A Stop in Verona and A Family Reunion
Along the route to John's first reunion with family we detoured into Verona to see Arena Roma. This arena is only second in size to the Colosseum.
Verona is a beautiful ancient city and is known as the city of love. It was in Verona that Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet. The large piazza and park are surrounded by the arena, and colorful brick and stucco buildings. The time in which this city was built reminds me of how young America is. Our stay was not long, but worth every moment we had.
On to Offlaga (outside of Brescia) which is in farm country; quiet and peaceful in comparison to Verona. As we journeyed closer the excitement and nervousness took over. He was excited to see cousins he has not seen in over twenty years, and I was nervous thinking of the language barrier. I know some Italian words and phrases, but not enough to have a true conversation. I didn't need to worry as his family was very welcoming, and it warmed my heart to see how happy they were to see each other. We spent the afternoon visiting and went out for a nice Italian dinner; food always brings people together. The next day he caught up with more cousins and they shared memories from many years ago. Even without understanding much of what they said, I could pick out certain words and was able to laugh with them.
It was a blessing to have a translator app to help with communication when they wanted to learn a bit more about me. Of course their teenage daughter knew a little bit of English and picked up quickly on the translator; by the time our visit was coming to an end we had shown her parents how to use it. Amazing to have this technology available to us; although we do manage to find a way to understand one another without it.
The joy and happiness felt on arrival turned to bittersweet goodbyes. They all knew this may very well be the last time they will see one another. At least with everyone's current information, and today's technology, they can stay connected easier than in earlier years.
Grazie e arrivederci, alla famiglia. Molto amore per tutti voi.
Verona is a beautiful ancient city and is known as the city of love. It was in Verona that Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet. The large piazza and park are surrounded by the arena, and colorful brick and stucco buildings. The time in which this city was built reminds me of how young America is. Our stay was not long, but worth every moment we had.
On to Offlaga (outside of Brescia) which is in farm country; quiet and peaceful in comparison to Verona. As we journeyed closer the excitement and nervousness took over. He was excited to see cousins he has not seen in over twenty years, and I was nervous thinking of the language barrier. I know some Italian words and phrases, but not enough to have a true conversation. I didn't need to worry as his family was very welcoming, and it warmed my heart to see how happy they were to see each other. We spent the afternoon visiting and went out for a nice Italian dinner; food always brings people together. The next day he caught up with more cousins and they shared memories from many years ago. Even without understanding much of what they said, I could pick out certain words and was able to laugh with them.
It was a blessing to have a translator app to help with communication when they wanted to learn a bit more about me. Of course their teenage daughter knew a little bit of English and picked up quickly on the translator; by the time our visit was coming to an end we had shown her parents how to use it. Amazing to have this technology available to us; although we do manage to find a way to understand one another without it.
The joy and happiness felt on arrival turned to bittersweet goodbyes. They all knew this may very well be the last time they will see one another. At least with everyone's current information, and today's technology, they can stay connected easier than in earlier years.
Grazie e arrivederci, alla famiglia. Molto amore per tutti voi.
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