Blog 613 – 04.25.2017

A Taste Of Italy

I do not know for sure if I have any Italian ancestry but as my dad used to joke my grandpas did get around so it is possible. I think one of the silliest things that God supposedly said in the Bible is, “Be fruitful and multiple.” I mean after all She/He created us with this urge to merge so in my twisted mind only a guy could have put those words in God’s mouth. Seems like a waste of breath to me. But I wander from my point about Italy though it must be said that Italy’s beautiful women have inspired that urge to merge in many and that U.S. soldiers in particular brought back many beautiful Italian war brides and probably left more than a few babies behind during World War II. Small wonder that much of the world especially where we have fought thinks of us as, “Ugly Americans.”

I had the wonderful privilege to work in Italy for four weeks some years ago and the beautiful picture I post with today’s blog I took in Venice on a day trip that I took there by train from Ravenna, Italy on my only day off during that assignment. Four hours up and four hours back but it was worth every minute and every mile to see Venice with my own eyes. Thousands of people had the same idea for Venice was packed with tourists. I took the picture after stealing away from the crowd down a quieter street to have a quick bite to eat and a soda under a tree from where I could see one of the canals.

A couple of years ago I met an Italian lady and she introduced me to all but two of her seven sisters and also to her daughters and grand children. I love Italian people and feel very fortunate for the touch of Italy in my life. Leo Buscaglia, also known as “The doctor of love” wrote several books about growing up in a loving Italian family. Like Dr. Leo I am a hugger and one of my recent triumphs was getting a shy little guy to hug me after I had dinner with his family in their home. His mom and dad told me that he was pretty shy with strangers when I first got there and I said that I too was shy as a boy. I was miserably shy throuhout my childhood and I make it my mission to draw shy people out. My modus operandi? Oh, that’s easy, I just love them so many ways that I am bound to find one that they like and that draws them out a bit. That is the secret to making friends of any age, in or from any country. And no body does that better than Italians. They didn’t really need the Roman Army to conquer most of the known world. They could have done it easier and quicker with their love and great food which both will win you over if you give either half a chance,

And it is the love in an Italian mother’s cooking that keeps you coming back for more and a crowd always around her table. My hat is off to the Italians today and I am so grateful for the touch and taste of Italy in my life. I could say the same for the Irish, the Scots, the British, the French, Palestinians Israelis, Germans, Swiss, Greeks, Egyptians, Nigerians, Mexicans, Russians and every other nationality too. But today, my Italian friends, this blog is for you.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White