Easter Sunday

Today Suzanne, Rich, and I woke up to go to Sunday mass. The church was so small and cute. Mass was about an hour long which isn't bad at all for Easter mass. The choir was very good and sang a new song about every two minutes. We got their early so we were able to get a seat because by the time mass started there were a lot of people standing in the back. It was really interesting sitting through a mass in Italian. I can't understand very much but there are words that are very similar to Spanish which I do understand and parts of
                                                   

                                             

I gotta mention the cutest old lady ever in church. She was in the choir wearing a black fur coat and all dressed up and was so tiny singing in choir. She reminded me of an old lady in my church at home that used to dress up so elegant and sing so loud, the only problem is she was toned deaf. Mom I know you know who I'm talking about!
After mass we went to get Dan and went out to lunch. Here I got another pizza, I have to eat it all up while I'm here! No other pizzas in the world like here. The restaurant etiquette is very different here. Once the waiters sit you at your table it is a while before they take your order or give you your bread. Sometimes they will give you your bread and not come back for 5 more minutes with the oil and vinegre. Leaving you waiting is a common theme. But I think here people or more relaxed about it, not looking to just get in and out of a restaurant. Once you've ordered the turn around time for your food to come is extremely fast. It's almost surprising. However once you have finished and your plate is cleared it can be a half an hour until the waiter brings your check. Three times we have had to ask for our check and the waiter has always looked at us funny and just laughed. I know in their heads they're thinking "stupid Americans". I'm not sure how we are supposed to get our check though I'd we don't ask. Today after our meal we waited over 30 min for the check, it was nice because we were all relaxing and chatting but if we never asked I don't know if we would have ever gotten the bill. Maybe there is some gesture or signal, I don't know.

I'm so thankful for being able to travel like this, grow and mature, and experience other cultures. I do miss my family incredibly on this Easter Sunday though.