Of Wines, The Sopranos, and the Italian Language

So, Randy offers helpful Italian (or Italian-like) phrases via The Sopranos (am I really the only person not to have ever seen this show?), and I thought that he and some of the rest of you might be interested in a related event on 10 June [NOTE DATE CHANGE] at Kreston Wine & Spirits, 904 Concord Ave. (Rt. 202), Wilmington. Kreston's is featuring Lorraine Bracco from the Soprano series. Evidently, she has her own label of wines -- Pinot Grigio (I know Dee is smacking her lips!); Amarone; Montepulciano (I'm smacking my lips!); and of course the perennial favorite, Chianti. Bracco lived in Europe for 10 years and learned much about wine-making. So, if anyone is interested, head to Kreston's (though I still prefer the classier Total Wine store!!!), on Wednesday, 11 June, from 5:30-7. As far as learning the Italian language is concerned, well, progress is slow. Brains not what they used to be and time too elusive (or poorly managed?). I'll have to bookmark Dee's website to learn those handy-dandy phrases! One of the Italian language texts we have introduces each chapter with a tongue twister to warm up the vowels and rrrrrolling rrrr's! Here's one that suits our family: "Lucio e Decio lisciano dodici gatti felici." Working on the "ch" sound, this tongue twister translates as "Lucio and Decio pet [literally "stroke"] 12 happy cats." Let's see, for us it would be "Tim e Char lisciano sei gatti felici -- e duo cani felici." (Tim and Char pet 6 happy cats -- and 2 happy dogs.)

Trip Planning & Blog Settings

Okay, so I'm understanding why people in the travel business burn out! It's exhausting investigating and making arrangements: train times, layovers, travel times, list of sights to see, decision-making about what to places to visit and what to see once there. It would be easy if we had "world enough and time" (apologies to Andrew Marvell)! Do you know that even in train-accessible Europe,we can occasionally find ourselves realizing "you can't get there from here," well at least not directly or easily. Just try "Salzburg to Venice" without that 4-hour layover at midnight in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Still I am learning so much about places and travel, just by asking "what if we went there." Most of those "what if's" will remain armchair travel, mind you; nevertheless, the imagined experiences linger, settling comfortably and pleasurably with real ones. Also, this adventure is reinforcing the concept that the world with its varied cultures, arts, history, and geography is the best classroom. No doubt that Emma will learn more this next year than she would if in school.

And one final point to this entry: Since blogging is new to me (at least setting one up is new), please offer any suggestions that make access to posting easier or provide a more efficient layout. "Philadelphia Robin" -- I know you've had experience and can offer good advice. Right now the access is open so that you don't have to have a Google account (free, by the way) to log on; it also means that anyone, not just family & friends, can read and post. I did, however, activate the recommended spam control feature (which is why you have to decipher the wavy text).

Beginnings

As the spring semester and school year draw to a close, the Bunnell-Detwiler family begins preparing to live in Italy for several months. Tim and Char are teaching American study abroad students through the CIMBA program at Paderno del Grappa, and daughters Abbey (19) and Emma (11) will be studying there as well. We are very excited to experience the culture of Italy, to travel, and to meet new friends. The to-do list is extensive before we leave on 25 August! The top item -- learn Italian!