Carnevale e' arrivato!

The carnival season has arrived! Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, we came home and found that parking along the street of our house would be impossible. Traffic was insane, there were crowds so thick it made driving difficult, and we faced oncoming traffic (yeah, they were confused and going the wrong way) in a small one way road. Finally we arrived at our house and parked inside the gate. Living so close to the Parco della Pellerina is both a blessing and a curse. One one hand, we are close to all the exciting events that take place there, from the various circuses and festivals, fairs, and amusement parks which the boys love, but... we are close to it, so we bear the brunt of the massive influx of humanity that also goes there. Parking on the sidewalks and in the middle of the roads becomes common, and the noise! Loud noises in the middle of the night. I have prior experience with this though, from last year, and keep a pair of earplugs near my bedside.
After some time at home, we heard lots of booming music, but we thought it was simply "Luna Park" an amusement park just across the road where we planned to take the boys after a comfortable "digestion" period that we needed after our excellent lunch.
I was in the kitchen putting away some dishes, when I saw a pink dragon go floating by on the road below the house, bordering the park. I stepped out on the balcony and discovered it was a parade going by.
We all put our coats on and made our way outside to join the fun.

This is Gianduja, the King of Carnevale here in Torino. You can read more about him here.

I am not sure exactly what this charming float filled with "Chimney sweeps" of Mary Poppins had to do with Carnevale... although it is a mystery that I am sure I could have solved if first I had enjoyed a beer or two.

This is an example of the confetti that covered that covered the streets and people, like colored snow. Actually, from here on out, I will refer to it as coriandoli, the Italian word for confetti. After all you know, "When in Rome..."

Matthew was amazed when among all the people standing along the side of the road, a clown walked up to him and took his bright green pom pom and started brushing the coriandoli off Matthew. They stared solemnly at each other. After all this work of cleaning Matthew, the clown grinned and...

dumped a large handful of coriandoli all over Matthew's head. (I can't quite believe that I managed to catch that moment!) That was simply luck.

Despite the cold there were many ladies in skimpy costumes that I felt very sorry for! It is one thing to parade around in a warm country, but here in January? Brrrrrrrr!

The children, although in costumes, were also bundled up warmly. Matthew shyly gathered coriandoli from the road with some girls around his age and then they pelted each other with it. It was nice to see the Torinese (people of Torino) so animated and smiling. After dark, the parade finally was over. We walked back up the hill, tried to remove as much coriandoli as possible, and went inside our warm home.

Later, we heard some loud booming! What was that? We went out on one of the balconies and saw this beautiful firework display.

La Befana

Today was the day of La Befana.

There are different legends about her...

One of these, says that there was an old woman who was asked by the three kings about the road to Bethlehem. She indicated the road and asked the three kings why they were looking for that place, and the three kings explained who they were looking for.

She decided to go with them, but she was late because she was looking for some candies for baby Jesus in her home, and when she came back outside the three kings were gone. She went to Bethlehem anyway to see this baby, but she didn’t know how to find him. So she began to give these candies to any child she met. And from that moment she was the one who brought candies to children.

My own two boys are thrilled at another chance for candies, and goodies after Christmas and the holiday for the New Year.

The Befana brings candy to good children, or coal to bad boys and girls. Sound familiar? In fact here in Italy, boys and girls don’t receive stockings from Santa Clause or even Babbo Natale (as he is better known here), but on January sixth they receive stockings full of these things from the Befana.

Last year I was amazed. The Befana looks like a scarey witch, (not in the above picture because I picked a cute one) who seems much more in keeping with a Halloween holiday, than anything to do with Christmas. But believe me, she is much adored and loved here.

So my two boys miss out on Christmas stockings, but they aren’t missing a thing. Even if we forgot the holiday with the Befana... the nonni would make sure that she stopped by our house with a couple big stockings of candy.

This year I managed to get with it a bit more, I am learning a whole new life after all. And according to the kids, what is not to love about the Befana? Hmmm....

An old woman bearing gifts or candy and stockings who flies on a broom? Or a jolly old man in red who flies by reindeer? Never let it be said that I am too old to adjust!

What we have here...

... is the effect of staying up past mid night to wish each other a "Buon Anno!" Poor sleepy puppies! So everyone napped frequently New Years day. We are off to a sleepy start for 2007.

An Adventure in the Valle d' Aosta

Warm sunshine, glorious blue sky at least part of the time, and sweet fresh air, what more could we ask for our mountain adventure? If you have been following my blog recently you will know that it has been very warm here in Torino. We decided we would have to go to the snow, if we wanted to see it at all this Christmas vacation! Gabriel and Matthew were overjoyed at the prospect of spending time outside in the snow. Delta (the dog) acted so silly when she first touched it. She jumped, tried to inhale it, and finally rolled in it. She was so cute.

We met our friends in a little village in the Valle d’Aosta called Extrapieratz, and then we all went to Champoluc, another village, where we ice skated, and later the boys went sledding.

We even saw Santa Clause! I am not sure why he was there in Champoluc, a few days after Christmas, and in a cart pulled by horses, but the children were happy to see him.

It was a lovely day, full of the sound of children laughing, a little vin brule ( hot spiced wine) hot chocolate, good conversation with friends, cold reddened cheeks, sparkly snow, a fantastic home cooked dinner prepared by our hosts, consisting of polenta (thick cooked corn meal... what my mom calls cornmeal mush) with various formaggi (cheeses) and great tomato sauce with salsiccia (sausage) and mocetta (a cured meat traditional of the Valle d’Aosta).

After dinner, we even heard a few songs picked on a banjo by our host! Yee haw! Now that was great!

The views of the Alps were breathtaking. I couldn’t stop staring at the mountains. At night all was dark except a few brilliant stars, lights in the houses nearby, and beautifully lit Christmas trees in the yards. Across a vast valley were lights of houses far away, nestled in the foothills, right below the snow-line of the towering mountains. It was peaceful, majestic, and cold. A moment like this is food for the soul.

click here to see my photos of this fun day!

Enough...

with the food already!
This has certainly been the season for good food, and lots of it. If you would like to give your tongue another exercise (other than eating) try this Italian tongue twister:

Sul tagliere l'aglio taglia
non tagliare la tovaglia
la tovaglia non é aglio
e tagliarla é un grave sbaglio.

*Practice tip* The way for English speakers to pronounce the gli in Italian words is to try to approximate the sound of the lli in "William."

Christmas! Mary and Jesus

Although old and damaged by flooding, this salvaged piece of a painting touches my heart. I took this photo without a flash, and without a tri-pod while holding my breath and trying to stay still. It doesn't do justice to the original (which to my sadness I do not know who painted it) but I am still happy I have this photo. It is much more than a souvenir of some beautiful days spent in Florence. I think the subject, although divine, are portrayed in a much more human objective than the usual Madonna and Christ child. They seem more touchable, or at least more knowable. I love the reality of the baby at the breast. 

To all my friends and family, and readers, and new blogging buddies, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas!

Cheers Babbo Natale!

Dear Babbo Natale,
Today the boys and I were discussing something to leave for you, should you be hungry or thirsty on your travels around the world. Matthew thinks that since all the other children will be leaving you milk and cookies, we should do something different. (He is also concerned that all the milk and cookies you consume on Christmas eve contribute to your portly tummy).
So, I asked the boys what they would like to give you instead, and the verdict is a big ol' plate of lasagne and some beer.
Of course we know this is unconventional, but Matthew chose the lasagne because it would help to warm you up on this cold night. Gabriel suggested some beer for you since you are "like a great Grandpa, and they like beer, don't they?"

So, I hope this explains what you will find in our kitchen.
Cheers!
XOXOXO
Ambra

They're just full of surprises!

I was wrapping Christmas gifts at the kitchen table. The boys were chatting with each other in the living room. They had just come home from school and eaten lunch. I was half paying attention to what I was doing, and listening to the boys, and sort of planning what to cook for dinner. The tone changed. They started getting louder. I got up and spied on them in the living room. They were arguing, gesturing wildly with their hands, eyes flashing, puffy red faces yelling at one another. I didn’t interfere. I wanted to see what would happen. After a little while, Gabriel capitulated and gave his little brother what he wanted. I smiled and crept back into the kitchen. Hmmmm, interesting.
All of that arguing and emotion... and they never once broke into English!

Venezia

There is an allure to Venezia that draws me in... despite the crowds. Had I been a child growing up in her watery streets, I would have counted myself among the luckiest of kids. My youngest son and I spent this past weekend searching for the water nymphs that come to play at night, rising out of the water after the sun sets, finding clothes to cover them, and then joining the people wherever they revel. We also searched for lions with wings, angels and other fantastical creatures. We found them everywhere! Such magic...
While in Venice I can’t pay attention to my tired feet, or hungry tummy. I feel compelled to watch the way the light moves across the water and its' reflections shimmer on old brick and marble houses, churches and palaces. I walk and walk, falling into a stupor accented by an aching back and complaining feet right before sleep reaches out for me in the wee hours of the morning. Each street of Venice beckons me. I want to walk the lengths of them, turn every corner, see each courtyard... become intimately familiar with this city. I am sure that had I lived here as a child, I would have been (in my imagination) a pirate! I would have had my secret hide-out and planned escape routes. Venice would have given me rich historical adventures to draw upon and embellish for my games.
As an adult, I would love to see all of Venice. First and foremost to have the time, then a camera to capture images, a diary to record my thoughts and a sketch pad to release the creativity that I always feel while there. I have never felt this way about any other city. When I admire places, they are invariably settings in the country, except for Venice.

Does anyone else feel so inspired by this city?

Benvenuti Amici! (Welcome Friends)!

Our friends are arriving in Italy today, although not in Torino until this evening. After all the great weather we have been experiencing this fall, it has decided to rain. But my spirits are not dampened. I am happy to say that this morning, after some excellent Italian coffee I am sufficiently awake to begin planning for the day. As for our friends, I think they are somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean right now. I wonder what they will think of Torino? I can't wait to ask them what kind of travelling advice about Italy was given to them. I remember a well-meaning relative of mine told me before I first came to Italy "You don't need to know any Italian, all of them learn English in school." And I believed him. So funny!
On another note, one of my favorite people in the world has translated into English a nice piece about the mythical origins of Torino. You can read about it here .

And copied here:

Le Origini Di Torino Tra Miti E Leggende

Here is something from my history class... translated into English by me!

The origins of Torino are rooted in myths and legends.

First Legend:
Once upon a time there was a humongous serpent who had, I don’t know how many heads, that lived in the woods in the outskirts of Torino and was the terror of the merchants and the desolation of the citizens, many of them were captured and eaten. The Torinese were afraid and didn’t dare to confront the horrible beast. What a shame! However in this city, there was a big bull that one day confronted the monstrous devourer of men, with many horn-thrusts, he killed the serpent and freed the city. The bull received many honors and as a way to be publically recognized his image was put on the flag.
Italian version
C’era una volta un gran serpente, di non so quante teste, che abitava nei boschi nei dintorni di Torino ed era il terrore dei viandanti e la desolazione dei cittadini, poiche’ tanti di loro venivano catturati e divorati. I torinesi sbigottiti non osavano affrontare il terrible ammaliatore.
Che gran disgrazia! Pero’ in citta’ c’era un gran toro che un giorno affronto’ il mostruoso divoratore d’uomini e, a forza di cornate lo uccise e libero la citta. Al toro vennero fatti grandi onori e in segno di riconoscenza la sua immagine fu rappresentata nello stemma.

Second Legend:
In Taurasia, the ancient name of the city of Torino, the population was oppressed by a dragon that lived in the countryside. The farmers, because of fear, did not cultivate the fields and because of this food became scarce, and the inhabitants of the village became hungry and thirsty and had to take refuge in their houses. The desperation increased.
One day a farmer decided to use his thinking cap and separated his bull from the rest of the herd, to this bull he gave a strange red liquid: Wine!
The bull, after drinking his wine, was infuriated and started running around looking for an adversary with which to fight. And the adversary came. The bull advanced with full fury and with his sharp horns he ravaged the dragons’ belly. The bull wasn’t afraid at all when the dragon countered. The fight was long, terrible, truly legendary. The twilight showed the two enemies without life upon the path. The bull won, but with this victory he paid his life. The inhabitants of Taurasia the Torinese thankful for the victory of the bull, to commemorate the event decided the symbol of their village would be the image of their bull. This is why Torino’s flag features the bull.

Italian version
A Taurasia, antico nome della citta’ di Torino, la popolazione era oppressa da un drago che viveva nelle campagne. I contadini lo temevano e non coltivavano piu’ I campi; a causa di cio’ il cibo scarseggiava e gli abitanti del villaggio soffrivano la fame, la sete ed erano costretti a rifugiarsi nelle loro case.
La disperazione aumentava.
Un giorno un contadino decise di usare l’astuzia per risolvere il problema: condusse le mucche nella stalla, mentre al toro diede da bere una strana bevanda rossa: il vino.
Il toro, dopo aver bevuto il vino, si infurio’ e si mise a correre cercando un avversario co cui sfogarsi. E l’avversario venne. Il toro avanzo’ con ferocia e, con le sue corna appuntite colpi’ il drago in pieno petto. Il toro non si spavento’ affatto quando il drago cotrattacco’ la lotta fu lunga, terribile, veramente leggendaria. Il tramonto mostro’ i due nemici che giacevano senza vita sul sentiero. Il toro aveva vinto, ma con la vittoria era arrivata la morte. Gli abitanti di Taurasia, i Taurisci, compiaciuti per la vittoria del loro toro e per ricordare l’avvenimento, decisero che a simbolo del loro villaggio fosse posta l’immagine virile del toro ed e’ per questo che nello stemma di Torino appare il toro.

December Already!

Stepping into the painting... I can hear the soft wind stirring the trees, and the sound of the bells on the horses' harnesses, and the snow muffled clip clop of their hooves. I smell the scent of freshly cut pine tree sap, and the fresh mountain air. The sun is shining on the distant peaks, but not in the valley where I am. Ah. A walk in the snowy mountains sounds refreshing!
But enough day-dreaming! I have a list to make.
I have always been a list maker, if not a list follower. Writing a list helps me to feel organized and navigate more efficiently through the day.
Here is my To Do List for today:
Christmas decorations up? Check!
Nativity scene up? Check!
Christmas tree up? Check!
( Ok, I confess, the whole family did this last week-end, but it is always so much nicer to start a list with some of the things already crossed off!)
Wash the dishes...
Clean the house...
Laundry...
Iron shirts...
Walk the dog...
Then after the boys arrive home from school-
Prepare lunch...
Continue with the laundry...
Help with homework...
Shopping for tonight's dinner and meals for the week-end...
Re-arrange the office furniture...
Walk the dog...
Prepare dinner...
Relax with the family!
If you noticed in the above list, I mentioned re-arranging the office. It is because we will have guests visiting us! They are our dear friends from Nevada, whom I knew before I ever had children. We are so excited that they are coming, and can't wait to show them the things about Torino and Italy that we love. They are down-to-earth kind of people, and I am sure they wouldn't mind sleeping on our living room sofa/bed, and being awakened early in the morning by bouncing boys and a dog! (Well, not too much!) But I know how it feels if you are jet-lagged and need a quiet place to crawl off to and take a nap. So we are making small changes in our office to turn it into a bedroom.
I have a lot to do today, and here I sit typing! Time to get started! Who else out there is a list maker/follower?
Happy Friday!

Move Over Mamma...

...There's a new chef in the house!

Matthew made our dinner tonight. He is becoming quite persistent in asking to cook. He says he would like to be a chef when he grows up. I won't say no to the help! He was quite chatty tonight while cooking, insisting on mixing, frying, layering, and grating the cheese. The only thing he allowed me to do was to cut the onions.

Happy Feet!

Aren't kids great? They have their own beds... but, "Y'know, it is always so much nicer to smell someone else's feet while you drift off to sleep!"

"It is also nice to fall asleep with a puppy on your lap."

"And best of all, is having the puppy wake you up to go play!"