Emiliano and Ernesto say hello to all of my American friends and family. After a long time of trying to understand what they were yelling at me I gave up and downloaded a translator app. They also told me to tell you all to learn Italian because English is moltto brutto. Ernesto and Emiliano are the sons of my host family. Emiliano is four and Ernesto is eight. Had it not been for the blue tights whiteies they were wearing when I met them I would have mistaken them for two girls. Their hair is longer and more luscious than mine has ever been and probably will ever be. They spend their time running around the agriturismo in the buff, yelling (often at me) in Italian, and playing with whatever inanimate object they can find. Yesterday Emiliano stabbed me with a branch tied to a fork wrapped in tin foil. Giuliana told me he made a sword and was requesting the American fight him in the name of Italia. Obviously I picked up my fork and fought to defend the honor of the homestead. Sadly I cannot report of victory because I was wounded in battle when Emiliano's sword broke and a leaf flew in my eye leaving me temporarily blinded.  I made a noble attempt though and was rewarded with the best pasta carbonara in the  world.

Today was my second day of working in the garden. I picked tomatoes yesterday and today I had the honor of pulling weeds. The mound of weeds I pulled was as tall as I am I kid you not. Next week is when I will hopefully be working in the vines but in the meantime I do whatever Paolo needs of me in the garden. We listen to salsa music and mostly keep to ourselves. Despite the language barrier I've gotten to know a bit about him. You can tell by looking at him that he was a badass back in his day. Tattoos cover his arms and double piercings adorn his ears. He's the type of guy you would picture circling the coliseum on his motorcycle rather than pulling weeds in the garden.  When he gave me a ride back to the agriturismo I noticed the car seat in the back of his mini van. His whole life changed when his bambino Nina was born. Mystery gone.

Slowly I'm learning more about each person that works and lives here. They are sincere and simple in the best kind of way. I am learning a lot from them and in turn a lot about myself. I have a lot of free time where I read or write in my journal generously provided by the spectacular Candace Moo. If tht itself is the only thing I get out of this trip then it's all well worth it.

Freddo e caldo
Janelle