May 27-29, 2016
When I go to Italy, the first thing I usually think of is the food. That's closely followed by ice cream (it's a separate category from food, of course), then the history. Then wine, then the beautiful landscape, then the funny way that people talk with their hands. Then fashion, then stray dogs and cats, then leather, art, boys names that sound like girls names, and the Catholic Church. Then after several more obscure things, I sometimes think of one famous Italian inventor. I'm pretty sure the only reason I remember him from elementary school is because his name is so fun to say: Googley Elmo Macaroni. Or something like that. I only mention it now because every time I see BJ, we act like we're 10 years old, recycling the same jokes we've laughed about for the past 20 years. Someone just has to say "Guglielmo Marconi" and we bust up laughing. And our trip to Rome in May was no different. Side note: May? I went to Rome in May and am only writing about it in December? This blog is pathetic. My only defense is that I've written about Rome before, and I usually don't write about a location more than once. But this time was different. Zosia and I went to meet BJ, Quyen, and their little fashionista Lucca...who, by the way, is an Asian-American girl, not an Italian boy.
Zosia wanted to visit Rome before her old employers, Daniela and Mauro, moved from Rome to Cuba for Mauro's job. Zosia was the nanny for their three boys when they lived in Warsaw a few years ago, but it had been a while since they had seen each other. Since BJ and QP were traveling in Europe with their 1-year old in tow, we thought it was the perfect location to meet up.
Before BJ arrived from Paris, Z and I were able to spend an evening with Daniela and Mauro, for what I like to think of as an authentic night out with Italians. Since they were leaving Italy the following week, we effectively crashed their going away party. Both sets of parents and other family and friends gathered for dinner at a (surprise, surprise) Italian restaurant outside of the city. It was very satisfying knowing that Italian families go to this particular restaurant. It would be like knowing that American families go to TGI Fridays or that Chinese families go to Panda Express....oh wait, no, that's the opposite of what I'm trying to say. Anyway, it was even more satisfying that several of the pizzas on the menu came without cheese. NO CHEESE! SEE!? I'm not weird. Cheeseless pizza IS a thing. So to all of you waiters and waitresses who looked at me weird or said that cheeseless pizza is "not pizza" or that it's "not possible" to make (which I still don't understand...just don't put on the cheese), I will be accepting your apologies (or free pizzas).
It was really fun to meet a real live loud Italian family...complete with very few English speakers, a grandpa who carried around a cigar with him, and enough joy and energy to power a small city. It was so heartwarming to see how much they loved Zosia, and how excited she was to see Alessio, the youngest of the three boys. Zosia got to know most of the family over the years, even those who lived in Rome. The reunion was just like watching someone reconnect with their family. It was easy to forget that they're Italian and she's Polish, from the way she rattled off Italian as if it was her native tongue. Apparently there is much more to speaking Italian than just waving your hands around the air.
After a nice dinner and lots of hugs, we went to meet BJ and QP, who had arrived late that night. When we found the restaurant at which they were eating, we could already see how much attention Lucca was attracting. She is so well behaved, happy, social, dance-y, and pinch-her-cheeks cute, that strangers can't help but say hi, talk to her in a high-pitched voice, then stare for several minutes. She is already an international celebrity and she can't even pee in a toilet (though maybe she actually can do that).
The five of us spent the next couple days walking around the city, looking at the main stuff, but not going in any buildings unless they served ice cream (since Lucca doesn't waste her time with museums). This was actually perfect for me, since I've been inside most of the main sites and didn't need to do it again. It was a weekend filled of wandering, eating, taking pictures and enjoying the company.
I have to say that I'm a bit jealous of Lucca's photos. She has much cooler pictures that I do, and she can't even speak full sentences (which I can do, by the way). But I'm not mad, I'm happy that I can say I know her. She even held my hand once, which is my claim to fame. And by the way, by the time I finish this blog, she will probably be able to do everything, including her own taxes.
On our last night, we were able to meet with an old friend, Angelo, whom I met in San Jose. He brought his son and his mother (his son's mother, not his own mother), and we went out for pizza and a stroll around. I remember when I first met Angelo, he said that he was assigned to the project in California because he spoke the best English in his (Rome) office. And it took him 3 times to say that sentence until I understood him. He's a great guy and his kid was adorable...I think his son fell in love with both Quyen and Lucca at the same time. Those Italian boys don't mess around....breaking hearts without any concern for age, language barrier, or the fact that they are a mother and daughter.
We headed back to Warsaw after about 10 cheeseless pizzas, 50 lactaid-pill-assisted gelatos (that's probably not the right way to pluralize it but oh well), dozens of miles of walking, and countless laughs and smiles with good friends. It was my 6th time in Italy and I think it's now a scientific fact that it's impossible not to have an amazing time in this beautiful country. So anytime you want to go again, I'm ready.
When I go to Italy, the first thing I usually think of is the food. That's closely followed by ice cream (it's a separate category from food, of course), then the history. Then wine, then the beautiful landscape, then the funny way that people talk with their hands. Then fashion, then stray dogs and cats, then leather, art, boys names that sound like girls names, and the Catholic Church. Then after several more obscure things, I sometimes think of one famous Italian inventor. I'm pretty sure the only reason I remember him from elementary school is because his name is so fun to say: Googley Elmo Macaroni. Or something like that. I only mention it now because every time I see BJ, we act like we're 10 years old, recycling the same jokes we've laughed about for the past 20 years. Someone just has to say "Guglielmo Marconi" and we bust up laughing. And our trip to Rome in May was no different. Side note: May? I went to Rome in May and am only writing about it in December? This blog is pathetic. My only defense is that I've written about Rome before, and I usually don't write about a location more than once. But this time was different. Zosia and I went to meet BJ, Quyen, and their little fashionista Lucca...who, by the way, is an Asian-American girl, not an Italian boy.
Zosia wanted to visit Rome before her old employers, Daniela and Mauro, moved from Rome to Cuba for Mauro's job. Zosia was the nanny for their three boys when they lived in Warsaw a few years ago, but it had been a while since they had seen each other. Since BJ and QP were traveling in Europe with their 1-year old in tow, we thought it was the perfect location to meet up.
Before BJ arrived from Paris, Z and I were able to spend an evening with Daniela and Mauro, for what I like to think of as an authentic night out with Italians. Since they were leaving Italy the following week, we effectively crashed their going away party. Both sets of parents and other family and friends gathered for dinner at a (surprise, surprise) Italian restaurant outside of the city. It was very satisfying knowing that Italian families go to this particular restaurant. It would be like knowing that American families go to TGI Fridays or that Chinese families go to Panda Express....oh wait, no, that's the opposite of what I'm trying to say. Anyway, it was even more satisfying that several of the pizzas on the menu came without cheese. NO CHEESE! SEE!? I'm not weird. Cheeseless pizza IS a thing. So to all of you waiters and waitresses who looked at me weird or said that cheeseless pizza is "not pizza" or that it's "not possible" to make (which I still don't understand...just don't put on the cheese), I will be accepting your apologies (or free pizzas).
It was really fun to meet a real live loud Italian family...complete with very few English speakers, a grandpa who carried around a cigar with him, and enough joy and energy to power a small city. It was so heartwarming to see how much they loved Zosia, and how excited she was to see Alessio, the youngest of the three boys. Zosia got to know most of the family over the years, even those who lived in Rome. The reunion was just like watching someone reconnect with their family. It was easy to forget that they're Italian and she's Polish, from the way she rattled off Italian as if it was her native tongue. Apparently there is much more to speaking Italian than just waving your hands around the air.
Dinner time!
The family
After a nice dinner and lots of hugs, we went to meet BJ and QP, who had arrived late that night. When we found the restaurant at which they were eating, we could already see how much attention Lucca was attracting. She is so well behaved, happy, social, dance-y, and pinch-her-cheeks cute, that strangers can't help but say hi, talk to her in a high-pitched voice, then stare for several minutes. She is already an international celebrity and she can't even pee in a toilet (though maybe she actually can do that).
Lucca selfie
The five of us spent the next couple days walking around the city, looking at the main stuff, but not going in any buildings unless they served ice cream (since Lucca doesn't waste her time with museums). This was actually perfect for me, since I've been inside most of the main sites and didn't need to do it again. It was a weekend filled of wandering, eating, taking pictures and enjoying the company.
Lucca has her own slave to carry her around
Taking care of some business before heading out
Yep, these strangers are staring at Lucca
BJ and QP introduced Zosia to Butterfingers (2 bags' worth)
I have to say that I'm a bit jealous of Lucca's photos. She has much cooler pictures that I do, and she can't even speak full sentences (which I can do, by the way). But I'm not mad, I'm happy that I can say I know her. She even held my hand once, which is my claim to fame. And by the way, by the time I finish this blog, she will probably be able to do everything, including her own taxes.
This is my picture in front of the Colosseum
This is Lucca's picture in front of the Colosseum (I can't compete with this)
On our last night, we were able to meet with an old friend, Angelo, whom I met in San Jose. He brought his son and his mother (his son's mother, not his own mother), and we went out for pizza and a stroll around. I remember when I first met Angelo, he said that he was assigned to the project in California because he spoke the best English in his (Rome) office. And it took him 3 times to say that sentence until I understood him. He's a great guy and his kid was adorable...I think his son fell in love with both Quyen and Lucca at the same time. Those Italian boys don't mess around....breaking hearts without any concern for age, language barrier, or the fact that they are a mother and daughter.
With Angelo and pizzas
Ladies man
We headed back to Warsaw after about 10 cheeseless pizzas, 50 lactaid-pill-assisted gelatos (that's probably not the right way to pluralize it but oh well), dozens of miles of walking, and countless laughs and smiles with good friends. It was my 6th time in Italy and I think it's now a scientific fact that it's impossible not to have an amazing time in this beautiful country. So anytime you want to go again, I'm ready.
