I have only had two full days in Reggio, and I am already in love with the city. Although I have not yet gone into any of the churches or the museums, the history and beauty of the city is visible by walking around. Every building is different, but all have the Italian charm...flowers growing up the wall, detailed architect, beautiful doors...
In the two days I have been here, I have already conquered driving (yes, Taber trusted me with a car in a foreign country) and an Italian exercise class. Besides almost hitting a rooster, I managed the roads of Reggio just fine. I am sure I got many unpleasant looks while driving (I was too focused on not getting in an accident to notice) and I know, for a fact, I got many confused looks while in the aerobics class. At the beginning of the class the instructor asked Bianca, the girlfriend of our roommate, and I a question in Italian. We thought she asked if we like to dance...we both replied "yes". Shortly into the class we discovered she had really asked "Do you know how to Latin dance." I may be able to come in 2nd place at the Bean/Galle wedding dance off, but I cannot Latin dance. It is close to impossible to move my hips the way Italian women do, I swear they were born with motors in their hips. Needless to say, we gave the other in the class a good laugh. It did not help the instructor was yelling at us in Italian to kick our legs up higher...Italians must also not be born with joints, their flexibility was very impressive.
Today we went to Franco's house, he is a main sponsor of the team. His house is gorgeous, tradition Italian on the outside with a very modern interior.His wife cooked us a delicious meal of ragu pasta, salad, meat, potatoes, bread, chocolate cake, and gelato...it was course after course. I thought my stomach was going to explode after the first course, but it was too tasty to stop. Taber was in heaven with all the food.
Franco, his wife, and two sons speak English very well, so it was quite easy to communicate. I am looking forward to learning some Italian so I am able to communicate with them, and others in the city, in their language.
Although it is nice when you come across someone who speaks English, I feel it is more appropriate for Taber and I to learn their language. So...I am trying to study the dictionary a little everyday. Taber has picked up quite a bit from the field. We went to dinner on our own last night and were able to translate the menu, order, and pay all in Italian.
For anyone concerned Taber would go into withdrawal not having Mexican food for 5 months, he has managed to find a "burrito". It is consists of shaved meat, french fries, cabbage, carrots, hot sauce, and a cream sauce all wrapped in a flour tortilla. In the short month he has been here, he has already become a regular at that particular cafe.:)
Taber has a double header today. I am on my way to conquer another Italian workout class and then to the game.