Grande Festa

So what shall I write about first, my trip to Rome, Italy's win in the championship game, or maybe the fact that I finally discovered where the apostrophe button is on this Italian keyboard (the proof is behind the word Italy above and yes, keyboards are a little different here). Allora (um...so), the festa. Italy won the world cup last night. Campioni del mundo! This may or may not be in the news there but it is a huge deal here. The last time they won was early in the 80's and before that was in the 30's. Gianfranco's daughter, Roberta, invited me out with her friends again to see the game. We went to a bar/pizzeria that we went to last time to watch the Germany-Italy game where they sent up a giant screen outside. After the two 15 minute overtimes, we all stood in anticipation during the final penalty kicks. Then there was much jumping, yelling, hugging, spraying of champagne and water bottles. I was bagnata (wet from the water). More than once, I had to dash to save my camera from the spray.
In the street, cars were driving by honking, waving flags, and occasionally doing the simultaneou sbrakes and gas squeely move. As other Italian regazzi (young people) loaded onto a giant livestock truck that came from who knows where, I got into the car with Roberta, her fiance--Lorenzo, and one other friend heading on our way to Cianciano Terme half an hour away. I had no idea what we'd find there, but didn't care it was all so thrilling. People from all over had gathered in the main square with drums, noismakers, flags, children, old folks, face paint, more squealing cars and giant trucks passing by, and so much more noisemaking and celebration. It reminded me of post-basketball "celebrations" at Michigan State University, only this was totally peaceful. Italians aren't perfect, however, and there were some beer bottles strewn on the ground. We left at 2 am and I'm sure all of this went on for much longer.

Rome in comparision, doesn't seem so exciting to write about--Not that it wasn't exctiting. Allora, I took the train for just the day to meet my cousin Jim and some of the people he had brought up from the camp they work at in Naples. Jim is a lot of fun and it was great to see him. We went to the Coloseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Fontana Treve, Piazza Venezia, and the Roman Forum (ruins). Of all of this, I most enjoyed The Roman ruins where I proceeded to take photo after photo of the carvings in the giant column pieces that were strewn everwhere. At the fontana treve, I enjoyed using my Italian to tell the many men who approached me with their flower ploy to "Va via!" (go away). They hand you flowers as if they are free, walk away, then come bakc and ask you for money. I was highly annoyed at the third through the fifth who came to harass me...one even shook flower water in my face after I vehemently said no.

Today, I've spent some extra time here in Montepulciano just scoping out he streets and sights. It's not to hard to do because all streets pretty much either go up to the top or down to the bottom where I head home.

Oh yes, in answer to your question mom, "piano" means softly or slowly.

Enough of this typing, I'm off to wander.