Do Not Enter Unless You Are Here For The Morning Service

Thomas finally made it to Venice today! He saw lots of old churches, shops, and statues. But, I think the highlight of the day was when he interrupted a Catholic church service. He walked into one of the old churches and completely missed the sign that said, "do not enter unless you are here for the morning service." When he walked in he said everyone turned around and looked straight at him. He said that before entering the Catholic church you are supposed to kneel and do the sign of the cross (not sure if that's what it is called, it's the hand motion for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). So, that is exactly what he did; he knelt down, did the sign of the cross and then sat himself down in a pew. He said he didn't want to look like a stupid American who didn't know what he was doing. After he did all this and sat down everyone turned back around. Then, after about 5 minutes of listening to the service, he sneaked back out of the church.

The Three Basic Essentials: Family, Friends, and Food

Thomas didn't get to go to Venice today. He got the wrong kind of train ticket. So, he is going tomorrow. But, I do have some more stories to tell...

Thomas' Adopted Family

Do you remember the old Italian man I told you that Thomas met who owns a restaurant? Well, he is still very fond of "Tamas". First of all, to clarify, this man is probably not that "old." Thomas said that he (and most Italians) smoke. So, he really doesn't know how old he is. He said he just looks kind of old. He has a daughter between the ages of about 7 and 10 so surely he isn't as old as he looks. But, you never know these days. Anyway, the man's wife has been helping Thomas with his Italian while he eats and Thomas always has to say goodbye to the Italian man. One evening it was very busy in there and Thomas told the wife goodbye and she told him to wait right there. She then went back to the kitchen and Thomas heard, "dalalalnan roalalake Tamas!" Then, next thing he knows, the man is coming out with his arms wide open for a hug goodbye yelling, "Tamas!" Thomas told his wife that he would have come in and ate the night before, but that they looked very busy. The wife's response was, "Oh no, next time you come in. We will find room for you. You eat with us!" Thomas says he doesn't know how this man does it. He said his kitchen is smaller than my moms and if you know how much my mom complains about how small her kitchen is then this statement should make sense. :)

New Friends  

Thomas tells me that Gretchen and I will get along very well. His reasoning? Because we are apparently exactly alike. Hahahaha :) 

Market, Wine Shops, and Food, Oh my!

 Thomas says there are markets with all sorts of fresh vegetables and many wine shops. Him and his hotel roommate ate at a McDonalds. They were curious to see how alike or different it was from the American ones. Thomas said there was only one thing he saw on the menu that was the same as in America and that was the Big Mac. He got something called the Royal Deluxe. He said it was a hamburger with fresh tomatoes and lettuce (fresher tasting than American) and was delicious! He says as soon as we have a place to live he is buying a grill! I told Thomas that I was writing a blog now, so he says, "Well, I wasn't planning on telling you this, but it would probably be a funny story for your blog." When he went out to eat with the couple that I met through a friend he ordered what they normally order. He said he had this pear pasta which was almost like pear filled dumplings and absolutely delicious! He has had steak and salad. Well, the salads have dressing that consist of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. He said they don't know what ranch is. So, as he is eating his salad he comes across something that looks like a little tomato to him covered in balsamic vinegar. Naturally, he eats it. At this point he realizes that this little morsel is most definitely not a tomato. He immediately asks Gretchen what it is. She starts laughing and tells him that it is HOGS FAT!!!!!! Apparently, a common ingredient in their salads over there. Thomas said it was sort of different tasting and that if it was just on his fork with the rest of his salad he would eat it, but if it was the end of the salad and that's all that was left he would not touch it. Thomas has also eaten at a pizzeria. He said it is so neat because they cook the pizzas in an old brick oven like you would see on TV.

Becoming one with the Italians

I will give my husband this. No matter where he goes he makes a friend and makes quite an impression. Background on this: (1) We go to the airport and he asks the person there 20 questions, makes them laugh, and it looks like they have been friends forever. (2) I go back to our old apartment the other day to see if they will unlock our old mailbox so I can make sure we haven't missed any important mail. The lady asks me my old apartment number, I say, "193-B." Her immediate response is, "Ohhh Thomas! He always gave me a hard time" I just shake my head, laugh, and think, "yep, that's my husband." Now back to present time in Italy. Thomas goes into a restaurant he has never been before. Somehow mingles with this old Italian man who owns the place. The man continues to talk and share lots of wine with him and his little girl shows Thomas her magic tricks. Thomas comes in to eat there the next night and the man greets Thomas by opening his arms and yelling.."Tamas!!!!!" (Trying to spell it like the Italian man said it, hahahaha). So, Thomas is adjusting well I think. Of course, I'd like to think that he misses me. ;) Heehee. He has had dinner with people I think will become new/good friends. He has a hotel roommate who is also married and tonight they both spent the evening talking to their wives on the phone. Hahahahaha! OH and we both have global droids and use the skype mobile application to talk on the phone to each other and its FREE because we are basically skyping from phone to phone instead of computer to computer (no video though). So, that is a good thing. Definitely better than Afghanistan. Tomorrow he will tour Vicenza some more and Saturday he is going to Venice. He said I would love downtown Vicenza...lots of little shops and neat architecture. I am really getting excited. :)

Thomas arrives in Vicenza

Thomas arrived in Venice around 10:00 am (Italian time). He was put on a shuttle to Vicenza and once he was there he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 503rd. I was introduced to a friend of friend who had a friend who is stationed in Vicenza with her husband on Facebook a few months back. Thomas ran into her at work and they have already arranged a time to meet up for dinner. He will do in processing for the next two weeks. A big part of me wishes I were there with him. I miss him so much and I am somewhat jealous that I can't be a part of the adventure yet. But another part of me is thankful to have a few more months with my family.