Persone (pear-so-nay) – People

            …..seriously today was made just so so great by the run I completely had to force myself to go on….(thank goodness I finished the season of Greys that Shebs sent me or else I totally wouldn’t have gone J)…so I took off on a late afternoon run with intentions of getting all the way up the river to Valentino Park, which ended up being just barely passed where I ran to the last time…..it was wonderful outside too….i think there is a storm brewing out there because it was crisp and cool outside and just really wonderful J….i took off, stopping occasionally to watch people or sneakily take pictures of adorable people….as I was running a saw a group of older Italian men playing bocce, but I had just barely started along the river so I didn’t stop for long and just took off J…

            …when I was finally along the river, it was right before quitting time for most people at work, so it was still pretty quiet out along the path, so it was really nice….saw a few people biking or walking home from work, and around the time I turned around more and more people were out and about….i finally got to Valentino Park and boy was it fantastic J….I don’t know how I never knew it was so wonderful and close to me J….when I got right into the park I was right at the base of the castle that sits in it…..its an amazing medieval castle that is now like an art museum or something…..no matter, there are some cool little shops in the bottom…..i totally loved it!

            ….and the park around it was lovely as well, especially since everything is really starting to green up and grow a ton here, the parks are striking J…..there is even a great big fountain in the park too J….there were so many people out and about this evening, eating gelato, walking dogs, or just even just enjoying the afternoon J….

           

…as I started back the people really started coming out…..passed a man out fishing, singing to himself as well of course….then a much older man riding his bike, he is literally the cutest little old man, but man he is SO fast on that bike! I can never get a picture of him!....then finally, when I was almost back to the bridge that crosses over the autostrada to the side of the road where my school and my house is, I stopped to pick some dandelions (for my mum of course)….and realized that I was back by the old men playing bocce…

            …so of course I did my beste to not look like I was stalking them or creeping, but sat on a bench nearby and just watched and tool a couple of pictures from afar….and also was just gathering all the bravery that I could muster to walk over, and talk to them……it took a good 15 minutes, but I DID IT! (seriously I am SO proud of myself!)…..I walked over to one of the men who was sitting on his own bench (there were two other benches, one with 2 men, one with 3, and then about 4 or 5 men playing)….I walked up, and since I couldn’t think of any other way to open a conversation (given my language restraints, and ya know, my mustered bravery)…I asked what they were playing (also to make sure it was also called bocce here)….he told me, and asked if I knew what it was, I told him that I did and that my dad and papa had taught me, back in the US, and then we talked about how I was American, and was studying at SAA here in Turin….the entire thing in Italian!....we talked for about 15 or so minutes until they were finished playing….it was so so so wonderful!.....

            ….it was another one of those awesome moments, when you truly feel like a good traveler….even more so, a resident….ahh…I was so high on happiness and pride, I don’t think I stopped smiling for the rest of the run back home…..THEN when I got back to the house, Paula (Ely’s mom) was here and I had an entire conversation with her in Italian and she told me that my speaking has gotten so much better! J it was wonderful J….

in case you were wondering, italian dogs always
want to be as far from their owners as possible!
..this one just laid down during a walk :)..

            …man today was truly a great day overall J….i think I did really well on my culture test today (which always makes you feel a little uneasy in itself), watched some Greys, when for a fantastic run, and packed for this weekend’s adventure…..tomorrow, after class, I am off to Milan by bus, to catch a flight to Brussels, Belgium, to meet up with Natalie (who has been there with a class trip to visit the EU), spend the night and then Friday morning we are off to Prague for the weekend!....i am totally excited! This was never a place that was on my list, but since I have been studying here, I have been hearing what an amazing place it is, and how it truly has become a must visit place…..and I get to go visit it with Natalie, who studied there for a semester two years ago J….so this should be a really cool weekend….I am totally excited JJ J….well I return to  Torino Monday evening, so until Tuesday friends….Buon Weekend!!