taking the tour so soon after arriving to the country, knowing that most people took this tour after they were here almost a week.  We couldn’t back out now, so I prayed for strength and patience for all of us.  As we stepped out the door, I instantly realize our tank tops, flip flops, and dresses were not the thing to be wearing.  It’s cold and drizzling rain. I regretted not looking at the weather channel and tried to encourage the children to be tough, it will all be worth it.  We all went shivering, dodging raindrops on the way and running to the bus.  We were a bit behind schedule.  Once we got to the bus area, I looked around and saw we passed by two Italians talking nearby.  I felt a bit uncomfortable and insecure just knowing they were true Italians.  I don’t know why the uneasiness. I guess just the vulnerable feeling that goes along with entering a new setting.  We asked if this was the Benvenuti tour bus.  They nodded and we entered.   We all sat together excited but still shivering and out of breath from the run to the bus.  Our tour guide was amazing.  She was Italian and spoke very good English.  She made us all feel comfortable and at ease.  Her and her co-worker enjoyed the children as well, and I think all of us gave a deep sigh of relief knowing this would be a fun trip after all.

 We went to many different towns.  The rain put a bit of a damper on the tour because we didn’t get to stop and walk in all areas that had been planned, but the experience of just driving and getting to know the area was well worth it-even if we weren’t able to stop and walk around. 

This is a two lane road.

Spring of Gorgazzo at the base of the Alps.

The bus was so big compared to the roads that it was as if we could reach out the window and touch the walls of the passing buildings while driving down the road.  It all looked like the movies.  Tall structured buildings, houses and stores built right next to each other, walls against walls, with cobblestone walkways and little alleyways in between.  We passed by the most amazing sight of clear sparkling water, a little spring coming out of the Alps. It was called the Spring of Gorgazzo.  It was an underground spring, coming directly out of the foot of the Alps, scuba divers would dive deep into it, about 600 ft.  There were only 3 springs like this in Europe.  They all meet up into one river that ends up in Venice.  This was an amazing view, but something we had to view out the bus window because of the rain.  I put a check in my notebook making sure that would be a stop we would make as a family later on in the week. Our next adventure was to learn how to buy a train ticket.  Ike was very studious with this experience and took care of everything.  I still have no idea how to do this, but know that my trusted better half will teach me when I need to know.  The trains were quick to open the doors and just as quick to close them.  The Tour guide reassured us that the Trains would not leave us if it took us awhile to get our "pink" stroller through the door even if the doors closed before we could enter.  We were relieved to have accomplished that small goal and relaxed in the seat of the train as it took off quickly to our next destination.

The rain had stopped as we departed the train, so we enjoyed walking through the town of Pordenone. I felt enlivened as I walked down the streets.  We saw cute little old ladies in dresses riding there bicycles ,ringing their bell as they warned us they were passing and heard the accordion playing music in the background.  We even passed a new instrument I haven’t seen before.  It was a hand held instrument, about a foot long where he would blow air through a tube while pressing down piano looking keys to play the different tunes. I’m sure it’s a common instrument, just something I haven’t seen.  I’m looking forward into finding more information out about it.  As we entered the center of the city, the tour guide told us most cities in Italy will have a church directly in the middle of the city.  That's where we were headed.  We went into a Catholic church called, The Saint Mark Cathedral, built in the XIIIth century.  It was small, but very elaborate.  Beautiful paintings! To our non-educated eyes, we couldn’t understand the meaning of some of the paintings, but nonetheless they were detailed and amazing.  Gold plated structures, statues and columns engraved with different types of patterns on them, there were engraved archways with paintings on the ceiling and around the walls, and gold plated chandeliers. They were in the middle of reconstructing and preserving some of the art work in this church because of an earthquake in1811, but still an amazing part of history. After we left the church, we went to a chocolate factory where we saw the most amazing pieces of chocolate, which I call edible art.  Italians can even make art out of chocolate, quite spectacular if you ask me.  
 The weather was starting to look better and wasn’t as miserable to walk in, but our tired eyes were getting heavy and hungry tummy’s were making our walk a little slower with each step. We finally heard the word lunchtime and were excited to try our first real Italian food.  We had the choice between chicken or fish.  I had chicken while Ike had fish and the children had pasta and chicken nuggets.  Yes, they do have chicken nuggets in Italy. They even have a McDonald’s-not something I’m looking forward to trying at this point. Maybe one day I will be grateful for it, but not yet. Our food arrives in different courses.  Our first course was pasta noodles with tomato sauce and a type of creamy rice with vegetables in and, of course, white and red wine to go with the meal.  It seemed like the Italians like to take their time while eating. They had a little play area set up for children whom might need a little break from sitting.  Isaac made good use of that little area.  The others would have joined if their mommy would have let them, but it really was for little guys not older ones.  After we had our first course we waited around a bit and talked before the meat course came out.  We then talked some more before the dessert came out.  Tiramasu, doughnut covered in cream and a lime sherbet ice cream served just to adults. ( We didn’t know it had alcohol in it and let the children try it)  It didn’t taste like it had alcohol.  It was delicious!  The whole eating process took about 1 ½ hours.  It was all amazing food and some place we would like to go back and experience when the babies weren’t so tired.  Towards the end, little ones were all melting and parents were glad to get into the comforts of a moving vehicle heading for a new destination in hope that the children would sleep on the way. 
 Our last destination would be a winery.  It was quite a ways out into the country and as I looked around the bus I saw mostly men sleeping, with a few babies scattered abroad joining the land of dreams.  The minute the bus stopped, the stir was welcomed and the excited tourists fumbled their way down the stairs to listen to the next guide and try some delicious wine.   We tried many types of wines.  My favorite was a red bubbly wine with a sweet taste.  I had never been wine testing before, so I watched curiously to the etiquette of wine testing.  The swishing of the glass, smelling of the wine, dumping of the old wine, and eating of the bread all took to me well and I enjoyed testing it out. On the way back to the base, we stopped by a little shopping area.  Our family decided to buy some water.  Oh, how we were thirsty.  Ike grabs a big jug of water, pays for it, opens it up and I take a big guzzle.  It just about came back up.  It was “frizzante” water (water with carbonation)- something I think tastes like aspirin water.  Yuck!  I couldn't drink that water and head back into get some real water.  The cashier was watching us just laughing at our expressions, but gladly helped me find “naturale” water.  I realize when I go to pay, that this is the first time I’ve set eyes on a Euro.  Ike just gave me a handful of change when I asked for the money to get a new bottle.  I had no idea what I was looking at. I gave the cashier a weak smile and put my hand out as if saying I have no clue what I’m doing just take what you need. I felt like a child again buying something for the first time with my own money and not knowing the value of each coin. She sympathized with me and took, what I suspect, was the correct amount. We had our laughs, said our farewells, and went back to the base. What an adventure with many more to come. J

Another picture from the church

This was one of those paintings where the eyes followed you.  Yes, it was a bit creepy.

Isaac crashed with Ike not far behind- on the bus