﻿In_NN1 1973_CRD my_DPS family_NN1 moved_VVD from_PRP our_DPS home_NN1 in_PRP Katonah_NP0 to_PRP Italy_NP0 for_PRP a_AT0 year_NN1 as_PRP my_DPS father_NN1 had_VHD taken_VVN a_AT0 sabbatical_NN1 to_TO0 study_VVI drawing_NN1 ,_PUN sculpture_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC bronze_NN1 casting_VVG at_PRP the_AT0 renowned_AJ0 Accademia_NN1 di_NP0 Belle_NP0 Arti_NP0 ,_PUN situated_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 heart_NN1 of_PRF Florence_NP0 ._SENT My_DPS mother_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS sisters_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP had_VHD never_AV0 been_VBN north_NN1 of_PRF Vermont_NP0 or_CJC south_NN1 of_PRF Manhattan_NP0 ,_PUN nor_CJC had_VHD we_PNP ever_AV0 been_VBN on_PRP a_AT0 plane_NN1 ,_PUN so_AV0 the_AT0 prospect_NN1 of_PRF flying_VVG halfway_AV0 across_PRP the_AT0 world_NN1 to_TO0 live_VVI in_PRP a_AT0 completely_AV0 different_AJ0 country_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC in_PRP a_AT0 city_NN1 no_AV0 less_AV0 (_PUL as_CJS opposed_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 suburbs_NN2 )_PUR ,_PUN was_VBD thrilling_AJ0 and_CJC of_PRF course_NN1 a_AT0 little_AJ0 nervous-making_NN1 ._SENT 
When_CJS we_PNP arrived_VVD in_PRP Rome_NP0 ,_PUN we_PNP stayed_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 pensione_NN1 for_PRP a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF nights_NN2 in_PRP order_NN1 to_TO0 do_VDI some_DT0 sightseeing_NN1 before_PRP taking_VVG a_AT0 train_NN1 to_PRP Florence_NP0 ._SENT We_PNP visited_VVD the_AT0 usual_AJ0 places_NN2 of_PRF significance_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Sistine_AJ0 Chapel_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Colosseum_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Roman_AJ0 Forum_NN1 ,_PUN etc._AV0 ,_PUN which_DTQ were_VBD overwhelming_AJ0 for_PRP eyes_NN2 that_CJT had_VHD never_AV0 seen_VVN anything_PNI older_AJC than_CJS Rockefeller_NP0 Center_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 Empire_NN1 State_NN1 Building_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC a_AT0 few_DT0 relatives_NN2 ._SENT At_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF each_DT0 day_NN1 we_PNP ate_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 restaurant_NN1 just_AV0 a_AT0 few_DT0 doors_NN2 down_AVP from_PRP where_AVQ we_PNP were_VBD staying_VVG ,_PUN and_CJC if_CJS truth_NN1 be_VBB told_VVN ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 first_ORD actual_AJ0 restaurant_NN1 I_PNP had_VHD ever_AV0 eaten_VVN in_PRP ._SENT Even_AV0 though_CJS I_PNP was_VBD almost_AV0 thirteen_CRD years_NN2 of_PRF age_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS far_AV0 as_CJS I_PNP can_VM0 recollect_VVI ,_PUN basically_AV0 the_AT0 only_AJ0 eatery_NN1 I_PNP had_VHD been_VBN to_TO0 was_VBD a_AT0 pizza_NN1 joint_NN1 a_AT0 couple_NN1 of_PRF miles_NN2 from_PRP our_DPS house_NN1 called_VVD the_AT0 Muscoot_NN1 Tavern_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 Muscoot_NN1 was_VBD named_VVN after_PRP the_AT0 reservoir_NN1 it_PNP was_VBD adjacent_AJ0 to_TO0 ,_PUN one_CRD of_PRF many_DT0 reservoirs_NN2 in_PRP upstate_AJ0 New_NP0 York_NP0 that_CJT supply_VVB the_AT0 drinking_NN1 water_NN1 for_PRP New_NP0 York_NP0 City_NN1 ._SENT Built_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 1920s_CRD ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 narrow_AJ0 ,_PUN dilapidated_AJ0 shack_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 building_NN1 with_PRP a_AT0 floor_NN1 that_CJT sloped_VVD like_PRP a_AT0 perpetually_AV0 keeling_AJ0 ship_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD dark_AJ0 and_CJC dingy_AJ0 ,_PUN with_PRP a_AT0 battered_AJ0 wooden_AJ0 bar_NN1 and_CJC about_PRP twenty_CRD checkered_AJ0 tablecloth_NN1 –_PUN covered_AJ0 tables_NN2 ._SENT Cold_AJ0 beer_NN1 on_PRP tap_NN1 ,_PUN Miller_NP0 High_AJ0 Life_NN1 or_CJC the_AT0 like_AJ0 ,_PUN was_VBD served_VVN in_PRP scratched_AJ0 glass_NN1 pitchers_NN2 for_PRP about_AV0 $_NN0 2_CRD each_DT0 ._SENT Iceberg_NN1 lettuce_NN1 salads_NN2 were_VBD served_VVN in_PRP those_DT0 small_AJ0 flimsy_AJ0 "_PUQ wooden_AJ0 "_PUQ patchwork_NN1 bowls_NN2 that_CJT still_AV0 grace_NN1 tables_NN2 in_PRP certain_AJ0 diners_NN2 all_DT0 over_PRP America_NP0 ._SENT However_AV0 ,_PUN regardless_AV0 of_PRF the_AT0 crumbling_AJ0 surroundings_NN2 and_CJC I_PNP believe_VVB a_AT0 multitude_NN1 of_PRF health_NN1 violations_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 place_NN1 did_VDD a_AT0 hearty_AJ0 business_NN1 ,_PUN because_CJS the_AT0 thin-crust_AJ0 pizza_NN1 was_VBD delicious_AJ0 ._SENT (_PUL Many_DT0 other_AJ0 pizza_NN1 places_NN2 opened_VVN over_PRP the_AT0 years_NN2 as_PRP that_DT0 area_NN1 of_PRF upper_AJ0 Westchester_NP0 became_VVD more_AV0 and_CJC more_AV0 populated_VVN ,_PUN yet_AV0 none_PNI of_PRF them_PNP ever_AV0 made_VVD pizza_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD nearly_AV0 as_AV0 good_AJ0 ._SENT )_PUR My_DPS family_NN1 would_VM0 go_VVI to_PRP the_AT0 Muscoot_NN1 maybe_AV0 two_CRD or_CJC three_CRD times_NN2 a_AT0 year_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 special_AJ0 treat_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC besides_PRP a_AT0 hamburger_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Mount_NP0 Kisco_NP0 Friendly_NP0 's_VBZ after_PRP our_DPS annual_AJ0 doctor_NN1 's_POS checkup_NN1 ,_PUN that_DT0 was_VBD my_DPS experience_NN1 of_PRF dining_VVG out_AVP ._SENT (_PUL I_PNP recently_AV0 discovered_VVD that_CJT Massimo_NP0 Bottura_NP0 's_POS wife_NN1 ,_PUN Lara_NP0 Gilmore_NP0 ,_PUN waited_VVD tables_NN2 at_PRP this_DT0 very_AV0 same_DT0 Friendly_NN1 's_VBZ ,_PUN as_CJS she_PNP comes_VVZ from_PRP Bedford_NP0 ,_PUN New_NP0 York_NP0 ,_PUN next_ORD to_PRP my_DPS hometown_NN1 of_PRF Katonah_NP0 ._SENT I_PNP just_AV0 thought_VVD you_PNP 'd_VM0 want_VVI to_TO0 know_VVI that_DT0 information_NN1 and_CJC it_PNP allowed_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 drop_VVI Massimo_NP0 's_POS name_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ I_PNP will_VM0 now_AV0 continue_VVI to_TO0 drop_VVI ,_PUN among_PRP others_NN2 ._SENT )_PUR 
Anyway_AV0 ,_PUN fifty_CRD years_NN2 ago_AV0 there_EX0 were_VBD very_AV0 few_DT0 restaurants_NN2 in_PRP that_DT0 part_NN1 of_PRF Westchester_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC those_DT0 that_CJT existed_VVD were_VBD either_AV0 diners_NN2 or_CJC very_AV0 high-end_AJ0 places_NN2 serving_VVG duck_NN0 à_AT0 l'orange_NN1 or_CJC other_AJ0 French_AJ0 classics_NN2 that_CJT were_VBD all_AV0 the_AT0 rage_NN1 in_PRP 1970s_CRD America_NP0 ._SENT Public_AJ0 school_NN1 teachers_NN2 '_POS salaries_NN2 being_VBG what_DTQ they_PNP were_VBD ,_PUN and_CJC frankly_AV0 still_AV0 are_VBB ,_PUN dining_VVG out_AVP for_PRP a_AT0 family_NN1 of_PRF five_CRD was_VBD cost-prohibitive_AJ0 ,_PUN so_AV0 logically_AV0 ,_PUN we_PNP ate_VVD in_AVP ._SENT Also_AV0 the_AT0 fact_NN1 that_CJT my_DPS mother_NN1 was_VBD such_DT0 a_AT0 good_AJ0 cook_NN1 made_VVD it_PNP certain_AJ0 that_CJT we_PNP never_AV0 would_VM0 have_VHI gotten_VVN anything_PNI nearly_AV0 as_CJS delicious_AJ0 as_CJS what_DTQ she_PNP was_VBD serving_VVG on_PRP any_DT0 given_AJ0 night_NN1 even_AV0 in_PRP the_AT0 upscale_NN1 restaurants_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC surely_AV0 not_XX0 at_PRP any_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 diners_NN2 ._SENT 
So_AV0 eating_VVG in_PRP a_AT0 restaurant_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC especially_AV0 eating_VVG in_PRP a_AT0 restaurant_NN1 in_PRP Rome_NP0 !_SENT !_SENT ,_PUN was_VBD a_AT0 whole_AJ0 new_AJ0 world_NN1 for_PRP my_DPS sisters_NN2 and_CJC me_PNP ._SENT Do_VDB I_PNP remember_VVI what_DTQ we_PNP ate_VVD those_DT0 two_CRD evenings_NN2 ?_SENT No_ITJ ,_PUN I_PNP do_VDB not_XX0 ._SENT Most_AV0 likely_AJ0 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD just_AV0 a_AT0 simple_AJ0 pasta_NN1 dish_NN1 that_CJT would_VM0 hopefully_AV0 satisfy_VVI three_CRD children_NN2 aged_PRP twelve_CRD ,_PUN nine_CRD ,_PUN and_CJC six_CRD enough_AV0 to_TO0 make_VVI them_PNP sleep_VVI through_PRP the_AT0 night_NN1 and_CJC not_XX0 awaken_VVB their_DPS exhausted_AJ0 and_CJC anxious_AJ0 parents_NN2 ._SENT However_AV0 ,_PUN what_DTQ I_PNP do_VDB remember_VVI is_VBZ the_AT0 tidiness_NN1 and_CJC cleanliness_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 place_NN1 and_CJC that_DT0 ,_PUN like_PRP most_DT0 Italian_AJ0 restaurants_NN2 to_PRP this_DT0 day_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD very_AV0 brightly_AV0 lit_VVN ._SENT I_PNP remember_VVB how_AVQ precisely_AV0 the_AT0 place_NN1 settings_NN2 were_VBD laid_VVN ,_PUN that_CJT the_AT0 glasses_NN2 were_VBD turned_VVN upside_NN1 down_AVP and_CJC then_AV0 deftly_AV0 set_VVN right_AV0 by_PRP the_AT0 waiter_NN1 as_CJS we_PNP were_VBD seated_VVN ._SENT I_PNP remember_VVB the_AT0 starched_AJ0 white_AJ0 tablecloths_NN2 and_CJC how_AVQ the_AT0 waiters_NN2 '_POS jackets_NN2 were_VBD equally_AV0 starched_AJ0 and_CJC white_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP remember_VVB how_AVQ kind_AJ0 they_PNP were_VBD to_PRP us_PNP as_PRP my_DPS father_NN1 explained_VVD with_PRP pride_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP his_DPS then-slightly-broken_AJ0 Italian_NN1 ,_PUN that_CJT we_PNP were_VBD to_TO0 be_VBI living_VVG here_AV0 for_PRP a_AT0 year_NN1 ._SENT All_DT0 that_CJT surrounded_VVD me_PNP was_VBD completely_AV0 alien_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP loved_VVD it_PNP ._SENT I_PNP loved_VVD the_AT0 taut_AJ0 readiness_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 dining_NN1 room_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 preparedness_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 staff_NN0 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 sense_NN1 of_PRF expectation_NN1 that_CJT sat_VVD invisibly_AV0 at_PRP the_AT0 empty_AJ0 tables_NN2 ._SENT Who_PNQ knew_VVD what_DTQ might_VM0 happen_VVI here_AV0 on_PRP this_DT0 or_CJC any_DT0 given_AJ0 evening_NN1 ?_SENT 
I_PNP do_VDB n't_XX0 know_VVI why_AVQ ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP have_VHB always_AV0 been_VBN fascinated_VVN by_PRP and_CJC taken_VVN great_AJ0 comfort_NN1 in_PRP watching_VVG a_AT0 restaurant_NN1 being_VBG prepped_VVN for_PRP opening_VVG by_PRP the_AT0 staff_NN0 ,_PUN their_DPS vests_NN2 or_CJC jackets_NN2 still_AV0 unbuttoned_VVN ,_PUN bow_NN1 ties_NN2 dangling_VVG from_PRP pockets_NN2 or_CJC draped_VVN around_PRP necks_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP particularly_AV0 like_PRP the_AT0 moment_NN1 when_AVQ the_AT0 dining_NN1 room_NN1 is_VBZ finally_AV0 ready_AJ0 and_CJC the_AT0 maître_NN1 d_ZZ0 '_PUQ unlocks_VVZ the_AT0 door_NN1 ,_PUN swings_VVZ it_PNP open_AJ0 invitingly_AV0 ,_PUN then_AV0 steps_VVZ back_AVP inside_AV0 and_CJC waits_VVZ for_PRP the_AT0 first_ORD customer_NN1 to_TO0 enter_VVI as_PRP the_AT0 waiters_NN2 do_VDB up_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD buttons_NN2 on_PRP clean_AJ0 and_CJC freshly_AV0 pressed_AJ0 uniforms_NN2 ._SENT 
When_CJS we_PNP returned_VVD to_PRP Rome_NP0 many_DT0 months_NN2 later_AV0 ,_PUN we_PNP visited_VVD the_AT0 same_DT0 restaurant_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS my_DPS father_NN1 must_VM0 have_VHI felt_VVN a_AT0 certain_AJ0 loyalty_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 place_NN1 because_CJS they_PNP had_VHD been_VBN so_AV0 welcoming_AJ0 to_PRP us_PNP as_CJS new_AJ0 arrivals_NN2 ._SENT As_CJS we_PNP sat_VVD down_AVP he_PNP reminded_VVD the_AT0 waiter_NN1 that_CJT we_PNP were_VBD the_AT0 same_DT0 family_NN1 that_CJT had_VHD visited_VVN some_DT0 time_NN1 before_AV0 ._SENT Without_PRP missing_VVG a_AT0 beat_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 waiter_NN1 threw_VVD up_AVP his_DPS hands_NN2 and_CJC with_PRP a_AT0 huge_AJ0 smile_NN1 welcomed_VVD us_PNP back_AVP and_CJC even_AV0 called_VVD my_DPS sisters_NN2 by_PRP name_NN1 ._SENT How_AVQ this_DT0 man_NN1 ,_PUN who_PNQ was_VBD no_AT0 spring_NN1 chicken_NN1 ,_PUN had_VHD that_DT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF memory_NN1 given_VVN the_AT0 number_NN1 of_PRF people_NN0 he_PNP had_VHD waited_VVN on_AVP since_PRP our_DPS first_ORD visit_NN1 and_CJC over_PRP a_AT0 lifetime_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP may_VM0 never_AV0 know_VVI ._SENT All_AV0 I_PNP can_VM0 say_VVI is_VBZ that_CJT he_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 testament_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 professionalism_NN1 and_CJC innate_AJ0 graciousness_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 precious_AJ0 figure_NN1 that_DT0 is_VBZ the_AT0 Italian_AJ0 waiter_NN1 ._SENT 
When_CJS we_PNP settled_VVD in_PRP Florence_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP did_VDD not_XX0 speak_VVI a_AT0 single_AJ0 word_NN1 of_PRF Italian_NN1 ,_PUN so_CJS I_PNP was_VBD enrolled_VVN in_PRP an_AT0 Italian_AJ0 school_NN1 but_CJC placed_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 year_NN1 behind_PRP where_AVQ I_PNP would_VM0 have_VHI normally_AV0 been_VBN at_PRP my_DPS age_NN1 in_PRP order_NN1 to_TO0 learn_VVI proper_AJ0 grammar_NN1 along_AVP with_PRP the_AT0 other_AJ0 students_NN2 ._SENT This_DT0 proved_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 very_AV0 wise_AJ0 choice_NN1 ,_PUN because_CJS within_PRP two_CRD months_NN2 I_PNP was_VBD speaking_VVG fluently_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC by_PRP the_AT0 end_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS stay_NN1 I_PNP was_VBD correcting_VVG any_DT0 correspondence_NN1 that_CJT my_DPS father_NN1 had_VHD to_TO0 write_VVI in_PRP Italian_NN1 ._SENT (_PUL Unfortunately_AV0 ,_PUN today_AV0 my_DPS Italian_NN1 is_VBZ hardly_AV0 fluent_AJ0 ,_PUN a_AT0 result_NN1 of_PRF not_XX0 speaking_VVG it_PNP every_AT0 day_NN1 ._SENT But_CJC I_PNP have_VHB been_VBN taking_VVG lessons_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC frequent_AJ0 trips_NN2 to_PRP Italy_NP0 have_VHB given_VVN me_DPS opportunities_NN2 to_PRP practice_NN1 ,_PUN although_CJS I_PNP pity_VVB the_AT0 very_AV0 patient_AJ0 natives_NN2 with_PRP whom_PNQ I_PNP converse_VVB ._SENT )_PUR 
Unlike_AJ0 in_PRP America_NP0 ,_PUN there_EX0 were_VBD no_AT0 school_NN1 lunches_NN2 ._SENT School_NN1 started_VVD at_PRP around_AV0 eight_CRD thirty_CRD and_CJC finished_VVN at_PRP one_PNI p.m._AV0 ,_PUN at_PRP which_DTQ time_NN1 everyone_PNI went_VVD home_AV0 for_PRP the_AT0 midday_NN1 meal_NN1 and_CJC an_AT0 afternoon_NN1 rest_NN1 ._SENT To_TO0 compensate_VVI for_PRP these_DT0 short_AJ0 hours_NN2 ,_PUN we_PNP did_VDD however_AV0 have_VHI classes_NN2 on_PRP Saturday_NP0 mornings_NN2 from_PRP nine_CRD a.m._AV0 to_PRP twelve_CRD p.m._AV0 I_PNP loved_VVD these_DT0 hours_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS they_PNP gave_VVD me_PNP much_AV0 more_AV0 free_AJ0 time_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 afternoons_NN2 ._SENT Of_PRF course_NN1 ,_PUN this_DT0 schedule_NN1 was_VBD conceived_VVN with_PRP the_AT0 assumption_NN1 there_EX0 would_VM0 always_AV0 be_VBI an_AT0 adult_NN1 at_PRP home_NN1 to_TO0 care_VVI for_PRP the_AT0 children_NN2 when_CJS they_PNP arrived_VVD for_PRP lunch_NN1 ._SENT Today_AV0 things_NN2 have_VHB changed_VVN distinctly_AV0 ,_PUN but_CJC in_PRP the_AT0 Italy_NP0 of_PRF the_AT0 early_AJ0 seventies_CRD there_EX0 was_VBD always_AV0 someone_PNI ,_PUN usually_AV0 a_AT0 mother_NN1 or_CJC a_AT0 grandparent_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP the_AT0 household_NN1 at_PRP any_DT0 given_AJ0 time_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 day_NN1 ._SENT 
Having_VHG an_AT0 adult_NN1 present_NN1 at_PRP home_NN1 consistently_AV0 was_VBD of_PRF even_AV0 greater_AJC importance_NN1 when_CJS spring_NN1 brought_VVD warm_AJ0 weather_NN1 as_CJS ,_PUN purely_AV0 by_PRP coincidence_NN1 I_PNP am_VBB sure_AJ0 ,_PUN during_PRP this_DT0 time_NN1 teachers_NN2 '_POS strikes_NN2 became_VVD more_AV0 frequent_AJ0 ._SENT We_PNP had_VHD experienced_VVN a_AT0 few_DT0 strikes_NN2 by_PRP the_AT0 faculty_NN1 throughout_PRP the_AT0 year_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC we_PNP were_VBD usually_AV0 told_VVN in_PRP advance_NN1 if_CJS and_CJC when_CJS one_PNI was_VBD pending_AJ0 ._SENT What_DTQ exactly_AV0 these_DT0 sudden_AJ0 walkouts_NN2 pertained_VVD to_PRP we_PNP never_AV0 knew_VVD ,_PUN but_CJC as_CJS kids_NN2 we_PNP welcomed_VVD them_PNP ._SENT By_PRP the_AT0 time_NN1 spring_NN1 had_VHD fully_AV0 arrived_VVN —_PUN the_AT0 trees_NN2 were_VBD in_PRP blossom_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 blue_AJ0 Italian_AJ0 sky_NN1 floated_VVD overhead_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC summer_NN1 was_VBD just_AV0 around_PRP the_AT0 corner_NN1 —_PUN the_AT0 strikes_NN2 were_VBD even_AV0 more_AV0 frequent_AJ0 and_CJC came_VVD without_PRP any_DT0 forewarning_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP remember_VVB walking_VVG to_PRP school_NN1 a_AT0 number_NN1 of_PRF times_NN2 and_CJC entering_VVG halls_NN2 that_CJT were_VBD empty_AJ0 of_PRF staff_NN0 ,_PUN with_PRP the_AT0 exception_NN1 of_PRF some_DT0 administrator_NN1 who_PNQ would_VM0 tell_VVI those_DT0 of_PRF us_PNP milling_VVG about_PRP looking_VVG for_PRP some_DT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF guidance_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ Ragazzi_NP0 !_SENT Non_NP0 c'è_NP0 '_POS scuola_NP0 oggi_NP0 ._SENT C'è_NP0 '_POS un_AT0 sciopero_NN1 ._SENT Tornate_VVB a_AT0 casa_NN1 !_SENT "_PUQ (_PUL "_PUQ Kids_NN2 !_SENT There_EX0 is_VBZ no_AT0 school_NN1 today_AV0 ._SENT There_EX0 is_VBZ a_AT0 strike_NN1 ._SENT Go_VVB home_AV0 !_SENT "_PUQ )_PUR 
And_CJC so_AV0 we_PNP would_VM0 go_VVI home_AV0 ._SENT Happily_AV0 ._SENT 
When_CJS the_AT0 strikes_NN2 first_ORD began_VVD ,_PUN my_DPS mother_NN1 of_PRF course_NN1 questioned_VVD my_DPS unexpected_AJ0 return_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP would_VM0 cheerily_AV0 explain_VVI that_CJT there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 strike_NN1 ._SENT At_PRP first_ORD she_PNP and_CJC my_DPS father_NN1 were_VBD shocked_AJ0 ._SENT They_PNP both_AV0 worked_VVD in_PRP an_AT0 American_AJ0 high_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN where_CJS nothing_PNI like_PRP this_DT0 would_VM0 ever_AV0 happen_VVI ._SENT But_CJC eventually_AV0 ,_PUN as_CJS the_AT0 teachers_NN2 absented_VVD themselves_PNX with_PRP more_DT0 frequency_NN1 and_CJC I_PNP regularly_AV0 reappeared_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 apartment_NN1 a_AT0 mere_AJ0 half_NN1 hour_NN1 after_PRP having_VHG just_AV0 left_VVN ,_PUN she_PNP would_VM0 roll_VVI her_DPS eyes_NN2 and_CJC shake_VVB her_DPS head_NN1 ._SENT 
My_DPS sisters_NN2 were_VBD enrolled_VVN in_PRP a_AT0 Catholic_AJ0 school_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC because_CJS nuns_NN2 are_VBB not_XX0 inclined_AJ0 to_TO0 protest_VVI for_PRP better_AJC wages_NN2 or_CJC shorter_AJC hours_NN2 ,_PUN they_PNP were_VBD schooled_VVN consistently_AV0 ._SENT However_AV0 ,_PUN for_PRP me_PNP ,_PUN although_CJS I_PNP did_VDD learn_VVI proper_AJ0 Italian_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS schooling_NN1 in_PRP Italy_NP0 was_VBD the_AT0 best_AJS education_NN1 I_PNP almost_AV0 had_VHD ._SENT 
At_PRP this_DT0 point_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 chapter_NN1 I_PNP would_VM0 write_VVI about_PRP all_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 food_NN1 I_PNP ate_VVD in_PRP Italy_NP0 over_PRP the_AT0 course_NN1 of_PRF that_DT0 year_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC I_PNP am_VBB afraid_AJ0 that_CJT ,_PUN unless_CJS we_PNP were_VBD traveling_VVG to_PRP another_DT0 city_NN1 to_PRP sightsee_NN1 or_CJC visiting_VVG relatives_NN2 in_PRP Calabria_NP0 ,_PUN we_PNP ate_VVD at_PRP home_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 sabbatical_NN1 required_VVD that_CJT my_DPS father_NN1 's_POS salary_NN1 be_VBI reduced_VVN for_PRP his_DPS year_NN1 abroad_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC even_AV0 though_CJS the_AT0 bygone_AJ0 Italian_AJ0 lira_NN0 was_VBD very_AV0 weak_AJ0 compared_VVN to_PRP the_AT0 American_AJ0 dollar_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP still_AV0 made_VVD no_AT0 sense_NN1 for_PRP our_DPS family_NN1 to_TO0 dine_VVI out_AVP ._SENT Even_AV0 when_CJS we_PNP traveled_VVD through_PRP the_AT0 country_NN1 by_PRP train_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS parents_NN2 always_AV0 bought_VVD all_DT0 the_AT0 ingredients_NN2 to_TO0 make_VVI sandwiches_NN2 as_CJS opposed_VVN to_PRP paying_VVG extra_AJ0 to_TO0 buy_VVI them_PNP premade_AJ0 ._SENT This_DT0 means_VVZ that_CJT not_XX0 until_CJS I_PNP began_VVD to_TO0 travel_VVI to_PRP Italy_NP0 on_PRP my_DPS own_DT0 many_DT0 years_NN2 later_AV0 would_VM0 I_PNP begin_VVI to_TO0 experience_VVI the_AT0 wonder_NN1 and_CJC diversity_NN1 of_PRF native_AJ0 Italian_AJ0 cooking_NN1 ._SENT 
Yet_AV0 ,_PUN there_EX0 is_VBZ one_CRD meal_NN1 I_PNP remember_VVB having_VHG during_PRP the_AT0 trip_NN1 to_PRP Calabria_NP0 ._SENT We_PNP were_VBD in_PRP the_AT0 city_NN1 of_PRF Cittanova_NP0 ,_PUN deep_AJ0 inside_PRP the_AT0 toe_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Italian_AJ0 boot_NN1 ,_PUN where_AVQ both_AV0 my_DPS maternal_AJ0 grandparents_NN2 were_VBD born_VVN ,_PUN but_CJC only_AV0 my_DPS grandfather_NN1 still_AV0 had_VHD relatives_NN2 there_AV0 ._SENT He_PNP and_CJC my_DPS grandmother_NN1 had_VHD come_VVN to_TO0 visit_VVI us_PNP in_PRP Florence_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC we_PNP all_AV0 made_VVD the_AT0 pilgrimage_NN1 to_PRP their_DPS hometown_NN1 ._SENT Like_PRP most_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 cities_NN2 in_PRP Calabria_NP0 and_CJC throughout_PRP the_AT0 south_NN1 ,_PUN Cittanova_NP0 was_VBD still_AV0 a_AT0 very_AV0 poor_AJ0 place_NN1 then_AV0 ._SENT My_DPS first_ORD impression_NN1 was_VBD that_CJT I_PNP had_VHD gone_VVN far_AV0 back_AVP in_PRP time_NN1 ._SENT Compared_VVN to_PRP Florence_NP0 ,_PUN there_EX0 were_VBD significantly_AV0 fewer_DT0 cars_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 buildings_NN2 were_VBD crumbling_AJ0 ,_PUN and_CJC most_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 inhabitants_NN2 wore_VVD black_AJ0 ,_PUN as_CJS was_VBD the_AT0 tradition_NN1 south_NN1 of_PRF Rome_NP0 when_CJS a_AT0 family_NN1 member_NN1 had_VHD died_VVN ._SENT But_CJC because_CJS most_DT0 families_NN2 were_VBD so_AV0 large_AJ0 ,_PUN there_EX0 was_VBD always_AV0 somebody_PNI dying_AJ0 on_PRP any_DT0 given_AJ0 day_NN1 ,_PUN so_AV0 basically_AV0 everyone_PNI just_AV0 wore_VVD black_AJ0 all_DT0 the_AT0 time_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS relatives_NN2 all_AV0 wore_VVD black_AJ0 for_PRP this_DT0 reason_NN1 ,_PUN but_CJC in_PRP particular_AJ0 because_CJS one_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 patriarchs_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN killed_VVN accidentally_AV0 in_PRP a_AT0 Mafia_NN1 shooting_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP seems_VVZ he_PNP happened_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI in_PRP the_AT0 wrong_AJ0 place_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 wrong_AJ0 time_NN1 ,_PUN meaning_VVG he_PNP was_VBD walking_VVG next_ORD to_PRP someone_PNI who_PNQ was_VBD the_AT0 target_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 hit_NN1 and_CJC he_PNP himself_PNX caught_VVD the_AT0 better_AJC part_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 shotgun_NN1 blast_NN1 ._SENT However_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP did_VDD hear_VVI recently_AV0 that_CJT this_DT0 was_VBD a_AT0 slight_AJ0 whitewashing_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 truth_NN1 ._SENT No_AT0 one_PNI will_VM0 probably_AV0 ever_AV0 know_VVB for_PRP certain_AJ0 what_DTQ happened_VVD ,_PUN and_CJC perhaps_AV0 it_PNP 's_VBZ best_AJS that_CJT we_PNP never_AV0 do_VDB ._SENT 
