A Perfectly Perfect Pal

Someone once said, “How do you know a blogger is having fun? When she’s too busy dreaming to post.”

I like that.

Unfortunately, dreaming is the only thing I have not been doing…

Working, working, working?? Now, that is more like it. I have to admit, though – I LOVE it. I’ve also been working on a new post with the latest Il Cedro updates. Our new blog site is up and runnin’, since, this being Italy, and our web designer being Italian…we’re still on hold for our official site. Check out the blog, though. We like it!

What I’d really like to talk about today, though, is something much more meaningful than work (although I am not gettin’ gelato on my looks, so work is still a requisite). Today, I’d like to talk about LUV!

And, no – not the cutie, smoozie, woozie kind, but rather, the I’ve-found-a-really-good-friend kind.

A few months ago we held the first Calabrian Women’s Summit in Catanzaro. I was graced with a visit from a great West Virginian-turned-Bovalinoian gal, who, although a member of the Calabrian Women’s trio, is still, sadly, hours away. Rounding out the threesome was the babe from Badolato, affectionatly known by many, as our very own, Sognatice.

She is the reason for this post.

There have been a few other visits and phone calls, and many many more emails since that rainy March weekend when the American gals took over Viale Isonzo – if only in our minds. And, although it may be difficult for many of you to imagine, friendships like this, whether based on general fondness, vicinity, or a final desperate attempt at female companionship, can grow and mature at a far more expeditious rate than what could be considered the norm.

Somehow, in this vast Calabrese land, seemingly devoid of most things American (except, of course, for Paris Hilton, but that is a post for another day) it is comforting to know there is someone else who truly understands my plight. It makes the tough days easier, and the easier days more fun.

Kinda like yesterday! Our resident blog stalker finally made his way to Calabria. Rich and Melissa, who I promise you’ll hear more about later, encouraged a second round take-over for the English speakers when they arrived in the piazza in the “downtown” village of Badolato. Peppe and I met them there, where we were joined for a short time by a north-of-the-border Canadian neighbor. Imagine the sceptical glances we received as we walked through the village proudly exclaiming, “Hey, look at this!” (Snap snap of the camera.) Then, a litle later, “How much farther up this hill, Michelle?!?”

Luckily, half-way through the day, our hike in the heat was rewarded with a delizioso pranzo! Michelle was worried, I believe, how Peppe would react to the cold pasta salad. Three helpings later (with several glasses of homemade vino drained) she was convinced he loved it.

Our beautiful, relaxing, almost-like-a-day-at-home evening ended with limoncello at the main piazza bar in Badolato where I met…guess who?? P! He really does exist! As does, the bella Luna, who, along with her Mommy, hosted a perfectly perfect day!