Thursday 13th September

When I got up this morning I had to thank my mum because Zia was told by mum that I just love to eat toasted ham and cheese sandwiches. What a joke. Mum warned me about it because I had called her up about a week ago and she told me that she didn't know what to say so she made up something. So sure enough Zia got out a normal toaster and a brand new sandwich press. She actually went to buy one. See what you did mum! So I got two sandwiches and a whole lot of hassling to eat up. I had coffee because they know I love coffee and it was pretty good to actually get more decent coffee for once. Now I didn't understand what I was being told seeming as my Italian is massively under developed and irregularly used. I was asked yesterday if I wanted to go to a chocolate factory and I said yes. Cristina said to be ready by 9am. I got up at 9am and Zia as slow making my breakfast because she didn't know how to use the new toasted press. Again, thanks mum. I went for a shave as I hadn't in about a week and oddly yuck. Especially since I had just met my family after so long and I looked like crap. I shaved and by 10am I was ready and we went to the Minor chocolate factory.

Cristina drove us over in Zio's car and I had no idea but it was his. When we got there it was one day too late for a guided tour so only groups could go in. But we could walk around. Which was pretty sweet because it was all open and the glass walkway was over the factory so it was interesting to watch. At the end we got chocolate which I thought I was going to buy for myself but Zia paid for it and I felt bad, it was about $20 worth. Then Cristina asked me for my opinion on a gift set and I said the annoyingly loud mug that makes noise each time you lift it is funny. She got it, again worth $20, and gave it to me. I didn't know it was my gift! I thought it was for someone else because originally she picked up a $10 gift set.

When we got back Zia again stuffed me with food and was happy with her little smile and kept trying to feed me more. I had a nap and we went to the town of Wil to go and buy stuff. I needed shaving cream as mine ran out this morning and when Zio said we were going to the shops I thought he meant directly across the road. Nope he drove for almost 10 minutes when I was told he wasn't able to drive. Apparently he can mum. Again thanks. When we got there they started taking me to shops with jackets worth $500 and asking if I liked them. Then I realised they wanted to buy me one. I said no, I don't have luggage space and they're expensive. They said they'll get me a watch. I said no, I have 3 already. Then they just got me shaving cream. But I saw lederhosen and it was almost $200 so I thought I'll get a shirt for Oktoberfest. Nothing was my size and Zia asked every shop assistant to look for me for my size because of how small I am and the sizes are too big. Long story short we found nothing for me. On the way out I saw H&M. Ah well. But I asked where Frey chocolate is because Pat and Agatha were asking for some. Since we were in the CoOp supermarket I thought it was a good question, but they don't sell it, however another major supermarket does. Whilst in the supermarket though there was a whole section of cakes and such and Zia said to pick anything and not to worry about the price. I thought if I go for a portion controlled food then I'd be told to have another and another, like the wafers which were opened. So I just grabbed a raspberry tart to just get it over and done with. I got yoghurt for the morning as I can't just live on bread, ham and cheese alone. This kind of went out the door as it just ended up sitting in the car, along with cheese and such for a good hour or so whilst we visited Zio's sister.

Just to make it clear, that's my Nonnas sister and my God do they look the same! Except this one probably has a valid reason for the walking stick but she looks to be slightly younger than Nonna. It was great to actually meet more family because it helps me feel like I'm at home and more relaxed and less awkward. I spoke to Frank, the son for a while outside because he spoke some English. His father just spoke to me in Italian and some German and I had no idea what was going on. Pretty much the picture attached describes how I feel. I also met Carmela who was in her room most of the time.

Once we got home we just had a quiet one. I ended up sleeping pretty well. Something I've needed for ages.