Firsts

In the last week I had a couple new first Italian experiences...

1. Italian church - I went to mass last Sunday with my friend, Mariantonia, and her father.  Mariantonia was at least 20 min late picking me up, so by the time we got to church the priest was giving the homily (but this is Italy... why would we actually arrive somewhere on time?).  Of course I couldn't understand a word of what the priest was saying. For the rest of mass I found myself recognizing which parts of the mass we were in, but not remembering all the responses in English without prior prompting by the priest, because again I couldn't understand a word he was saying.  Then when it came time for communion, I expected everyone to file out row by row starting from the front of the church like we do in the U.S.  Nope.  It was basically a free for all.  Whenever the spirit moved you, you could go up for communion, regardless of where you were sitting in the church or how many people there were between you and the isle.  Very Italian.  But I enjoyed it.  Every church I have been in so far in Italy is beautiful, so even if I couldn't understand what was happening I could at least admire the artwork.

2. Italian hair salon - I got my first haircut yesterday.  I went with Mariantonia to her usual place because I really wanted a recommendation and I wanted someone to help me explain what kind of haircut I wanted.  We went to this salon in a converted apartment close to her house.  When we arrived, we were first offered an Italian coffee (espresso).  I'm getting used to drinking these even at 4:00 in the afternoon. Then the owner showed us around his salon and also showed us his artwork (which was impressive).  He also showed me all the photos on the wall of times when he did hair for famous people, including at the Miss Italy pageant.  We chatted for about 10 or 15 min, and then finally someone was ready to wash my hair.  Eventually we got around to the cutting and styling, and I could tell this guy knew what he was doing but he talked in such fast dialect that I had no idea what he was saying.  He could have been suggesting a mohawk and I wouldn't have known.  As always, thank goodness for Mariantonia.  I thought it was funny that both the stylist and one of his assistants pointed out to me more than once that I had quite a lot of grey hairs and was in need of some color.  The stylist was also really encouraging me to get highlights... he even brought out a hair sample and carefully arranged it in a section of my hair just so I could see what it would look like.  He said it would lighten it up for summer.  I smiled and nodded and said "sure, maybe next time."  I neither care about my grey hairs, or about the fact that my hair has always been the same boring color of brown.  I just wanted to humor him (although I will admit there were a few moments when I thought he actually wanted to do the highlights right then, and I was afraid that I might have said "yes" or "sure" at the wrong moment, indicating that I would be ok with that.  Thankfully this was not the case).  After about 2 hours Mariantonia and I walked out with our new hairstyles (see photo above).  And I thought the Douglas J student salon was slow! I'm happy with the result though, and I think I look a lot more like my sister Rebecca now (even though for the last few years everyone has said Lauren and I could be twins).  It's a good thing I have such pretty sisters - I'm happy to resemble either one of them!

As they say in Italy, Buona Domenica (Happy Sunday)!