May 30, 2010
The morning was truly a lazy one: we had breakfast, then lounged around until lunch. Federico was working again this morning (the eighth day in a row), and Nico had worked the night before, so we didn't see my cousins until just before lunch, though my aunt was around, busy puttering in the garden, then preparing our lunch.
We - zia Lina, Federico, Nico, Federica, Derek, the girls, and I - ate outside under the hot sun and chatted away half the afternoon, telling silly stories, teasing each other, and laughing.
When it had cooled down a bit, Nico and Federica took us to a donkey and mule refuge, which the children really enjoyed. We got lost going up there, and on the way down, Nico was nearly out of gas and there were no gas stations in sight, and we were late for our rendezvous with my aunt for supper. And all these situations did was fuel our laughter. Federica and Nico have been great company and lots of fun. Despite the language barriers, or perhaps because of them, we have had lots of laughs, and we've gotten to know each other quite a bit over a week. As Federica said, it's like we've known each other our whole lives, even though we only met once before, and that ten years ago, but it feels so comfortable, as though we had just seen one another last week.
And after a few bumps in the road, it felt the same with Federico. Last time I visited, we went out two or three evenings in a row, just the two of us, and I got to know him a little more personally. This time, I'm a wife and a mom, so that wasn't really possible, but we did find ourselves friends again.
Our last supper was at zia Lina's brother's pizza place. This time we were joined by a couple of friends, and my aunt's nephew, Luca, for whom I had translated the English lyrics to his favourite songs during my last trip, who joined us after dinner with his fiancée. We all visited and laughed more and were all reluctant to leave.
We finally said our goodbyes, to acquaintances, and then to Federica, whom we won't see again before we go home. It was tearful on all sides; she and Nico hope to come to visit in the next couple of years, and until then there is email, though it's not quite the same as hanging out and watching her play with my girls and seeing the three of them get by on Federica's limited French and the girls' elementary Italian.
Derek and the girls drove home with my aunt and I hitched a ride with Federico. He and I got to chat like we did once, a lifetime ago, it seems.
My aunt's nextdoor neighbours came by, by this time after 11 pm, to say goodbye and buon viaggio. We also gave our last goodbyes to Federico since he'll be leaving early in the morning to work near Milan this week.
I've always hated goodbyes, and saying goodbye to relatives whom I may not see for another decade, when we will once again be in a completely different stage in life, is nearly impossible. So instead of thinking about it, I'll pack up and look forward to routine and to the pleasure of sleeping in my own bed.
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