Pages

Friday, June 30, 2006

Ciao bella!


I'm standing on the subway platform waiting for the train. A voice behind me says, "Forza Italia!"

I turn around and a young man is smiling at me.

"Your soccer necklace," he says, pointing at my backpack. "You are Italian?"

"Sometimes," I say, and we both laugh.

The train rolls in, and off he goes saying, "Ciao, bella!"

And I wave at him: "Ciao, bello!"

Toronto has the largest Italian population outside of any city in Italy. I've spent a lot of time in Italy over the years: several months in Bologna; a stint in Lucca; a summer in Rimini; a cold and foggy November in Venice; trips to Rome; a honeymoon in Sant'Agnello di Sorrento. And I minored in Italian language and literature at university.

Strung up on my backpack is a necklace in the Italian colors with a little silver soccer ball made by a woman who is donating the proceeds to the Cancer Society. She makes these necklaces in all the flag colors. I was willing to buy an England necklace as a nod to by brother-in-law, but she had sold out.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:57 p.m.

    Now I understand why you spell those italian words so perfectly, We have some distant cousins in Canada and the some are here in the United States. But we still have family in Italy. I would love to take a break and travel to Italy, But for now is nice that I can perhaps chat with you in Italian. Sono cosi contenta di aver trovate una ragazza con tanto talento!!! Ciao Bella

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great post Colette! Italy must be a dream place! I love the necklace! Could you share with me the name and place of the lady that makes these necklaces? I have 2 friends suffering from cancer...Thanks sweetie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I loved the movie 'Under the Tuscan sun' - I have never visited Italy but it is on my list for sure.
    oh and the runes - disruption - maybe it means that a cat would disrupt my garden. I am going to wait til the cat comes to me :)
    I would love to know more about these runes, for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a great story, Colette! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BELLA~
    WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE OF ITALIAN SOCCER NECKLACES..DO YOU HAVE THE LADIES INFO HANDY OR I COULD SEND YOU THE MONEY, IT IS FOR A GREAT CAUSE AND OF COURSE I AM ITALIANO!
    TAKE CARE~

    PS..I HAVE YOU ON MY FAV LIST...

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate each and every one of you.