Random Act of Kindness

Yesterday I brought Antonio up to the back of the church where there is this huge beautiful area where people can hang out, with a playground, a grass area, and a stage.  It was a beautiful sunny and breezy morning after three days of odd rain and wind.  We got up there and there was no one there but the people who clean and for a first time in a long time, I felt such peace and tranquility.  I let Antonio run around and explore and of course got in a photo session of him. =)

As we were leaving, one of the ladies who was sweeping asks what my baby's name is.  I say, "Antonio".  And she says, "My name is Carmela.  What's yours?".  And I respond, "Anna."  And she says, "Ohhhh, it's your Onomastico tomorrow, Auguri!"  Of course, all of this in Italian...tomorrow, or yet today, is Sant'Anna.  She comes over to me and shakes me hand. And I say, "Thank you and Buona Giornata".  Small talk like this amongst strangers is not uncommon here... but to me, it made my day.  It's tough being a foreigner and it's nice when people don't treat me as a foreigner.

Thank you Carmela!  Little did you know, the couple of seconds you took to talk to me made my day. =)

Here are some photos from Antonio's photo shoot for the day. =) 

My Love-Hate Relationship with Italian Summers

Summer has finally arrived here in Italy and oh has it arrived!  I mean we went from a rainy May to a funky June to a blazing hot July!  I really do dread summers here.  They are beyond humid and my LA blood is use to the heat but NOT the humidity.  I still remember the first time I experienced it.... It was the summer of 2004 and I came to visit my now husband and we were going to take a trip to Rimini.  As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was instantly STICKY!  I had never felt this way ever!  I was so confused and immediately asked, why am I so sticky?  LOL, call me ignorant?  Well that sensation soon became old... Fast forward to today, and I have learned to cope as well as I can to the summers here.  With air conditioning, more than one shower a day, not going out in the middle of the day, and Off! in my bag ALL the time.  Yes, another reason I loathe Italian summers... the mosquitoes love me.  After realizing they all flock to me and make me swollen with itchiness, I don't leave home without my bug spray.

But enough about being negative!  I love the summertime so much more than the wintertime that I have to focus on all the things I do look forward to.  First off, are ALL the fruits that are in season. Yummmmm.  Apricots, watermelon, plums, peaches, nectarines yummmmm.  Oh and the vegetables too!  Eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes, and green beans.  They manage to keep the vegetables in stock all year round at the markets but when they are in season, they truly have so much more flavor.  Second thing I love, mare and piscina!!!! No better way to beat the heat than to head to the coast or to the mountains and pool to cool off.  And last but not least, the Sagras!   Sagras are little festivals held in the evening in little towns where they feature a particular food that they specialize in or are known for in that area.  It's really fun and casual and really capture the Italian ambience.  There's music and dancing and everyone just having a good time relaxing and eating.  We try to go to one every weekend.  Last week we went to one that was for Gnocchi.

All in all, I am making the most of it and taking advantage of all the things I do enjoy about it!  And keeping the A/C on while doing it!  =)  Buon Estate Tutti!