back to my roots

Most people dont realize this but i am part Italian - Carolfi is an Italian surname. While I have been here i have met some of my distant relatives in Milan and got a tip that I may be eligible for dual citzenship 'jure sanguis' or by blood right. In my case, my great grandfather emmigrated to the US in 1907 at the age of 25. A single young man, Fiore Carolfi, took a ship from le Havre in the north of France and arrived at Ellis Island on March 5, 1907. His plan was to settle in Monroe, Wisconsin to make cheese with other family member who were already settled there. Later, his beloved 'Anna' joined him there from Casalpusterlango, Italy, they married and they started their family including my Grandpa Ervin.
If Fiore was not a citizen at the time of my grandfather birth, and neither him nor my father have claimed their citizenship rights to Italia, I can do so now. This part of the story is still under investigation. Assuming, Fiore had not yet been naturalized when my grandpa was born, all i have to do to be a citizen of Italy is collect and translate into Italian everyone's birth and marriage certificates from Fiore down to me. Sounds easy right? Well from what i understand, some of these documents have to be taken from the birthplace itself, so a return trip to Italy might be in order. Translations can costs in the hundreds, and the process to approve the paperwork is now taking up to two years. I know it can be done. I have heard of other Italian Americans being successul acquiring dual citizenship and so being a part of the EU. A European passport would definately be an asset for me as I love to travel and it will be so much easier to find work, purchase property in Europe etc. I am just not sure if I should be starting this process now.

Festa della Repubblica & WHO

Today was a national holiday in Italy to celebrate the independence of the Republic. So many things were closed, people had the day off, yet I have to report to work = ) While the city was congregated around the coloseum to watch an extravagant parade full of beautiful men in uniform, i was meeting everyone in the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe aka my new prison. No, i shouldnt be so negative, I was actually pleasantly surprised at how friendly and welcoming everyone was and that the office was normal and not HUGELY WHO. After the tour and necessary paperwork, I met with my new boss - Dr Kruse. Originally from Norway, she has her DVM and her PHD. This women is very bright and has a laundry list of interesting positions shes held all over the world. She even worked for the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for a time in the states and claims she has strong professional connections there = ). I think im going to like working with her. Shes outgoing and very knowledgeable and isnt afraid to leave me to work independently. Dr. Kruse took me out for lunch today as well and actually believed i spokeIitalian after i ordered! I guess maybe i dont sound that bad after all. My first day was typical, intros, paperwork, and a lot of reading about the food safety programme in Europe. I met a really nice german intern and an irish women active with the American club here in rome (dont ask me, i dont get it either) so things are looking good = )

Time with old friends and former collegues

During my week vacation in France, I have also had the opportunity to see my adopted families and my former collegues at the school where i taught. During my last stay here, I met an American family who invited me every week to church and then to their house for lunch. They took me out for lunch one day to a nice french restaurant called Les Veilles Prison (the old prison) within the winding streets of Annecy. It was so nice to catch up with them and they purchased my *cultural* meal of what the french call *friture* I wasnt sure what that was but now I know it is basically fried minnows they catch from the nearby lake! In short, they were not that great but an experience nonetheless. After lunch, we did a bit of window shopping and discussed the diffulties of french life and cultural differences that take years if not your lifetime to understand. For the past few days, i have been staying with my french family in the little town in the mountains. They picked me up and took me spulunking in a small cave in the alps near Seynthenex. The people in this part of France are so active! My pants were loose before from grad school but now they practically fall off with all the walking and activity im doing! The hike by the cave was beautiful complete with waterfall and flora and fauna. I did slip at one point and caught myself with one arm centimeters away from falling in the mud!
I also visited my former place of employment, Lycee Rene Perrin. It has been a joy to suprise my former coworkers and students. Everyone has been happy to see me and have invited me for a meal or coffee. Word of my arrival has traveled fast. I went to buy a newspaper from my fav tabac shop and they knew i was here! I also went to an english teachers house for dinner one night and met her 8 month old baby. It seems that all my good friends here are either pregnant or just had a baby. No worries though im definately not ready for that yet.
Its a good thing im walking as much as i am! French food as the rumor states is so good and good for you. I have had quiche, veal, tarte aux pommes et fraises, french bread (which is what i missed the most), chocolate mousse, all sorts of wine and raqulette -le regional dish of cheese and potatoes. Life is always beautiful when youre on vacation, but especially beautiful when youre in the French Alps.