Cooking class, lord of the flies and making pals

   Yesterday was an amazing day. It's always been a fantasy to take a cooking class in italy, so yesterday that's just what we did. It was an amazing experience. Getting our hands dirty in dough, rolling out fresh pasta then using a tool called a guitar the slice out thin spaghetti was a culinary field trip I will never forget. There was only four people in our class including us. The other couple was a Dutch couple. We have met so many people from the Netherlands on this trip and I am struck by how warm and sweet they are. I also might add that people from holland are exceptionally good looking. I am usually not impressed by the look of fair skinned people but these people are a good looking bunch, the men are tall and have sharp pointed features, there is no shortage of beautiful women. The people in our class , Gerry and jan were a little reserved at first and I worried I was talking their ears off. But by the time we finished four hours of cooking together and sat down to eat together we were like old friends. 

   When we got back to the camp the kids were still playing futbol, as it's called in italy. Americans know it as soccer. We will never call it soccer again. It's the game of Europe, it's played with your foot and since they are the ones who take it so seriously we shall refer to it as football and my kids are hooked. They are getting their  own cultural experience in so many ways. Some days we are disappointed they are not as enthusiastic as we are about seeing ancient roman ruins, but then as I watched them play there five hundredth game offootball last night and making friends with kids there age from Ireland, holland , Germany ,Scotland England I realised this is such a wonderful education in itself. The other boys were very kind and welcoming and they all had such great sportsmanship. In Europe on both trips we have taught our boys just to approach other kids and ask to play, they always have been treated kindly and end up with new pals. I once told them to do this in America at a campground where some boys were playing ball and I watched as my kids walked over, then turned around and came right back. I asked what happened? They said " screw off"   So another lesson they are learning , actually they already are great at this, but still, how to treat others and welcome them in to a group. They actually are exceptional at this but it's still drives the point home. 

   Last night as I was walking up some stairs in our camp sight I had a horrifying experience. A GIANT bug flew right at my face. It was so big it sounded like a tractor flying at me. I at first thought it was a freaky humungous bumble bee. Living up to my reputation, I completely overreacted and screamed and jumped as though  Freddy Kruger was chasing me with an axe. These darling people at the top of the stairs tried to comfort me with their accent saying" do not worry, it's not dangerous!" This always cracks me up when English isn't the first language I suppose this a practical thing to say, I do realize I wasn't being chased by a lion, that would be a dangerous animal, but still , when a freakin giant fly from hell the size of a bird is in your face it's a frightening experience. 

   Last night we watched the World Cup in the bar at our campground. I have never watched a sports game before, but I may be hooked. The room was filled with people wearing orange from holland to support their team. We sat by our new pals Gerry and jan and they filled me in on the details I missed. When holland won the room exploded in cheering and singing. It was great fun. And ladies the Dutch football team , wowsers.    Just saying... 

   The boys and Jimmie finished the night playing more football and watching another game. I relaxed in our trailer and cried my eyes out while reading a book on auschwitz we picked up while visiting dauchau.  I can't put the book down, it's horrible, humans , I really love humans, I love meeting them and talking to them and hugging them. I can't imagine humans that can be so ruthless and cruel. The book is a reality check to say the least. 

   This campground is called girasole. It's near the town of Figline Valdarno. You should look it up, it's maybe my favorite and I think for sure the kids favorite. Definitely want to come back here. 

   Well that's all for now folks.