Fooled By Randomness
It's is fun being mistaken for a native here. I get stopped on the street at least once a day by someone asking me for directions. At least yesterday, I felt good that I was able to respond to someone asking in Italian where something was, and I gave accurate directions (at least I think I did) in Italian. Another benefit was as I walked into an out of the way restaurant yesterday for a late lunch, and the Italian owner yelled out to me from the kitchen asking if I was Italian and would I like a Carciofi alla Romana. I was only half paying attention and answered "Si" to both. So, he sent over their specialty, artichoke prepared in classic Roman style, and it was great. His wife was the waitress and they quickly (as soon as I opened my mouth) figured out I wasn't a native Italian. But, we had a good conversation in Italian, and he explained that as soon as he saw me walk in the place, he knew I wasn't a tourist, but a fellow Italian. He only had a couple Carciofi left, and wanted to give them to someone who would appreciate it, and hence his questions to me. When you think about it, other than not being fluent in the language and not having lived here, I am a native Italian in a way. I just started a book recommended by my friend Dave called "Fooled by Randomness". Haven't read enough yet to know all that it is about. But, generally we tend to look too hard for reasons for everthing, finding cause and effect and dismissing how much randomness plays in our lives. For example, how many random acts had to take place for me to end up living in Minnesota. I had a set of grandparents born and married in Sicily,and another set born and married in Calabria, not all that far apart. Had all grandparents not emigrated to Milwaukee and Minnesota, respectively, my parents could have been born in Italy. Is it any more random and far-fetched to think that my parents may have met, married and had our family somewhere here in Italy, than the fact that they instead met in Washington D.C., married, returned to Minneapolis and raised their family. So, by changing a few random facts, I could just have easily spent my life down the road from here someplace rather than in Minnesota, and perhaps then, I'd have been looking for a way to get to America. Anyway, what's this got to do with anything. Time is flying by here. I am finalizing plans for leaving here this Saturday, and will let you tomorrow, as things get more finalized. I'm probably going to Sicilia by way of Napoli, then back here for final day. Today after class I went for lunch with two other students at a Korean restaurant. The Korean priest in class talked us into joining him, as he loves Korean food, and he's not too wild about Italian food. It was not bad food, but I would rather stick to Italian. You know: "When in Rome do as the Romans, not the Koreans." After lunch paid a visit to the Cappuccini monks crypt where you can see the skelatal remains of 4000 cuppuccini monks piled up and made into patterns and light fixtures. Very interesting and no pictures allowed. Then returned here for the weekly group English practice, moved this week to Tuesday instead of Wednesday. I hate to leave and miss next week's group just as I seem to be getting the hang of speaking English. Finished the day with a good plate of pasta with the rest of the melanzane and some sausage. And a toast to Uncle Jim laid to rest today.
Jim Pingatore 1923-2011
Awwwww.... that was a sweet ending. My thoughts were with your family today. I know it is both exhausting (emotionally, and with all there is to do) and comforting (the words of friends all those in that sweet Italian family of yours) just getting through this very long day. And, as our mutual friend's baby was born today,it poignantly nails that whole circle of life idea.
ReplyDeleteThe Cappuchin Crypt was a nice touch, as well. If I remember correctly, at the end of the crypt is a sign in Latin, which translates to: "What you are, we once were; What we are, you will be." Kinda sums it up. Btw, there is one in Sicily, too: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capuchin_catacombs_of_Palermo
I think you are mistaken for a native Italian, even back here, but the give-away in Italy is that you were not wearing white tennies or shorts!
As you head to bella Napoli, please give Davide and his family big hugs for me.
Lastly, your randomness may no longer be so random. Who knows, maybe you will be setting things back to the way they should be, and end up whiling away your days in "your" country. It sure seems to be agreeing with you so far. You not only look happy, you look "at home." From what you are posting, it seems that even the locals agree. Bella cosa, Giuseppe... la vita e' solo uno!
I look forward to these posts. I'm anxious to hear if you spend any time in Palermo. To me, it is the "Rome" of Sicily, but with even more amazing seafood.
I'll drink a nice southern Italian red, in honor of your uncle, and a sparkling new prosecco, in celebration of the new and improved Caterina. Geez, I'd better get going!
Thanks again for the update. Abbracci!
You were missed at the funeral today but brother Tom did your tribute justice embellishing where needed, using the kite story to end. He made it all the way through before the tears formed but was able to finish with dignity intact.
ReplyDeleteThis must be a bittersweet week for you as you will be saying goodbye to many good friends and memories. I am sure the ties that you have made are strong and will last for many years to come.
I don't want it to be time for you to go home yet! I know you still have more than a week, but it seems so soon! I want to keep reading about your adventures. Or maybe I just like this blog because I get a play by play of your days, if you could keep on posting on your daily activities from here on out, even in Minnesota, I think I'd be just as happy. Enjoy your last week of school, I'm sure it will fly by. Oh, and thank you for the birthday postcard, it's the first one in years that's been delivered before my birthday, the Italian postal service must be way more organized than ours. :)
ReplyDeleteWell if you were born in Italy you wouldn't be taking these Italian lessions, you'd probably be one of those gondola drivers, singing to your passengers.
ReplyDeleteI think you should stay a few more weeks . . . I'm coming out next week. You can show me around . . .