Mirandola: The Vista of Italy

I want to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving. I really miss home right now, and I’m sure it will only get worse come Christmas (not x-mas, aye Mark?) They asked me about the meaning of Thanksgiving here in Italy, and I had to tell them that I THINK it has something to do with the original 13 colonies and a great feast of friendship with the Indians (or Native Americans, to be more politically correct). I just checked Wikipedia, and I was close enough…

So, it’s been a week now and things are going great at work here in Mirandola (pronounced Mir-an’dola). I am spending roughly 6 hours a day, 5 days a week hanging out with 2 kids (Federico, 13 and Nicolo, 14) speaking/correcting their English (often the parents too). I give 2 lessons a week, where they read and then write to me. They have given me a two bedroom apartment on the third floor of a building a block away, fully furnished with a balcony that has a view of an old (but small) Italian castle and part of the city. Mirandola is a small city, but it has a familiar touch. I would love to call it the ‘Vista of Italy,’ albeit a mite colder, hehe.

The father who met me at Bologna station is named Stefano and reminds me of Tony Soprano, he is big and friendly but very dominant in demeanor. He is a tax attorney and his wife, Eugenia is a pharmacist. Together, I gather that they are a pretty wealthy family in the city. We live right in the town center, amidst everything (which is nice). I feel that I can now say that I have eaten ‘true Italian,’ rather than the typical tourist-oriented cuisine (although I’ll never forget that pizza in Napoli). I have had many types of pasta, wine and desert, everything out here… but it’s too much to go into. It’s all so nice and everything seems to be working out. BTW, if you’ve had bologna meat then I have to tell you that this IS where bologna comes from- only here it’s called ‘mortadella’ but really it’s the same thing as bologna except that it’s better. Just this night we had ‘zampone’ which is pigs foot and ‘Lambrusco’ which is local wine from Modena except that it was frizzante (sparkling), and I hate wine with carbonation, bleh.

There is a local 15th century church with a sword stuck in the spire a few blocks away. According to Freddy, there is a legend that there was a big fight between two knights back in the day and afterwards the victor stuck the enemies’ sword into the spire. It’s really cool, I didn’t have my camera at the time but I will ask him to take me there again so I can post a pic.

I don’t know how much of a social life I will have here, but I might have a friend swing by at some point if she is able. Also, I may take a weekend to visit Milan, or go skiing somewhere this winter. Maybe I will do that for Christmas, I’m not sure.

I acknowledge that I am extremely fortunate thus far and, as usual I love and appreciate you all. You guys are after all… the other end of my umbilical cord. Pictures of my accomodation are below. Happy Thanks~