Reba Lives: SHE LIVES!!!

Hello from Conegliano Italy!! What a glorious feeling to be back in this country again, only this time it's very different. Instead of a whirlwind frolic in major cities for only a couple of rushed nights a piece, I'll be staying with the sweet and lovely Antiga family for seven weeks to see how an Italian family actually lives day to day; as I sit at the breakfast table this morning writing, sipping coffee and munching on a biscotti and sliced peach, I can tell that I'm going to really enjoy my stay.

The Antiga family generously flew me from my home turf to the Venice airport yesterday and were waiting for me when I arrived. I was nervous that I wouldn't recognize them at first! I haven't seen them since we met over the Christmas Holidays on that gloriously fateful day at the original Mama Ninfas in Houston to iron out the details of my "visit." They were easy to remember, however, and now here I sit! I had the usual jet lag issue yesterday of trying to stay awake, there is a seven hour time difference here (we're ahead). The kids kept my busy though! Laura (11) and Andrea (9) are beautifully Italian kids with plenty of spirit and charm. I am here to speak English to them every day. It's an added bonus that they, in turn, will be speaking Italian to me! They're very shy about their English skills, although I can't understand why as they know far more English than I know Italian; my job is to boost their already apparent skills and give them the confidence to use their English well.

Our biggest project yesterday started with a game. We went around the house Post-It noting everything in sight; the notes contained the English word and the Italian word for the item in question. Then, Gianluca (Papa) painted us a chalkboard next to the kitchen so that we could write our translations down!! Very cool.

However, the best part about my days in Italy always boils down to the food. The Antiga family did not dissapoint. We had a deliciously fresh orzo salad for lunch with sliced tomatoes and tuna along with homemade (yes, I said homemade) cheese, and at dinner we feasted on grilled vegetables and fish along side some roasted potatoes with olive oil and fresh rosemary from the garden. In Italy the family gathers for every meal. It is a beautiful thing that I someday hope to replicate with my own family. It also wouldn't hurt to have kids like Silvia and Gianluca have. Andrea and Laura are in charge of setting the table and clearing it after each meal which they do obligingly and without complaint...yes, please! I'll take two. Wrap them up and bill my address.

Family meal time is the best at the Antiga's we talk and we eat and we share time together as a family and I love it. Also, the Italian wine at dinner and the limoncello aperitif isn't so bad...

Peace, Love and Travel,
Reba