Day 3: Wednesday, December 17Today Max and Nicholaus went to school with their brothers. Oleg and Ivan are in different schools but they are very close together. And the interesting thing about their schools in this area is that they go to school about 7:30 and then are dismissed at 1:30 for the day. They don't serve any type of meal at school. The kids just take a snack and then they eat lunch after school at home.
So Max went with Ivan to school and Nicholaus went with Oleg. They really didn't have too much to say other than that it seemed the teachers yelled a lot and that everyone stared at them and tried to talk to them, which they didn't understand. I explained that it is easy to think that people are yelling but that it was probably just that Italian is spoken with such, ummmm passion, that it often seems like yelling. HA! Max did say that it seemed the his classmates' English skills were better than Ivan's. So they joked that Ivan needed to study harder in English class.
So Max went with Ivan to school and Nicholaus went with Oleg. They really didn't have too much to say other than that it seemed the teachers yelled a lot and that everyone stared at them and tried to talk to them, which they didn't understand. I explained that it is easy to think that people are yelling but that it was probably just that Italian is spoken with such, ummmm passion, that it often seems like yelling. HA! Max did say that it seemed the his classmates' English skills were better than Ivan's. So they joked that Ivan needed to study harder in English class.
After school and lunch (which I've got a post coming on the food!!) the kids went for a bike ride. Then it was time for Ivan's drum lessons. Yes, drums. Melisa and Quinto are much braver than I am to allow drums. So while Ivan was at drum lessons, the rest of us went down to the marina where the fisherman catch and sell their fish. It was beautiful and interesting. And I didn't bring my camera! After that Melisa needed to stop to get some cheese. She told me that the cheese man was from England and spoke ENGLISH! YEAH! It was so nice to hear English. We talked with him for a long time. And he gave us samples of cheese and said what wonderful people Melisa and Quinto are. His "store" was quite interesting. It isn't so much a store as a rolling shop of cheese and meat. But given the number of customers there and the quality of the cheeses we tried, he does a great business.
The Pignotti's church is near the cheese man, so we stopped by to meet their priest. Mass had just ended and we thought we had missed the priest. But we hadn't. And I'm so glad we got to meet him. He immediately gave me and Byron a hug and then hugged all of the kids. He then promptly smacked them all upside the head. Hard. Max and Nicholaus were a little stunned, but they immediately picked up on Oleg and Ivan that this was a term of endearment. The priest was younger than I expected and their church is very modern. It was beautiful. The priest asked if we were Catholic. I explained that we were Protestant and he asked if the boys had been baptized. I explained that yes they had, but that in our church, baptism is by immersion not sprinkling. This amused him. ;) He clearly loved the kids and based on their joking and playful interactions, it is mutal.
The Pignotti's church is near the cheese man, so we stopped by to meet their priest. Mass had just ended and we thought we had missed the priest. But we hadn't. And I'm so glad we got to meet him. He immediately gave me and Byron a hug and then hugged all of the kids. He then promptly smacked them all upside the head. Hard. Max and Nicholaus were a little stunned, but they immediately picked up on Oleg and Ivan that this was a term of endearment. The priest was younger than I expected and their church is very modern. It was beautiful. The priest asked if we were Catholic. I explained that we were Protestant and he asked if the boys had been baptized. I explained that yes they had, but that in our church, baptism is by immersion not sprinkling. This amused him. ;) He clearly loved the kids and based on their joking and playful interactions, it is mutal.
Following our fish, cheese, and church excursion we headed home, but first stopped by the home of Melisa's cousin (Melisa's mother's sister, her daughter and her family). Nicholaus had already been visiting with Ivan and had met them all. Immediately upon walking in the house, we were hugged by everyone there and told how wonderful Max and Nicholaus were and what good boys Oleg and Ivan are. The Aunt (sorry, I couldn't make out her name) is quite old and Melisa shared with me that she is in poor health. But she clearly loved all of the boys. Shortly after arriving, Maura (the cousin) told me that her son, who lived on the 3rd floor, was on his way downstairs and that HE SPOKE ENGLISH. 2 people in one day! So Marco came in and greeted us with a "How you doing?". So we chatted with him and his girlfriend who is studying to be an OBGYN in Rome in English for a bit. He cracked us up with the admission that he learned English by watching Friends on DVD. How funny. Meanwhile the cakes and pastries start appearing on the table. And the coffee and drinks. Such hospitality. Interestingly enough, the Aunt shared with me how Ivan comes to visit her EVERY.DAY. I can not tell you how much it warms my heart to hear that like our 2, they are also compassionate kids. Amazing.
In the photo, you will see Maura (Melisa's cousin), Maura's husband Frankie, Ivan and Max, and Maura's father, Primo. And if you look at the top left of the photo, you will see some hand crocheted flowers. The Aunt gave me a bunch of these as a gift when we were leaving. So generous
In the photo, you will see Maura (Melisa's cousin), Maura's husband Frankie, Ivan and Max, and Maura's father, Primo. And if you look at the top left of the photo, you will see some hand crocheted flowers. The Aunt gave me a bunch of these as a gift when we were leaving. So generous
So after some cake and lots of hugs and lots of conversation (that was soooooo loud. I LOVE it!) we said our goodbyes for the night. Such an amazing extended family. Who clearly love Oleg and Ivan and already love us.
When we got back to the Pignotti's house (which is literally across the street), Ivan's Godfather (who is also Quinto's cousin) was waiting to say hello. He was most intriqued by the kids playing Uno. And he also came to invite us for dinner tomorrow. He seems genuinely nice and clearly loves Ivan as evidenced by the numerous hugs and love taps. ;) It's been a good day. I must say that I have learned so much about the Italian culture on this trip. They truly know how to treat guests. I have never been treated with such hospitality. It's humbling. And also about the value of visiting. It seems that people visit constantly. It's nice and makes me miss that we live so far from our family at home.
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