19 Sept. 2004
Torino, Italia

And so after the long plane ride and the five or six hours in Gatwick airport just teasing me that London was only a few miles away, after the tears with mom, the makeshift bed on the plane and watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on my TV, after people watching and listening to a flight attendant explain something in Italian, after applying makeup and perfume after my 16 hours of traveling…I walk out with my two large suitcases and backpack to greet and meet for the very first time – Federico, Paola and Margherita. They are there waiting and they smile and wave as they recognize that I must be their nanny for this year. And kisses on each cheek (instead of hugs) are given along with names and hand shakes and then we are off to conquer city traffic and to pick up Beatrice from ice skating practice. The old buildings and narrow streets remind me that once again I am in a European city and that makes me happy. We drive and chat as though this isn’t the first time we have met and Maghi and I become familiar with one another, as she is a bit shy and silly. At the ice skating rink I meet Bea in her element with friends who stare at the American girl coming to live with their playmate. They play a handclap game with even the same tune of one that I grew up singing. And so back to the car we go and English speaking begins with the girls and Federico and Paola.

I am excitedly introduced to their house by Bea and Maghi and to “your room and my room” and my bathroom and the newly remodeled kitchen and mamma and papa’s room – the bright yellow and orange colors of the walls light up my vision as I am introduced to a very eclectic and enchanting home. A touch of old with large, heavy, wood bureaus and a hint of modern as I find out that Paola shops at IKEA. An iron horse named Silver to ride on, a red beanbag chair and couch, a narrow dining room table and arches connecting to columns. I find my new room cozy and with enough space for everything I managed to bring with me, surprisingly. My tall windows open out to the street below and a PACE (peace) flag hangs from the window across from mine. It is crazy that I am actually here and living and I forget that I am in a foreign country – Italy to be exact – but think I am just here to be a nanny. I am here as a person to live and not so much as a tourist. What a delightful thought! And I sleep so soundly after a meal of pasta and bread and sparkling water and salad and fruit and cheese and wine. I sleep.