Week of Good Eats and Thinking of Home While on the Road

Tuesday we had yet another easy day. I can’t believe how down the bookings are. Everyone has been fighting the winter chest cold. Tom Tom got very confused and it took us quite a while to get to Costa Masnaga, near Lecco. Had a quiet evening in the little town. Just stayed in, in our crappy little room - with the window that overlooked/smelled a plumbing construction project. However, the B&B was slightly redeemed by the kick ass breakfast spread. Scrambled eggs, fruit, meat, cheese yummm. After we did our show we drove into the mountains to Sondro. The scenery was beautiful. The sun set pink over the mountain when laura and I went out for a drink. We then went back to the hotel where Chris had been sleeping (the current victim of the chest cold). We all had a fun evening in, doing our own dubbing to an Italian soap opera and then training together. Did 200 leg lifts. Laura and I also want to be able to do the splits before the X-Mas holiday. I think we can do it. The next day we performed in Sondrio and then drove the two and a half hours back to the flat in Milano. We went to Carrafear, a HUGE grocery store with a mall attached to it. I bought groceries and Chris helped me cook a big thanksgiving meal, which ended up half thanksgiving half Sunday roast - but it was VERY taste. Garlic bread and cheese for starters. Then mashed potatoes, gravy, steamed veggies, sweet potato, stuffing, and chicken (Laura is a veg so we figured turkey would be a bit much, although it may have been the toughest chicken I ever had..but everything else was good). After dinner and desert, Vientto (ice cream), I skyped some family, I went to a bar down the street and listened to some lovely Jazz. Figured it was a good American thing to do. Chris and Laura had planned to join me but by the time I was leaving they both were feeling sick and just wanted to go to bed. It was my first Thanksgiving without Americans. However, while I was at the bar I met the bartender the others had told me about from New York. I wished her happy thanksgiving and then told her who I was. It was nice to hear a familiar accent and it turns out that her daughter is going to Simons Rock, the Bard high school program that my brother Eli went to for a year. SUPER small world. It was nice to make a friend. The next day we woke up early to brave the Milano traffic to Pantigliate, which is about half an hour from the flat. We had our first snow and everything was white and beautiful, except for the hour and forty five minuets of bumper to bumper traffic. We were in touch with the teacher, but couldn’t get a hold of her to figure out how to get inside the school which, in the city, is surrounded by a huge gate. The performances were less then best, and I think a lot of kids were more interested in the snow then telling me they thought that Prince Yoseff really loves my daughter Aisha? Or how many bananas were in my hand? The kids seemed more pleased in the workshops after and it was an okay day. We drove home, slowly, and then I spent the afternoon relaxing. I went for a drink with Chris and then spent the rest of the evening home talking to Vic. Saturday, all of the ladies slept in, had brunch and then went shopping in Milan together. I set off for a little while on my own to buy some proper running sneakers and ended up getting seduces by an AMAZING pair of doe colored knee high boots. All five of us ladies met back up at duomo, where they were still protesters against the education cutbacks. So after our journey home the ladies had a night out with our new boots (Vic and Laura also bought a pair). Went to 1902 for 60’s and 70’s night and then got a ride to the Irish bar where we ran into some Italian friends of Laura and Helen from last year. Got invited to a little party back at one of their houses and didn’t make it home till the wee hours of the morning. Sunday, Laura and I were invited to a football game in Milano but last minuet we couldn’t get tickets so just ended up having an easy day at the flat. Went for a jog, packed and set off for Motta di Livenza with Chris and Vic. So now I’m the only original member of Team Awesome. Laura and Vic swapped for the week, so Vic could have a break from long workshops, which is what Team Brilliant is doing all this week and so Laura and Helen could spend time together. Three weeks until my X-Mas holiday. Jack, may be leaving two weeks early so he can do his physical therapy in England. Katie, Helen, and Laura are thinking about staying on until May and Chris is pretty sure he will leave after X-Mas. I am so fond of all the ladies I really hope they stay. Honestly, we haven’t all been getting on. Working together is difficult, touring is difficult, but then having to go home to a teny tiny flat with the same people doesn’t really allow a lot of time to breath and for people to get some time away from one another. There is a range of emotional maturities in the company, and I think mixing up the groups has helped but I think this certainly isn’t the ideal job for everyone here, and I can understand why people wouldn’t chose to return for another five months. I will miss everyone in their own way, some more then others, but I do feel like everyone here has directly or played a part in all the learning I’ve done. I do indeed feel very lucky to have had this group as they have all taught me so much - about being in the moment, honesty, judgment, and affections with a healthy excursive in patients and empathy. Over all I am having a great time and I have learned a lot about myself outside the university setting where there is no one to make me do anything or holding my hand through a process. I sourly miss my friends and family at home and wish I was better about keeping in touch, but am very greatful as well for the new friends, and in a way family, I am making here.

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