Okay. So yesterday we went trekkkinnggg around the mountains with my cousin, Marco, and his wife, Theresa, who is so cute and nice! It was beautiful and relaxing. Then we went to some restaurant of mushrooms, I forgot the name but I have the pictures. So much food that I wanted to just throw it back up onto the plate from which I ate it. I have pictures of the deserts! Then, we went to a little botanical garden and a cute little animal museum. They have black squirrels...weird.

By the end of all of that it was about six. But of course the day never ends here...

Then we were dropped off at Edelweiss and Nini's house. This is where things became stressful. It's complicated to explain.

When I was 12 and came here, things were a bit different. For some reason, I was connected to Nini (my uncle) immediately. It was strange. I'd never met this man, but it felt as if I had. We didn't even know each other's languages.

This furthers my thoughts on the Diana and I situation. Aunt Diana lived with Nini and Edelweiss when she was very little for quite a while. She became attached to Nini too... Probably people think I'm stupid for thinking I have a strange connection with Aunt Diana, but there are so many coincidences. I feel as if I'm an extension of her. I don't know.

But this time, I felt bad. The expectations were too high and this time in Italy I have been so self conscious and shy. And exhausted and frustrated. We didn't talk as much as last time and I felt like I let him down.

When I left Nini last time, I cried. I told him at the Hotel San Michelle, "Nini, ti voglio tanto bene" as I was crying, and I saw that he did a little too. He told me at dinner that he remembered that.

I realize that I've changed since I was twelve. I think of the people as onions almost though. Maybe onions in reverse? Reverseable onions that can put on or take off layers depending on both the self and the situation. I've put on too many layers since I was young.

Anyway, we went to a festival for a Saint of the town of Montealto. It was cute... so many people in such a small place with kids dancing on stage, etc.

I finally got maybe... 5 hours of sleep. Not enough for what I've been through in the past couple of days. Today, I was exhausted also. We went with Mariolino (my uncle) and my Zia Nelli (beautiful name, I think) and Luca, my cousin, who is JUST like me which is very strange. Mariolino says my name wonderfully, haha! I just love it. "Solaaaaaaaaanj-eh"

First, we went to go check out the beach house, which is abandoned for now until the first of June I think. It's adorable and I remember it just as it was when I was twelve. Then, we ate at yet another restaurant that felt the need to stuff our faces. I experienced my first episode of heartburn today, heh. After dinner, which ALSO happened to be extremely large... Lots of seafood for lunch, though.

After lunch, we went back to the beach house about two minutes away. Mariolino took a nap while Nelli, my mom, and Luca sat on the rocks of the beach to talk. I, instead, went out on the large boulders far out into the water and found one to sit on to read. It was so quiet and serene that I just fell asleep... It was one of the most surreal naps that I've had now that I think about it. Laying out on a boulder in the ocean, book in hand, clear skies above, sunglasses on, peacefully drifting away.... ahhh, if it could only have lasted longer. Of course, Luca woke me up and off we go to yet another place. We went to go check out houses for my Nonna when she decides to move here. Long car ride. Long walk. Long car ride back. Feigned sleeping in the hopes that someone could take pity on me and take me back to the hotel..... NOPE. Instead, we just stuffed our faces more with pizza. Great pizza, though. And this is where the heartburn comes in, ugh. One maalax and a couple hours later and here I am. Finally.

I thought of seven things that are good about this trip, though. 1. Reading 2. Writing 3. Photography 4. Practicing Italian 5. visiting family which I've never really had 6. getting a tan 7. losing some weight (HOPEFULLY - not sure yet if the amount of walking surpasses the amount of food or vice versa)