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Ascoli, I have arrived!!!

The last couple days in Trapani were great.  We met a group of fun Italians which gave me a chance to really converse.  I didn’t know how isolated Sicily is from the rest of Italy – we were some of the first Americans these kids had ever met!  It’s definitely an entirely different culture there, and one that I enjoyed experiencing.  But we all know where I was really itching to go – Ascoli!

Before getting to any Promised Land, one has to make a long and hard journey.  This was no different.  First was the bus to a Greek temple - which was nice and all but there were mozzarella balls waiting for me at Pub Murphy’s so my eyes were on a different prize.  After that, bus to airport.  After that, flight from Palermo to Rome.  Three hour bus ride to Ascoli Piceno.  We finally got there around 10:30 at night and I made it to my post at Murph’s at 10:41.  Surprisingly, the piazza was still going strong at that time!   There are a lot of festivals during the summer and groups were practicing flag twirling while my roommates and I enjoyed our drinks and food.  With all that going on and reuniting with the Murphy Crew, I was on cloud nine. 

I went to sleep not thinking of the little bugs that are taking over our apartment, but of all the fun I’m going to have this month. 

Waking up was possibly even better than arriving in Ascoli for two reasons: 1. I was already there! and 2. BREAKFAST!!! I had told a couple people about my favorite place, Bar Lori, and by the time I got to the fountain to meet the people I told, about 3/4ths of the program were there ready to follow me to nutella cornetti and cappuccini.  It obviously did not disappoint. 

I got to learn about the program I’ll be doing here, which was very interesting.  Instead of traditional classes I’ll be translating a document about a nearby fortress and working with a tourism company.  It’s intimidating to think about but I’m always up for a challenge!

During a break (while all the other kids talked about their nutrition classes) I ran over to Faby’s hair place to say hello to the most fabulous Ascolana ever.  And being so fabulous, she immediately sat me down and curled my travel-tragic hair.  Have I mentioned that she’s fabulous and the best?

And then…. The moment that made my heart race all night like a kid before Christmas… I got to go to Cavallino’s and squeeze my Italian Mamma and Pappa.  UGH!  It was euphoric.  They knew I would be in Ascoli in July but not the day, so I got to surprise them and received a thousand kisses.  Though I knew darn well that we were doing a group lunch, I couldn’t help but slam a piece of Margherita. 

Tonight I am introducing a new group of girls to Murphy’s and Mozz Balls… I should probably be getting a commission. 

Being back is amazing, simple as that.  I poured one vino bianc for the homies who couldn’t make it (looking at you, Mere and Kels…), but I can’t ponder that too long.  Have to enjoy the moment!  Enjoy the quaintness and beauty and culture and food and the PEOPLE.  And enjoy sharing a town so much with people who have not experienced it yet.  And have to work on staying healthy and hydrated.  My body is in no way used to this type of heat, and it’s been hard adjusting.  Hopefully it’ll get better though.

That’s all for now.  If anyone needs me, I’ll be at Murph’s.