Ultima Partita

     May 6, 2012 Today was the last soccer game for Catanzaro. Roberto, Leo, and I got to the stadium an hour and a half beforethe game was suppose to start and there were already people everywhere in the stadium and outside of it. There was also more police at this game than there was at the last game we went to. Since this was the last game I decided to sit in La Curva (the black hole of Catanzaro soccer). I like the crazziness, the singing (I got to sing my song I have been practicing), and the cheering, but I also would like to watch the game. Here we had a good view, but when all of the flags went up I only had a little window of a soccer field to see and it wasn't a big window either.

     Once we found some seats I noticed that we were near Salvatore and Fabio (some friends). I was wondering how we were going to get everyone to sit close together when it was already packed, but I tell you just like parking cars here they can manage to find a seat. This stadium isn't  like going to a game in America. You buy a ticket and there may be a seat number on it, but that doesn't mean that is where you need to sit. The ticket basically just gets you in the door and you can sit wherever you want, but if you payed for La Curva you sit in that area and if you paid for Tribuna (covered seating) you sit in there. Once you are in that area you can go sit where ever you are able to find a spot. My cousin Claudio came with my other cousin Claudio who is 10 years old to watch the game, then finally before the game started Veruska and Luciano showed up at the last minute.
     After the game Roberto drove us home because we all got into a water fight at the stadium and needed to change. After I was ready to go Veruska and Luciano picked me up to drive me around the town for the festa. The game actually ended in a tie 3-3, but since the Catanzaro soccer team finished #1 in their division the city has a big celebration, and it is very different than the way we celebrate. People stand on their balconies waving flags, the city is packed with cars/scooters driving around with flags/scarves flying out the windows and honking their horns. People are walking down the streets cheering and singing songs. I even saw one scooter go by that had three people on it! It is a lot of fun to see everyone celebrate after a big game. On our way to dinner I took a picture of a group of people and they were asking something as to why I was taking a picture of them. Veruska explained that I am not from here and I am taking it to America with me. Then we told them I wanted a picture with them. When I went over to this guy and two girls. I told them I wanted to take a picture with them. They guy was like, "you want to take a picture with me?" and I said, "No, I want to take a picture with everyone." Then he pushed his two girl friends out of the way and said "no just me and you are going to take a picture."  So that is a random guy in the picture with me below.

     Once we were finished driving around and seeing the celebration we parked the car to go meet up with some other cousins and friends; Claudio, Daniella, Salvatore, and Fabio. Once we found them we all went to dinner to have pizza at a restaraunt called Topolino. I ended up ordering something different. This time I ordered a Calzone thinking it would be normal size...ha I guess I should have known better...I was only able to eat half of it.

     Finally after I returned home from a long night I took a picture with all of my Catanzaro gifts I was given. My hat was a gift from my cousin Sonia's husband Massimo, the scarf was a gift from my cousin Claudia's family, and the jersey was a gift from my cousin Roberto. It is an original jersey from a famouse Catanzaro soccer player named Palanca. Oh and my nails were painted yellow and red by Veruska.

 

Italian Kareokee

    May 5, 2012 This morning was another mercatino day...can't believe I walked through the entire market and did not buy a single thing today. after we were done we went to the cemetary that was near by to see my uncle that passed away last June. The cemetaries are very different here. It is not like ours where you just get burried and have a plaque above your grave. Here people have statues made out of marble and they keep up regularly on taking care of the flowers and their loved ones gravesides. A girl even had a big statue made to look just like one of her dance pictures.

     After we ate lunch mom and took some lunch to Zio Nino and visited with him for a little bit, then we had to leave and found a store near his house where we bought a gift for a confirmation. Veruska came and picked us up because we were running late for dinner at her friends house. We dropped my mom off at home and then her and I went to her house to get ready for dinner.

     Once Veruska was finally ready we were off to the dinner party. Not only were we going to be eating, but there was also going to be kareokee. Everyone kept wanting me to sing especially when they found out that I knew an entire song called Sapore di Sale. (I have actually known that song since I was 7 years old when I was here in Italy, and it has been my favorite song since then even though it is a very old classic song) They are definitely persistent in trying to get me to sing,  so I gave in but I just held the microphone away from me and in their face instead. My cousins neighbor/friend Antonio kept wanting me to sing with him. I never sing kareokee at home. I'd rather just watch everyone else do it, and here not only am I doing something I don't like doing, but I am singing in a different language. If I am being honest I do have to admit that it actually was a lot of fun  tonight.

One Day in Naples

     May 4, 2012 We woke up this morning with a little more piece of mind since we did not receive a phone call from the doctor throughout the night. The hospitals here only call if it is bad news, so dreading that phone call is what we have been doing and praying that it won't ring. Antonio called the doctor this morning around 7am to see how he was doing. As crappy as the medical system is over here I have to say that that is one thing that I do like. Here they can call and ask to speak to the doctor and he will get on the phone and talk to the patient or the family members. In America though, very rarely do we get to speak to our doctors over the phone unless we have a really good one. We instead have to go through the nurses for information. The doctor told my cousin to relax because my cousin is still doing good, and that they can come down to the hospital at noon for more information on what's going on.
     A colleague of my cousins left her house here in Naples and went to stay with her mom in Rome, so that my family could rent her house while Gateano was in the hospital. This lady has a computer with DSL (first DSL system I have seen since I've been here), so I have been able to keep up on my blogs and communicate with family and friends. The only thing that still sucks is that being 9 hours ahead of everyone at home I still end up missing a lot. My uncle in the U.S. is wife made a comment on Facebook on my picture of my little cousin here in Italy that completely confused me, so I commented back saying I didn't know what she was talking about. After I replied I kept looking through my news feed and saw that a friend of my cousins in Washington posted a picture of her with him and then wrote RIP Ryan....I had to call my dad from Italy to the U.S. to find out what was going on. I then find out my mom new, but didn't tell me. I called her and asked, "is there something you should tell me instead of me finding out from facebook?" she said "oh my gosh I am so sorry I forgot to tell you." she was actually debating on telling me because of what I was going through with my little cousin in Naples, and then she forgot to tell me when we talked last, so she decided to tell me when I got home. She said she didn't think I had a computer where I was at and she didn't think I would be able to see anything on Facebook. Little did she know I had a faster computer where I was at haha. I wasn't mad I was just shocked at finding out about my cousin online by one of his friends rather than from my family, but I do understand why she was debating on whether to tell me or not.
     I knew that going to Naples I was going for my cousin and him alone, and if I were to get the opportunity to sightsee that would be a plus;however, no one planned on things turning out the way they did. We were basically stuck in the house most of the time. The first day we were at the hospital, but after that we all stayed at home, and then my cousin Antonio and Simona would go to the hospital to get information. There wasn't a reason for us to go because they won't let anyone in the ICU. My cousin Claudia wanted to take me out for a little bit, so that I would at least be able to see a little of Naples while I was there. Antonio's friends were leaving today to return to Catanzaro and I was going to ride with them, but that all depended on the news we would get from the doctor at noon. Claudia and I set out about 9:30am and took the bus in to the center of Naples at Piazza Garibaldi. The view down into the center of Napoli was amazing! I only saw one patch of green grass and that was it. There is not any land anywhere. There are buildings and house so close together that you can only see the roads and all of the building in the city.

     We started walking to a different Piazza after here, and I saw a pastry that was a giant size of some pretty amazing cookies here, (we have them in the U.S. too) so I thought I would give it a try. It actually wasn't as great as it looked, and no I didn't eat it all. After we grabbed pastry and Claudia drank her coffee we were off again on foot.Out the door it looked like there was some sort of parade going on. As we got closer we realized that it was a bunch of people on strike, and boy do they get very aggressive here.

           Our next stop was Via Toledo.This street was awesome! The way the road are made is amazing, it's not just plain boring asphalt. Last time I was in Italy I was able to see how they make the roads. Via Toledo is a very famous and expensive street. It is similar to Rodeo Dr. in Hollywood. In most place, like where my family lives, people hang there clothes out there window. Well here in Naples because the houses are so close together they are able to hang their clothes across the street going from one building to the next. They also had street performers which I had to take a picture of because it is different from what we see in San Fransisco, especially with a big cello.

My cousin then took me to a very old and famous coffee bar in Naples. It was absolutely gorgeous with the architecture and marble everywhere. Plus the outfits they dress in were pretty awesome too. I even had to take a picture of the bathroom because it was thenicest and cleanest bathroom I have seen here in Italy out in public. The people around me were probably wondering what the heck it was I  was doing. I just couldn't believe that I actually found  a bathroom that was clean, had toilet paper, plus soap to wash your hands when you were done. I guess you could say i'm still in a little shock.

 

 

After we grabbed our cafè shakerato which was made differently and hot this time we set out for Piazza Plebiscito. There was a lot going on in this Piazza. The military had set up an area for demonstration as to how things run when they are out in the middle of a war. I took a picture with what one of the nurses and couldn't believe they still dress old fashioned. Also the main guy of Naples the Sindeca (the Arnold Schwarnegger) came out and I was also able to get a picture of him. As we walked down a little hill near this Piazza you could see the gorgeous view of some of the city. Plus you could also seee the famous Volcanoe Mt. Vesuvius. 

                                  

     

 

This was our last stop.On the way back home we tried to find the mercatino we saw on our way down the hill, but we couldn't find it and when we did they were closing up. Antonio's friends (Massimo, Massimo, andFrancesco) kept calling Claudia to see where we were at because they were at the house waiting for me, so that I could ride home with them. Claudia thought they were leaving after 5pm, and I told here that Massimo said they were leaving at noon after we got more information on how Gaetano was doing. They were a blast to ride home with. They all know a little English, so that always makes it a little easier when you can't find a word you want to use in one language just try the second one. The view on the way home was gorgeous. I thought it would be like on the way to Naples driving along the ocean instead on the way home I got to see a different part. It was all green mountains and countrysides. I swear I probably went through more tunnels through mountains on this 4 hour trip home than I have my entire life.I didn't get to go shopping, but I did find an IKEA!!! It would have been nice to go look around and see  all of the different things they have here that we don't have in ours at home. We will probably all be driving back to Naples again to see my cousin once he is out of ICU and able to have visitors.

 

 

Made it Through The Night

     May 3, 2012 Thank God we didn't get a phone call through the night with any bad news. My cousin made it through the night. They had to do another invasive procedure early in the morning on my cousin again. They had to open him up and clean the inside out because there were blood clots. After this procedure the bleeding has stopped and only been minimal which they said is normal for a large procedure like this. A family friend who is a nurse was trying to explain a word my family did not understand, and it sounds like that they were thinking my cousin may have had a reaction to the blood transfusion, or may have been give the wrong blood type that can some times cause the lack of coagulation. They do not allow anyone in the ICU's here, but luckily they have allowed my cousin Antonio to go in and see his son. I am at least glad that he was able to go in there. I can't stand the thought of them allowing people to die alone here, but I guess that is one of the things that is different from our hospitals at home. There is no communication here between the doctors and nurses to the parents or family members that I have witnessed.
     Three friends of Antonios came to Naples today from Catanzaro, and one of Simona's friends also came to Naples as well. Once everyone was here we all went to a church to go pray for my cousin. I have not been into a Catholic church in a long time. I don't know if things have changed over time, or if it is just different here in Italy. When we walked in we ended up catching the end of mass and communion. I was able to light a candle for my cousin and my friend Lorena's mom who was just recently diagnosed with Leukemia. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was that there was a large brown dog laying below the priest at the front of the church. Now that is definitely something you don't see very often. After the mass ended there was a prayer gathering that started where they did some prayers and worship songs. I may not know how to say it in Italian or understand it, but I recognized the tune. They were singing Shout to The Lord, something that I was at least able to sing in English because I knew the words. That was one of the other things I noticed that was different. The Catholic church that I was raised in when I was younger only played the organ and sang songs from a hymnal. This church here in Naples had about 8 younger kids singing worship songs. One was playing the organ and then there was also someone with a guitar. I liked how they were singing contemporary music rather than from a book of hyms.
     Later that night when we returned home from church and everyone was done eating pizza(a mediums size pizza in America is about what they serve here for one person) I was on the computer and my cousins friend Massimo wanted to go outside. The desk I was sitting at is in front of the door and he needed me to move so that he could get outside to go smoke. The way he said my name I knew he was going to try and screw around with me but I beat him to the punch and told him "tu ce una culo largo" basically that he has a big rear...everyone started laughing because this american girl definitely knows how to use these special words at the right time, plus they don't expect things like that to come from me...this is all
thanks to my cousin Veruska.
     Tonight is another night of waiting and praying that the phone doesn't ring and my cousin makes it through the night. Once he is out of ICU we will know we are out of the woods.

Frustrated and Venting

     Not much of what I am going to say now matters nor is it a concern with the change of events that have happened since I wrote this. Last night I was frustrated, pissed, and sad all at the same time. I usually jot down things I have done during my days here and then write about them when I have a chance. Last night I was so mad that while we were waiting in the hospital for news on how my cousin was doing after his operation I started writing what I was experiencing and how I was feeling to help relieve some of the stress. I apologize now since it is probably going to come across very bitter, but since this is part of my journey here I figured everyone should know what exactly is going on.
     May2, 2012 I have to say that being on the other side as a patient's family member, not having control, and waiting for information on how they are doing is a lot shittier than actually being behind the scenes and knowing what is going on with everyone. What is even worse is being in a different country where things are done differently and it suddenly becomes a situation of culture shock. If worse comes to worse all I have to say is thank God my mom and I have travelers insurance.
     My cousin Gaetano was taken into surgery this morning at around 9:15am and we were told he should be out at around 3:00pm. At 3:30pm one of the doctors came out and we thought he was done and in ICU, but instead we found out that the doctor went to take a smoke break. Since then my cousins wife (the mom) has been asking every doctor that comes out of the office for any information on my cousin, and everyone here keeps walking by and responding as they continue walking "just a little longer". Everyone keeps walking by like they don't have the time of day and have better things to do. From my vantage point I see it as there shift is over and they could care less...another day another dollar. At one point Simona (mom) had to ask one doctor who came out if my cousin was still because no one will give us any answers, and the doctor has not came out to update us or tell us anything.
     Now here it is 8:00pm at night. We are going on greater than 12 hours waiting to hear something. I finally find out after I start asking more questions that my cousin is still in surgery and has been this whole time. What I am told now is that they only thought the doctor was done at 3:30, but instead he was taking a break. Gaetano has been in surgery all day because he is hemmorhaging and they can't get the bleeding to stop. Since they are unable to stop the bleeding they can not close him up. After I find this out I am pissed and decided to go tell my mom the change in story (because I told her he was out earlier that day). After talking to my mom I find out that she already knows because the aunt we are staying with has been talking to my aunt (Gaetano's grandma) that is at the hospital with us. I definitely feel like a dumbass that im at the hospital and  finding things out last minute, but I guess regardless of the language barrier that is everyday life for me. When I was talking to my mom I had to leave and go outside to call her because I didn't want my cousin and his wife seeing me cry. I was so mad that I started crying when I was yelling/telling my mom of the BS that is going on here. I'm not sure if it is because I know how important good customer service is when it comes to patient, but what has pissed me off the most is that no one will take the time to give us any information, and they just keep walking/running by as if we are the paparazzi when Simona ask a question as to how her son is doing. ASecond, I understand we get breaks and that this has been a long operation; however, if the doctor can take a 5 minute smoke break he sure as hell can take 5 minutes to update a pleeding mother on how her child is doing. Besided you work in a hospital and if you know you are going to be working for hours put on a flipping nicotine patch. Neglecting a patient who happens to be my little cousin for smoke break while he lies filleted on the operating table is ridiculous. WTH!!! How is that even acceptable?
     Claudia, Giacomo, Simona's dad, and I returned home last night around 10:00pm while the others continued to wait at the hospital. At 11:00pm Claudia gets a phone call and it is my aunt (her mother). Claudia comes into my room and tells me something I do not understand. She tries to explain it better and at the end she did the sign of the cross (a Catholic thing) and then told me he was dead in Italian. I call my mom and told her what she told me.
     Midnight my couin Antonio (father) hands me the phone when I walk into the kitchen. It is my mom. She tells me my little cousin is still alive. Gaetano is now in ICU and they are still unable to get the bleeding to stop. They are treating him with medications in hopes that the bleeding will stop and he will coagulate. There is also complications with his kidneys and liver, but I am not sure exactly what.

Here is a picture of what one of the ambulances in Naples looks like, and the uniforms they where. This is outside the hospital where my cousin is being treated.

On Our Way to Naples

 
     May 1, 2012 We left for Naples this morning which by train was only about 2-3 hours. I didn't really pay attention to the time, but by car it takes 4 hours and the train was definitely faster. At one point the train completely stopped while we were in a tunnel.  I didn't like that at all. My cousin said it probably stopped for another train to go by, but what it reminded me of was those dumb movies where people hop on board and take over. Most of the way here the tracks ran right along the coast line, and I got to see the beautiful ocean and beaches all the way here. There was a couple areas where it was countryside which was also a gorgeous view.
     My cousin Gaetano had to be at the hospital at 6pm to stay the night since his procedure was the following morning. They said that I was the only one that could go with him to take him there. Things are very different here and done very differently at these hospitals. When we got to the hospital no one came to check him in or say hello. We just went straight to a room where there were 4 pediatric beds. I thought someone would
eventually come in, but while I was there I never saw anyone. Only the mom is allowed to stay the night with the baby. I had asked my cousin if they were going to put a bracelet on him with his name and she said no only when they are born do they get the bracelets. I asked her then how are the doctors to know who is who and if they are doing the right procedure on the right patient and she said that the doctors have a paper/card in their office. My cousins cardiac surgeon is a doctor who came here from bagdad. My cousin says that people from all different cities and sometimes countries come here to Naples just to see him and have their procedures done. The hospital is a University similar to UC Davis and UCSF.
     After we left Gaetano and his mom there for the night we came back to the house and then everyone went out for a walk in the city. Everything was closed of course because it was another holiday. I swear every week we have been here so far there has been some kind of holiday where everything is closed and no one works that day. I wish we had more holidays like that at home. A friend of Claudia's named Domenico came and met up with us and took me, her, and my aunt for a little drive around. We are supposed to go again later this week before we leave, so that I can do some sightseeing and shopping.

Practice Makes Perfect

     April 29,2012 My cousin Roberto who is a medic here was going to give my aunt a pain shot, and when I was asking what medicine it was he let me give it to her instead. I told my aunt I need to practice on someone, but what was even funnier was that my aunt told my cousin that he always hurts her when he gives her the shot, but with me I did good and she did not feel anything.
     For lunch we went to my cousins mother-in-laws house. I went to use the restroom and there was no key to lock the door. I wasn't too concerned because usually people knock before they enter...well this 14 year old boy didn't and walked in on my pulling up my pants. I screamed so loud that he jumped and stood there shocked for a second before he turned around and said excuse me and walked out. For once I wasn't embarassed...I think he was embrarassed more. I was laughing so hard I was almost to tears. If only I could have caught his reaction on video...it was priceless.
     I was excited because my cousin Fabio was going to send his son Claudio with us back to the USA for 3 weeks if he could get his mom to agree and say yes. The parents are divorced and they don't talk, so Claudio had to ask his mom himself. Unfortunately she said no, but my cousin Fabio said when he gets older he will be sending him.
     April 30,2012 Veruska and I went to buy tickets for the last soccer game of Catanzaro. My cousins and I are going to be sitting in La Curva (the black hole of soccer). Instead of going to the ticket place we had to go to a soccer store to buy the tickets. When we got to the counter to pay he didn't have any tickets, so the guy was writing down everyones names on a piece of paper and then we have to pick up the tickets later this week. I don't really like the fact that I paid for something and didn't get anything back, but things are done differently here in a lot of ways.