This week has been a little stressful because I had to present a power point presentation to my Rotary club; the Rotary club of Pompei Oplonti Vesuvio Est, in complete and perfect Italian. That said, I did do well and everyone was pleased.
This weekend was kind of a nice get away I guess you would say. Lello, Cinzia, Darcy, Laurel and I got in the car to make a 4 1/2 hour drive to Vibo Valentia in Calabria. We went to this town to present our presentations to their Rotary club.
The blue dot is where I live and the red marker is where you can locate Vibo Valentia.
One thing I can say is Calabria is extremely different than the region in which I live in, Campania. The Calabresi have a slower accent which I found was very difficult to understand, probably because I've become so used to the Napoletano accent. However, the Napoli area we have more slang in the speech and we cut off the vowel endings. The food from Calabria was delicious. I especially enjoyed the pastas and a spicy spread made from peppers.
Darcy, Laurel and I went to sleep at the house of a very friendly Rotarian and his family.The next day, we got up to eat breakfast and then we went to see a ancient castle which under it had Greek artifacts. *Southern Italy is known for the Greek artifacts because many Greeks moved to Italy in look for a new life, money, etc.*
Later that day we ate at probably the best Italian restaurant that I have ever eaten at. This restaurant was literally 300 feet or less from the sea. While at the restaurant we at octopus salad (one of my favorite dishes from Italy), fried calamari, shrimp, and baby octopi. These were just the appetizers! I chose to eat a pasta with mussels, shrimp, calamari, and clams. Lello and Cinzia were proud that I got something that was popular from that restaurant. Lello had told me what he had ordered and I thought it was one of the grossest things you could order. ( I'll keep the suspense going and not say what it was but it was weirder than the sea snails I ate at Christmas) Once his plate arrived, he immediately served me some of it. The dish was pasta with squid ink. Trust me, It tastes better than what it looks/sounds like. I do have to admit it was really good and I would eat it again. Then, we all ate a special type of gelato which is like a square of gelato with a liquid chocolate filling covered with cocoa power and a cake only from Calabria. It was so good and I hope I go back again.
Shortly later, we had to leave our new friends but not without hearing that Darcy, Laurel and I will be coming back to Calabria and visiting Sicily with Pio Luigi and his family! I can't wait! 
The castle! 
An Ancient Greek scale. Awesome, huh? 
The view from on top of the castle! 
Goats! 
I don't think I'll ever be able to forget an experience like this. 
The other side of the castle overlooking the sea. 
Laurel and me! 
The Yolo squad of District 2100. 
The sea - Il mare! 
My pasta with mussels, clams, calamari and shrimp! 
Lello's dish which I tried. Pasta with squid ink. Yum! 
Laurel at the restaurant. 
Anyways, thank you for reading my newest blog post and I want to thank everyone who has helped me for my exchange here or the EuroTour. I will be going on the EuroTour on June 9, however I am about $300 short. If anyone could help through anyway it would be greatly appreciated by me. Thank you all in advance! Grazie Mille! (Thanks a lot)
At Vibo Valentia.
Old Greek vases.
A Map of where the Greeks moved to in Italy.
Ancient Greek money.
Hey let's climb over the safety bar to get a awesome picture! *ps huge drop under this* (That was for you Mamma.)
Until next time,
Ciao!!
-Muriel
