Italian Overview

The whole family gathered to greet us on arrival; the bambini table at Saturday night dinner; Anna with sons Ennio and Diego and Ennio's family; Daniele's family; Gaudenzio and Magda; Anna, Liliana and Antonio; Paola and family with Laura; Laura and Paola; The family turns out at the airport to say goodbye--until next time!

As we boarded the airplane to return from Italy today, Cecily asked if we were going home. "Home to London," came the reply. Cecily screwed up her face and began to wail. "Why are you crying," Dad asked? " 'Cause we will have to go to church and another 'zeum!" came the tearful reply. Cecily's attitude pretty much summed up the attitude of her sisters. All three had a wonderful time in Italy and are very ready to go back. As always, the greeting from her Laura's large, extended Italian family was over-the-top, including a big family dinner Saturday night for which La Famiglia Zanino et Famiglia Tapparo rented out the best restaurant in town, which isn't hard to do, since members of the family own it. Besides, since everybody in town is pretty much related there are no patrons left if the family is having a function! Best of all, from the girl's persective, was the abundance of cousins. Although the bambini speak little or no English and our three speak no Italian, this was not an impediment to playing games like chase and tag. The girls even had costumes, made by the relatives, in which to attend the local carnevale with all the other children of the town, where they enjoyed throwing confetti, dancing to music, watching a magician and eating pizza. Best of all, there were no 'zeums for three days (although they had to endure one winery tour), and the sun shone bright every day.