Aaaaah (good sigh)

I could keep today in a tiny Italian leather box...not that Italians all have tiny leather boxes, but this particular box holds a memory with a Mediterranean simplicity that I want to cherish. Well, first I had class and we learned "verbi condizionale." I missed yesterday because I was sick so I caught up somewhat. Afterward I went with Sus and Marie (girls from ACM) to a pizza place in a piazza that I pass on the way to school. I've eaten there twice before--it has good prices and the waiter and cook are very nice. It's local which I like too! Are lunch was eaten at a leisurely pace.

And it was good! Mmmmmm simple spaghetti alla carattiera. Tomato, garlic, pepper. Delicious! After lunch Sus and I shopped. She got a leather jacket (the guy at the market started at 350 and went down to 125!) Then she found some boots--we walked everywhere, practically every shoe store because we wanted to know what our options were). I found someting directly in front of her boot store: black leather ankle boots, simple and chic with a wide (but sleek) heel. I love them. I was dancing in them in the street! They're "lavorazione artigiana" which means artisan--hand made! They were a little tight so the shop owner fixed them for me. No additional price. I got them for 59 euro! I'm satisfied.

Then Sus went home and I went to Piazza Santa Croce where there was A CHOCOLATE FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mmmmmm yup, bought me (and my family) some chocolate. It was mm-mm good too--they love "al fondente" here, which is DARK. I bought 90% dark the other day at the supermarket but I can't eat it because it's too bitter.

Dinner tonight was simple too but in a lovely arduous way. Elisabetta made me homemade minestrone soup with vegetables because I'm sick. And we has cooked spinach and cheese and french fries (they love potatoes here too!) We also ate something like a croqueta.

What I enjoyed most though, was, that after discussing femminism and the differences with the United States and Italia and the similarities between Puerto Rico and Italia--which we usually discuss after dinner while watching tv--we watched the Devil Wears Prada IN ITALIAN: Il Diavolo Veste Prada! It was great because I knw the film well enough to understand. And Chiara, my host sister, invited me to watch Benjamin Button in Italian at the theatre with her! I'm excited even though I may not understand it. I'll watch. I felt part of the family.

And I watched too. Usually, during dinner I've noticed, Piero usually cooks and Elisabetta or Chiara will pick up the dishes from the table (so will I). Today, since Elisabetta cooked I saw Piero get the dishes. And it just flowed--it wasn't forced or discussed. Everybody takes part during dinnertime. They function like a team, taking turns to lead and serve. Dinner is very important here. Chiara's 22 and she usually only misses 2-3 dinners a week.

And I realized, I don't really do that with my family back home. It's not natural to us because it's not habit, but also because I'm young and want to be with friends. But that dynamic, that special meeting place at the table is something I admire and want to take with me in my little leather box. To my family, current and future. It's so refreshing. It's not convenient--table cloths are used and silverware and nice plates. But it's habit so it just fits and flows. Simple.