Tuscania, Tuscania, Tuscania!

My favorite view in the city!

Yes...that is MY house!

The foyer when you first walk into the house.

La cuchina: the most important room!

The terrace where we eat dinner sometimes, and where they grow all of their herbs, tomatoes, and strawberries.

Today is the day that I finally get to see Tuscania!  It is bittersweet, because I really dont want to leave Rome yet, but I am soo anxious to meet my host family and see this little town.  We got on the bus and had to detour to the airport to pick up Brittni's luggage.  She was one of my roommates in Rome, and her luggage got mixed up and had not come yet so we went to pick it up.  I fell asleep for a few minutes, and when I woke up, I could not believe my eyes.  We were driving through the Italian countryside, and the views were incredible!  I started to get nervous when I saw the signs for Tuscania, because I knew we were close.  I felt so nervous that I wouldnt be able to communicate with my host family because of the language barrier and I just didnt know what to expect.  But thats why this trip has been so fun so far--no expectations.   We were driving through Tuscania, which is adorable.  It is a small, quaint, typical Italian village where everyone knows everyone, and the city itself is beautiful.  The van stopped and Irene said, "Ok, this is your house."  My first thoughts "Shut the front door, this is not MY house!"  I don't even know how to describe it, other than perfect.  I was greeted at the front door by Manuela, my host mom.  If you were to look up Italian mother/housewife her picture would be the definition. haha  She was wearing her apron as she was already preparing lunch for us, and she started to give us a tour of the house.  The entrance way has a big stone arch, with Marble floors and old furniture.  The house has been in her family for 3 generations.  The only room on the first floor is the kitchen.  The second floor is where their living room is, and their kids, Oleania and Patrizio's bedrooms. "Ole" is 18 and Patrizio is 23.  I'll meet them later.  THe communication barrier is pretty large since I know only a few words in Italian and Manuela knows zero english, but through a lot of gesturing and pointing, we are working through it.  I got to the third floor where my room is, and it is so nice.  I have a bedroom, bathroom, and office on my floor and I can see the main city from my windows.  Again, I felt like I was in a movie when i walked into my room and threw open the shutters and all I can see is Italy!  I went down to lunch which she said was "just a quick little something" and was greeted by 8 more people and a full Italian feast. haha  Irene and Mei were there from the school, and Ilaria (Manuela and Felice's oldest daughter) and her husband, Giusseppe, and Felice and Patrizio were home from work for lunch and Oleania home from school.  It was so fun!  Manuela served the first course, Risotto with ragu and we all started to eat. Everyone was talking and eating, and it was just fun (even though it was all in Italian so Irene had to help translate a little bit).  After about 45 minutes, I thought we were done, and then Manuela got up and pulled out huge pan from the oven. Roasted chicken!  And potatoes that were OMG delicioso.  Then we had Cherry crostada and cherries (cilliege) and sat there talking for a long time.  I think that is the best meal I have ever eaten in my life.  If I could choose my last meal, that would probably be it. It was unbelievable.  BUT, after lunch, Manuela apologized for the lunch and said that she didnàt have a lot of time that day, and was sorry she didnt do her best for us!  WHAT?!  I cannot even imagine what her best cooking is if that was her worst, but I am excited to find out :)  Then Felice explained how everything we ate was from their farm.  The beef from their cows, the sausage from their pigs, their chicken, their vegetables and fruit, etc.  They even make their own Ricotta (which was also part of dessert)!  I unpacked and settled in later, and then we had an Orientaion dinner with the school at a local restaurant with all of the American students and some of the "locals" so we could practice Italian (which I need to learn....fast).  It was delicious of course, and I watched some TV with the family (thankfully they put on English subtitles) and went to bed.     Friday morning I had breakfast with Manuela (she made cappucinos and biscotti and yogurt that they made at their farm) and then I went to the park, and sat writing in my journal looking up a tthe most beautiful view of Tuscania. I still cant believe I'm here, and I have some adjusting to do, but I can't  wait to see what is to come, since it's only been a few days and I love it!  We had orientation at the school, went to the Friday market in the historic center, got a tour of the city, and just explored.  I went back for lunch with the family and then hung out with Oleania and their little cousins, Georgio and Elisa (3 and 5--so cute!)  Everyone came back over for dinner which we ate outside on their terrace.  They weren't kidding when they told us that they take a long time for dinner.  We sat outside talking and eating for almost 4 hours!  I am already learning a lot of words, so I can't wait to see how much i know when Im done with the five weeks!