I don't know where to start. There has been so much. I have never been in a place so new to me with this attitude of appreciation. I am free of myself and most the distractions I've had previously. I love learning this language. I am happy to try and fail and continue to try again.

Oggi I met a man, probably of 70 years, he's been in the business of wine for 45 years and he owns a brand and a vineyard. My new friends taught me about wine. Four men that know wine more than anyone else I've ever met (even you, Dennis, and you, Uncle Sal!) taught me in a language I could have never have had the chance to understand. How fantastic! We were on the port and took a break from photographing. We were at an event with 150 vendors of wine from all over the country. This first man I talked about taught me much. He made sure I tried the best types and understood why they tasted the way they did. He said much but also these things:

"Se mangi male, sentirai male. Se bevi male, sentirai male. Tu devi trovare un posto, un maniera come' un equilibrio. Gli Italiani hanno trovato un equilibrio. Un maniera di vita diversa che tu devi trovare per ti"

"If you eat badly, you will feel bad. If you drink badly, you will feel bad. You must find a place, a manner like an equilibrium. The Italians have found an equilibrium. A different manner of life that you must find for yourself."

"Noi, gli Italiani, siamo diversi di l'uno dall'altro dentro una cultura. In questa stessa maniera i vini dell'Italia sono differente. La clima, le piante, la vita, il processo, le persone - loro fanno il vino. Tutto hanno un effetto."

"Us, the Italians, we are different from each other within one culture. In this same manner the wines of Italia are different. The climate, the plants, the life, the process, the people - they make the wine. All things have an effect."

"Assaggi - non bevi. Solo assaggi."

"You taste - you don't drink. You only taste."

"E' semplice. Mediti. Chiudi i tuoi occhi"

"It is simple. Meditate. Close your eyes."

These things say a lot about what I'm learning here. Non e' importa dove tu sei, sei la stessa persona - It's not important where you are, you are the same person. This has been a great discovery. I can't begin to talk about specific little things I've done. There has been a lot of eating and drinking insieme. Learning in new ways. Watching my boss, Andrea, work and interact with friends and clients. Learning about the ways of the Italian people and seeing a kind side of people. Also, seeing a bit of destitution and the way that it doesn't matter where you are, there is always sadness, loneliness and a lack of perspective. I am happy to be challenged and to learn. I am happy to be with the people I am with. It's a bit of a dream. There is also a lot of the same. People are people. Girls are girls. I just want to have a good summer, but it's going to be great.

I miss Stephanie and wish I could be here with her, but I'll see her soon for more than just a hug and a "Ciao!" - hopefully.

Thank you for teaching me to appreciate cibo, vino, cigars and people. Thank you for teaching me to learn and to look for in others the wisdom that I do not have. There are many people in my life that I have to thank for that and it is now all coming together in another country and in another life. Here, it is easier to be an appreciative and tranquila person. There are more people that want to be happy.

Okay, grazie. I hope you appreciate the pictures. Miss you all. I have love for you all. Thanks for reading. Sorry that I ramble.