August 27 - September 1, 2014 'Swatch' out you may be in time for a surprise !

August 27 - September 1, 2014   'Swatch' out you may be in time for a surprise!  (Happy Birthday Luigi)


Love all the old architecture in Bari!  Just a sample.  Soon I will post pictures of many old buildings. They are wonderful!

August 27th.  One thing that I love and appreciate among the 'friends' here is their love for one another. It is so obvious and their willingness to help one another and me! All the rides, open homes and meals... can hardly take it all in. Wednesday's are bible study night at Caputo's and Luigi picked up AnnaMaria, Concettina and myself. Love our time together there. On Thursday, researched where to start Italian classes.  No luck yet.  Talked to Liliana about it and she says it is still holiday's here in Italy, and school doesn't start until 15th of Sept. for the school children, so probably won't be anything available until after that.  Teachers are all still taking advantage of the warm weather.

August 29th, Friday morning Cristina messaged me if I wanted to go to IKEA. I had slept in until 9am (I'm on retirement time now!), so I hurried along and she picked me up about 10:30. Took our time looking and I purchased a few additional items that I needed for the apartment. Then, of course, it was time for espresso and a croissant :) ... the children were getting hungry :) Sounds reasonable to me!

Notice the very large cup of coffee (espresso) NOT!  It is really just a shot of coffee, black as coal and thick as mud... small but mighty!!

After she dropped me off, I had time to do a few things, then shower and clean up as I was meeting Teresa to go shopping for a present for Luigi. We had a great time wandering around Bari Centro, a drink at the cafe, then caught the bus off to her home where we visited until Marco came to pick me up.

 I had offered to watch the children (ages 2 & 4) so Marco and Cristina could have a date night on Friday. Now keep in mind, I speak very little Italian, the children do not speak English. Anyway, we had a wonderful evening together and very few words were necessary.... however, the house was a bit untidy when the folks arrived home... somehow playing bus and train and whatever other nonsense I could think up produced lots of items getting brought out :) We had a great time and finally about 10 minutes before they arrived home, Roberto fell asleep... whew. We all visited for a while, then Marco took me home. By now, I had had a very full day, so no trouble sleeping this night :)

August 30, 2014 Next day, Saturday, I spent decorating my wall with my purchases... cannot put holes, so this was my alternative. Love looking up and seeing these beautiful children, makes me feel like I'm not quite so far away.

Cleaned up the joint, did laundry; sheets, towels, etc. Every day I walk somewhere, often to the market, or along the sea, however, it is better to go early in the morning or late at evening. It has been very hot here... been running the A/C every day, so may find I have a BIG bill! I'll know on the first when my rent is due. Saturday afternoon, I played my first on-line game of Chess with Mariano and got 'killed'!! and he said he was taking it easy on me!!! Of course, having not played since my children were young teens (25-30 years ago) didn't help me any. Was glad Dean showed me some when I was there in July... I couldn't even remember what the 'pieces' were called!!! In addition, for some reason, I failed to eat on Saturday all day, so by 6pm, my stomach was feeling like my throat had been cut. I'm sure this added to my losing in chess.... hee hee

Aurora had shown me how to make a particular soup that I really liked and had eaten at her home, so I went to the market, got the things I needed and made that and it was wonderful. Thank you Aurora! Now off to bed for an early rise on Sunday.

August 31, 2014 Once again, Luigi picked me up, this time at 8:45, as he had several others he was picking up for church. Then we picked up Freda and headed to Caputo's. After he dropped us there, he picked up AnnaMaria and Concettina. After church, we all had lunch at Caputo's along with Cristina's 'brother-n-law' from Greece who had arrived on Saturday evening. He has been transferred to Naples for his work. Cristina's sister from Greece will join him as soon as he finds them a place to live.

What was for lunch... Riso e frutti di mare (Rice and seafood), then homemade french fries, sausages, salad, bruschetta, watermelon, honeydew, caffe. Always a feast! Roberto (age 2) was sitting beside me and insisted on eating off my plate, so he kept putting more and more fries on it... not my fault!!! really!

 Luigi, Roberto, Freda

Roberto questioning the sea food... don't think he was too sure about this

L-R Cristina, AnnaMaria, Concettina, Freda, Mariella, Aurora, Nicola (hidden), Luigi, Marco, Panos, and back of Roberto.

After lunch, Cristina and I headed to the shops to purchase supplies and groceries for a party tomorrow evening (Monday). Trying to have a surprise birthday party for Luigi (47). Anyway, hurried along a bit as evening bible study was at 6pm at Malfalda's. So nice to have Freda, AnnaMaria and Concettina. Arrived home about 8:30... Sundays are usually all day affairs :)  So now this brings me to..

Monday, September 1, 2014 Up early, as I have gotten a few things done in the apartment, then the market, now showered and ready at 11:30am to catch the bus over to Cristina's so I can help prepare the birthday party for tonight. So all for now, will post pics and more later. ciao

What a fun evening. I think Luigi was sufficiently surprised!

  

 Freda, Malfalda, Concettina

 Luigi, Freda, AnnaMaria, Malfalda, Concettina, Nicola

 Teresa and I

 Marco the master chef

 Teresa, Luigi and Alessandria

In honor of Luigi's profession... he is a Prosthodontist.  Laboratorio Odontotecnico.  (I made these out of Apples/Peanut Butter & Marshmellows and the only thing that was easy to find here in Italy was the Apples!!!)

 L-R back row Marco, Teresa, Freda, Alessandria, me, AnnaMaria, Aurora, Cristina
front: Nicola, Luigi, Concettina, Malfalda.

  Per un Giorno di Serenita'

fatta di quelle Piccole Cose

Importanti perche' Vere...

Per un Giorno passato a sorridere

insieme a Persone che ami.

Per un Giorno che ti fa sentire Unica

Perche' semplicemente

sei Speciale!!!

AUGURI!

Buon Compleanno Luigi!!!

Swatch

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUIGI !

 The hosts, Cristina and Marco

Alessandria fixed Aurora's hair... too cute.

 Great evening had by all!! Happy Birthday Luigi!  Buon Compleanno!  If you don't get your watch band shortened, you can wear it as a necklace... or at least as a choker! ☺

When I arrived home about 11pm and saw I had missed a skype call from my grandkids. No answer when I returned the call, so off to bed for this old gal. No trouble getting to sleep, however, I awoke at 4:30 this morning... ugh. I have much to do today, so not a bad thing... planning a trip tomorrow to Sicily with Freda Good. She needed to go get her things from there and move them to Bari, so was glad for this opportunity. We will spend a week visiting the friends on Sicily before returning.  Will post again when I return.

Ciao!!