The Italian Riviera in a Nut Shell

July 2-6

Pat, the boys, Anna and I headed for the seaside on Monday mid-morning. The drive only took about 2 hours so we arrived just in time for lunch. The town was deserted because it was time for “siesta” so we had a little café all to ourselves. I was really glad that Anna came along because it gave me another girl to talk to. However, the first night we went out to find people after the boys went to sleep and we hung out with about 15 teenage boys and girls. Did I really act like that? I sure hope not, because even though they were all talking really fast (and really loud) Italian I could still tell they were immature. This was the only time I was glad I had a curfew and watched the clock closely. Anna met a boy and I talked to a few people in English. I tried to speak Italian but when anyone found out that I was an American they wanted to practice their English. On Tuesday we spent the morning at the beach and had a simple lunch at our rented apartment. The apartment is so close to the beach you can see it from most of the windows. It has two bedrooms and a living room with a bed (my new room). I don’t mind sleeping here though cause it makes it feel more like vacation. After lunch Pat and Ruggie took a nap while we played several card games. I taught them both how to shuffle and do a bridge with the cards (I also taught them how to always deal to the left). After the mid-day snack (Miranda) we all went to the beach. Anna and I came back early and watched Grey’s Anatomy (her favorite show-it was in English). We prepared dinner at home and then went for gelato before bedtime. I opted not to hang out with the teenyboppers; instead I went to bed early (11). The next day (Happy 4th of July everybody!!) we hung out at the beach, ate at home for lunch, played cards and then around 7:30 went to a town close to where we are staying. We had a happy hour at an American Wine Bar (The only thing American about the bar was the music) while we waited for our table at another restaurant. We had another great meal (I know I haven’t had one bad meal here yet-seven weeks and counting). Thursday was a new experience for me. Pat, Anna, and Ruggie left for Torino around 8 am because Pat had to go to Rome for business. She left Filippo and me here. My first true test as a mom. Thursday morning we slept in and had breakfast and watched cartoons (why are all cartoons these days Anime?). We went to the beach for the morning and then had lunch at a café. We came home and did some homework (Italian kids have homework they have to do in the summer-for all ages) and played cards. At 5 we went back to the beach and stayed until almost 8. I finished my book (A Farewell to Arms) and I am never reading another Hemmingway book again, I was so depressed and angry about how it ended. We came home and I fixed a pasta dinner and then went out for a walk and gelato. I have to say I was worried about the day but we had a good time and he acted good (what a wonderful change from the Mountains).

Friday was also a good day. I changed my method of punishment (thanks to my genius mother’s advice). Instead of giving strikes and then getting in trouble, I give Filippo stars (stella). If he gets ten stars a day he will get rewarded. Thursday he didn’t make his quota but today he reached for the stars! So tomorrow he will get his reward-carmello (candy). He slept in today until 10 so we didn’t get to the beach until 11. We stayed until almost 1:30 and then headed to Lilo (our favorite restaurant) for pranzo. During the afternoon we played cards, did homework, and watched cartoons. At 5 we went back to the beach until 7:30. The Italian Riviera is not as pretty as the French but it is nice. The beach is clean, however both Rivieras have rocks instead of sand. This makes for easy clean up but really hurts the feet. The water is so clear and three different shades of blue. I love swimming in the sea because for some reason it seems more exotic to me than our oceans at home. I have never been so tan in my life and I hope it stays until I get home in August. After we left the beach I came home and prepared the meal while Fil took a shower. I was really proud of my cooking skills. I fixed spiral pasta with pomodoro sauce, a plate of proscutto crudo and colto (raw and cooked ham), cantaloupe, mozzarella, and grissini. Fil was in bed by 10 and he was a happy camper after making his goal of 10 stars. Like they say, “When Filippo is happy I’m happy” Tomorrow I am going to take a train back to Torino because the weekends are my time off and I need a little time away from the beach.

PS. the picture website is now up to date