An Italian Reunion

Back during the fall of 2004, long before I knew that I was going to apply to teach in Florence, I decided to take a conversational Italian class through the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club. This private club, which only pure-bred Italians can join, offers classes to the general public.

The first night our instructor Joanna encouraged us to form study groups. We all looked around, not knowing each other at all, and somehow six of us gravitated to one another. We decided that first night that the best way to study would be over a good Italian meal, and so began our tradition. Every Monday night, the six of us met before class to have dinner. We had just two rules: the restaurant had to be Italian, and we had to dine at a different restaurant each night. What fun it was! I can't say that we got a lot of studying done, but we formed a bond that has lasted all this time. Although we lost Kristen somewhere along the way, the remaining five (Mary Anne, Elizabeth, Elaine, Sachi, and I) have continued to stay in touch and to get together regularly. And what better excuse this time than the fact that I was about to head to Italy for the semester!

We met at a fairly new trattoria in the Mission called Caffé Vogalonga that serves up authentic Italian cuisine. Over plates of antipasti, pasta, grilled meats, and desserts (and of course a couple bottles of wine), we caught up on our lives. (The last time we got together was about a year ago at my place in San Francisco, where we ordered pizza, drank wine, and watched Ciao Professore, so we had a lot of catching up to do!) And there was lots of exciting news! Elaine got engaged last May while on a cruise to Hawaii and was married in October during Fleet Week, her favorite time of the year. Elizabeth got engaged while in Paris and is planning a very special wedding. Sachi has a great business opportunity in Seattle, but she's promised to fly back for our future get-togethers. And Mary Anne just continues loving life! In fact, she's now even thinking about coming to Florence while I'm there. (Mary Anne, go for it!)

It was a fantastic evening! The next time we're together will be in May when I return. We plan to sit on Elizabeth's roof of her home on Russian Hill, drink wine, and enjoy the view and, most of all, each other's company. Ciao, amiche!