Day 1

It was a two hour bus drive to Carpi, but once we got there, Paolo and Nellina were the first people I saw. They are so welcoming and nice! Paolo knows a lot more English than Nellina, but they both try really hard to understand me, and I try hard to understand them. I think we will all get along great! I told them that I know more Spanish than Italian and they said that that would help us some too.
The scenery here is beautiful! Carpi is a small, kinda old town, but it is beautiful! Paolo and Nellina have already asked when I want to go to Ravena, told me about a festival going on Friday and a free marathon that I can run in before I leave! I can tell that they want  me to have a good experience here!
As soon as Paolo and Nellina picked me up, we stopped by the gelateria and picked up gelato to bring home. We then came home and had lunch. It was just a light rice salad thing with ham, olives, corn, cheese and olive oil, and of course, there was bread on the side. After we finished lunch, I gave them the presents that I brought-- Clemson t-shirts, an US Army hat for Paolo and Necklace for Nellina. They loved them! Then they brought me upstairs to meet Nonna (grandma) and Giulia. Giulia is the cutest little girl ever! When I first met her, she came to me with open arms! She loved the play doh I bought her-- we played with it for a long time.. By the end of the night she was calling me "mia tat" (my nanny). Hearing her talk in Italian is the absolute cutest thing!
After that, I got settled into my room and they let me nap for a while, then we went to the grocery store. I was amazed, and I could tell that they must have thought I was crazy for oohing and aahing at a super market-- but it was so different! Basically, it is a mall with a Wal-Mart inside! The bakery and deli part of the store smelled so good! Paolo kept asking me if I prefer this or that, and I just kept saying "No lo so" (I don't know) or 'Non ho preferenze" (I have no preference). I want to try everything while I am here!
When we got home, we had dinner (Cantaloupe melon with sliced prosciutto on top--amazing!) then went to the piazza. Wow--it is beautiful!  There is the old palace (on the left side of the picture on the right), and the buildings in the piazza, I think, are the same buildings that have been there for hundreds of years! It is so amazing to live in a place with such a strong history!

 So far, I love it here in Italy. I cannot wait to experience all that waits for me!

Here are pictures of the view from my room. Not exactly what you would expect, but were are in the city, so no rolling hills in view from here. It is a nice street, though!