Frank Sinatra Let it snow

Frank Sinatra - Jingle Bells.

Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes- (I've Had) The Time Of My Life Lyrics

Ronchi78 it's a kind of magic

Ronchi78 It's a kind of magic book is a true life inspirational story about a young South African girl Marilette Barbara van Heerden who travelled to Milan 2 days before her 23rd Birthday for a holiday.
Little did she know how her entire world and life was going to change and how much she inspired and changed all those she had met in Milan in a miraculous way.
This book is somewhat of a true life fairytale that does not speak about the law of attraction and how the power of positive thought and unconditional love can construct as well as heal in abundance but merely give's the simple actions of manifestation.

Throughout this book you will laugh out loud, cry, be shocked, identify with yourself in every single way and be inspired by this new age Cinderella story then be motivated to follow your heart without question Come what may.

Ronchi78 Manuscript will go through the publication process soon.

I wish you all a good evening and thank you for your patience.

Ronchi78 It's a kind of magic, Chapter 1 edited version

Thank you note

I want to once again say thank you to Giacomo Bertacchi, Mirko Paletti and every single staff member in the beautiful homely restaurant called Ronchi78 situated Via San Maurilio 7 in Milano Italia.
You all have inspired me to be the best I can be by just existing. I truly appreciate all of you and love you all very much. Thank you so much for all of your unconditional love. I truly appreciate every single second I spend with all of you. You became my world and my muse of inspiration. Thank you very, very much.
What you brought into my life have been more precious than any gift anybody has ever given me, you paid attention to a girl with big dreams and inspired me to manifest it all simply by spending time with me. What more could I have ever wanted than just you.
You know me completely and even though in the beginning we had to use sign language to communicate, we found a way to and all the times we laughed together simply magic happened, a combination that melted in to one big firework of joy.

A world without you I cannot picture and I do not even want to know my life before you. You make me happy and shine the way I was born to and for this my heart and gratitude will stay with all of you forever and another day.

I love you very much. Thank you, you are all blessings from heaven.

Amore sempre


Preface

I desired to start this book that was first a blog for one simple reason, that is unconditional love.

For about a while ago I could not have dreamed about anything that has happened in my life, to happen, not for one moment. I have fallen in love with the City Milano Italia, my journey in Milan have been more than magical because my whole heart had been stolen completely, firstly by the Duomo, second by a very warm, loving and absolutely beautiful Restaurant called Ronchi78.

My experiences in Milano Italy have only been absolutely incredible and a beautiful adventure.
Life is priceless and unbelievably exciting; there is not a day I will allow to pass without gratitude and a smile.

Before I arrived in Milano I had no idea even about the smallest tourist attraction, I never truly had any interest to ever visit Milano, my understanding of Milano was Fashion only, meaning cold fabric and I love to think of myself as a warm, loving, caring, joyful, sensual, hot blooded young lady. I had no intention to fly from South Africa to do shopping but I was persuaded by a friend to go and visit so I did.

I arrived in Milano the day before my 23rd Birthday on the 19th of October 2010. I did not have a map of the city at all; all I had was my 2 pink suitcases and my smile.
I had to take a taxi from the airport because I did not know how to use the Metropolitana, I did not even know there was something called a yellow line (giggle).
The night before my birthday I stood in front of the most beautiful Cathedral I had ever seen, the famous Duomo. My mouth fell open, my eyes nearly popped out from its sockets and I stood still, stunned... tears filled my eyes because I have never seen so much detail in one cathedral or any building. It was absolutely magical and it still is. It was love at first sight, it was home. The next day I entered the Cathedral and afterwards Ronchi78 where a meeting of hearts started with me and the most important as well as most amazing Italians. It was an adventure, hearts collided that grew deeper over time and magic happened.

This book is a little, well a lot different than my first book called Running with Angels. My first book Running with Angels is about health where this book is an inspirational true life story about Milan, about a beautiful magical restaurant in Milan called Ronchi78.
This true life story is very unusual, one can call it a fairy tale, one can call it bravery one can even call it a little crazy.

This book is about a very unusual girl from South Africa and her name is Marilette, with a very unusual voice, with an enormous amount of talents, very innocent with childlike faith but wise and intelligent in so many ways, I am not trying to blow my own horn here, ehehehe but it is true. 

Have a wonderful time reading because this book is a little bit of everything, you will experience every single emotion humanly possible and you will laugh so much that your stomach muscles will eventually start to cramp. This is our story for you to know that truly everything is possible, so dream big, always have hope and have fun reading.

So let us start with this magical story shall we? Oh yes we shall.



Index

CHAPTER 1 Fell from the sky

CHAPTER 2 ROMA

CHAPTER 3 Confession

CHAPTER 4 Scuola Italiano and the meeting

CHAPTER 5 Tragedy

CHAPTER 6 Come to me now

CHAPTER 7 A little Danger

CHAPTER 8 Decorations

CHAPTER 9 Piazza Residence

CHAPTER 10 Merry Christmas

CHAPTER 11 Miracle

CHAPTER 12 The Concert

CHAPTER 13 Christening

CHAPTER 14 The ring

CHAPTER 15 Festa della donna e Pasqua

CHAPTER 16 Sabotage

CHAPTER 17 Protection

CHAPTER 18 Retreat

CHAPTER 19 It’s a kind of magic

SUMMARY    Diamonds lasts forever




CHAPTER 1: Fell from the sky

I felt tranquil and peaceful as I was staring out of my window seat knowing that in a few minutes the aeroplane will be landing at Malpensa Airport in Milan.   It was just unbelievable that only a short 18 hours before, I left a sunny South Africa, taking a journey across the world on a one month holiday,  invited by a friend for both our birthdays.  I shifted around uncomfortable in my seat, wondering “what if?” but shrugged it off immediately.  This was my holiday and I was prepared to make the most of it!

My friend, Christian told me to take the train, called the Malpensa Express from the airport to Milano Centrale, something I was not keen on doing, for in South Africa the public transport services are almost non-existent and dangerous, so I decided that once I have landed, I am going to rely on a good old taxi to take me to my hotel room.

The aeroplane was then slowly starting to land and a jolt of excitement went through my veins. Suddenly I felt so nervous but still peaceful in a funny way.

While waiting next to the conveyer belt for my two pearly pink  suitcases, I felt exhausted all of a sudden, I just wanted to get to my hotel room, rest for a while and then to meet Christian for dinner that same evening.  I was sure that jet lag  caught up to me!

When it finally approached, I loaded my suitcases onto my luggage trolley and I sighed in relief, I felt a little lost and unfamiliar but happy.

And then disaster!! Near the entrance, I was stopped by a security guard, asking me to open my suitcases in front of everybody.  Knowing that my personal products were lying on top, turned me into a beetroot with embarrassment but I had no choice.  After exposing my underwear and tampax to him as well as the rest of the people that walked past, he just smiled at me and said: “It’s Okay!” I was sure he got a kick out of it, seeing a young girl squirm.  I quickly closed the suitcases and still heavily embarrassed, my attention was then focused on getting to a taxi very quick while I rushed to the exit, trying not to think about the half exposed feelings I had at that time.

The rest of my travel to the hotel was peaceful, all went smoothly and once I was settled in my hotel room I could relax for a few hours before I was going to be courted through the Centre City of Milan by Christian that evening, the evening before my 23rd birthday.
Christian arrived in front of the Hotel 21:30 that evening. He greeted me at the Hotel entrance and walked me towards his car. I blushed a little while he opened the car door for me knowing the gentleman he was and I felt somewhat excited. We spoke while we were travelling through the city; my mind was not completely alert of what Christian was talking about because my eyes were fucused on the breath taking city and the century’s old buildings. It was absolutely amazingly beautiful.
The car came to a stop in a parking area and I was introduced to a very intimate and small, but warm and quiet restaurant. It was almost empty as we entered for there were only one other German couple sitting a few tables away from us. The restaurant had warm brick colours, true Italian atmosphere and there were many wine bottles around the walls. I felt relaxed and comfortable while we dined, talking about many unimportant things.  The conversation was bodiless and shallow and I realized the spark between Christian and I was non-existent, therefore I directed my attention to my surroundings and the excellent Italian food with tastes that were exploding my mouth.

After a beautiful and elegant dinner, Christian settled the bill and he proposed for us to take a stroll through the centre of the city. I could not resist such an opportunity and I agreed to take a long walk with him.

After several minutes of walking I realised that my choice in shoes had not been wise that evening. The magnificent and gorgeous streets of Milan are somewhat uneven and walking with high heels was a challenge mentally as well as physically. Let’s just say that my feet were killing me.
All I could possibly do at that time was to look down at my feet while we were walking so that I could pay attention and concentrate not to trip and fall down.

We finally came to a stop and I heard Christian say: “Look up, Bella!” My eyes slowly left the focus from my feet on the ground moving upwards and feeling almost bedazzled by every second of upwards glance. My mouth fell open as my knees became weak. On the 19th of October 2010, 23:55 in the evening, 5 minutes before my 23rd birthday, I met and stood in front of the Duomo di Milano in the heart of Milan.
Complete satisfaction flowed over me, I felt peaceful and in love with the remarkable Cathedral right in front of me. The attention that had been directed to the enormous pain in my feet suddenly turned into little puffy clouds and it felt as if I was floating about in heaven.

My eyes were studying every single detail carved into the palace-shaped cathedral. Every single story written in the bible was carved into the outside marble, one enormous symbol of absolute passion, patience and love. Saints as well as angels is carved on top of this church and then finally visible on the highest top, is Mother Mary.
Tears were flowing slowly over my cheeks as I stood stunned, breath taken, grateful, in love and unbelievably happy.
The never ending flowing words spoken to me by my friend Christian still could not penetrate my ears; I was too lost in magic and thought. “Am I boring?”, he asked and my attention was directed suddenly back to him that left me somewhat annoyed before I replied; “No, it is just beautiful.”; “You can go inside during the day tomorrow but now, I want to take you back to the hotel because I must work tomorrow. We will meet here at lunch?” was his reply. I thought for a second and accepted his proposal for lunch the next day on my birthday.

The walk back to his car was not as painful for my feet like the first time because we took a shorter route.
The words spoken to me by my friend Christian was still going into one ear and flowing out of the other as my eyes and my brain were taking snapshots at the City every second, it was magical.
The car came to a stop and I realised that we were parked in front of the hotel. “Thank you Christian, I had a wonderful evening.” he was leaning forward towards me and I found myself outside of the car on my way up the stairs of the hotel. The sound of his car speeding away gave me relief because I kicked off my shoes immediately. I walked hastily into the lift and waited for it to take me to my floor. Entering my hotel room, I smiled and fell backwards onto the bed.
I felt in love with a City I knew nothing about, I felt excited knowing that I will be spending time in the most beautiful Cathedral I have ever seen in my life. I was peaceful and thinking about the evening, slowly drifting into my beauty sleep while my visually stimulated mind was processing all I had lived and seen that night.

I awoke the next morning with great optimism for a wonderful first day in beautiful Milan Italy and then I managed to get lost for a few hours. My friend forgot to tell me where the Metropolitana was or I simply neglected to ask, oh but it was wonderful getting lost, I tried to communicate and the older Italian nonna's helped me, they were so helpful, even still today. I could only say “ciao” and “buongiorno” and use some sign language so they took me by the hand into the correct direction, onto the correct bus, towards the correct Metro yellow line and after a while I found myself walking up one flight of stairs standing right in front of the Duomo, a big bright smile appeared on my face and I was in love again, I had a jolt of excitement rushing me forward towards the beautiful cathedral.

As I entered the inside of the Duomo my heart melted even more, it was enormous! The quadroni dangling along the nave from this magnificent cathedral depicting of the life and miracles was breath-taking. Every step I took deeper inside of this brilliant beauty gave me goose bumps knowing that I was walking through one of the biggest Cathedrals in Italy that took six Centuries for building completion. This Cathedral is a symbol of art, patience and passion.

A few meters of walking down the marble isles I saw a sculpture of Christ on the cross, in front of this sculpture was a long table of white candles where a person can pay a few cents for donation, take a white candle and burn it, then one has the option to sit on a wooden bench and pray. I took a candle, lit it then I retreated and sat on the bench and I prayed. Tears filled my eyes, gratitude filled my heart and I was enormously happy. I thanked God for granting me the opportunity to visit this magnificent city, for providing me with sight to see all the beautiful old century magic and to experience this City that stole my heart in an instant. Seeing how Archangel Michael as well as all other angels are drawn into the thin and long stained glass of the windows, sculptures and statues of Saints and angels, statues of mother Mary and Christ everywhere was overwhelming to my soul. Every sphere of this beautiful Cathedral had been more than magical to me, I felt so peaceful, in love with the surroundings and safe.
I sat in the Duomo for about 2 hours before I had to meet Christian.
I met him on the corner of via Torino, in front of the clothing store called Zara, a street and store visible from afar when standing in front of the Duomo.

We walked down Via Torino talking about my morning experiences and his work. I could see him better during day time.  He was much taller than me, my height is 1.6meters while his are 1.9meters. Seeing Christian and I together must have been similar as seeing David and Goliath. He was a very handsome, perfectly toned olive white skin Milanese Italian. Milanese; meaning that he was born and raised in Milan. The Milan born and raised Italians are very tall and slim - unlike the Italians born in the southern parts of Italy. Christian had brown eyes, perfectly straight teeth but he was going bold, very odd for his 29 years of age.  Christian was all and all actually very handsome.

We suddenly started to walk faster as Christian told me that we must get to lunch because he had a short amount of time before he had to go back to work.
I was looking and walking past a store called FNAC where Christian took my hand and lead me right over the street into Via San Maurillio, a street that is tiny but it is beautiful. I was noticing the brown/grey and warm stone shaped road then Christian opened a door on the left side of the street and I was looking at this beautiful tiny and warm restaurant filled with men dressed in black and white suits and I felt a bit underdressed. I had black trousers with a pearl pink top on, a thick leather belt, white and pink pearls and an enormous black Gucci bag. I looked funny. I suppose but the owner named Giacomo made me feel welcome immediately!!!!

When the wine arrived, Christian toasted on my birthday and we had lunch at Ronchi 78, for me the first time.
I had a very fascinating pasta dish, which tasted divine but I can for the life of it not remember the name. The pasta itself, I remember, was in the form of little balls.

As we were about to leave, I tripped and fell over the chair.  I felt ridiculous because I was clumsy and stared at by everybody, yet the owner made me feel better once again, he was smiling at me with big eyes and a face full of interest, it was somewhat overwhelming and made me blush as I looked down at the floor. While Christian and I were standing in front of Giacomo at the cash register I took out my wallet.  Giacomo looked at me in distress and told Christian to translate to me that women do not pay. Christian kindly translated to me what Giacomo told him and I nodded. 
Christian and the owner Giacomo had a quick discussion in Italian where I heard Christian telling Giacomo something about South Africa and I knew that Christian was explaining to him why I tried to pay in the first place, it was because I was not European. 
Giacomo had an even bigger smile on his face and he called me: "Miss Vuvuzela". I thought that it was very sweet of him to make me feel so comfortable, because the football world cup had been in South Africa earlier that year; the Vuvuzela is the typical South African soccer horn.

After lunch my friend had to go back to work again and told me to continue walking down via Torino, I did as I was told and I bought my first pistachio gelato, oh dear, it was divine, I was in heaven.
I was walking, tasting and my eyes were taking in the beauty around me when I then received a text message from my friend explaining to me that he does not want to see me again because I am not apparently his cup of tea; luckily I was still eating my Gelato so I did not care too much.
Afterwards I pondered about the situation, it was after all my birthday, I have at that moment only been in Italy for 24hours, not knowing how to get back to my hotel or where I actually was but when I found my way back to the Duomo I was grateful and I knew that I will manage to get around eventually.
I did not get angry at my friend, I was quite peaceful, my mind was at that moment still busy processing all the new around me so I could not really worry too much about him, but I forgave him at once and told him afterwards that it was alright, we could remain friends, but I could never be with him again because I would never be able to even think about doing to another what he had done to me, It was very rude and careless.
After that I never heard of him again I do hope he is blessed with goodness, wisdom, light and laughter though.

So it was still my birthday, and I found myself walking through a building called The Galleria. The beauty of the City Milan astonished me; every corner was like a new surprise for me as I would admire and appreciate like a child discovering something new and wonderful for the first time. I was walking and found myself standing in the Centre of the Galleria, noticing that it was a shopping square shaped in a little cross with four exits and within the centre is a very high and beautiful ceiling. I had the choice to go back towards the cathedral, to take left or right or to go straight ahead. I decided to walk straight and as I was walking through the galleria I found myself standing in Piazza Scala, saw the statue of Leonardo da Vinci and my heart leaped with joy once again.   I then decided to sit and stare at him for a while. Sitting in serenity at the feet of the statue of Leonardo da Vinci, I silently spoke to the statue in my head, saying:  "So, I guess it’s just you and me." I giggled at my silly self and decided to take a taxi back to my hotel where I had a lovely shower.

I then thought to myself:  “I am here for a month, why not make the most of it? 

I decided that I wanted to go out again that evening, it was after all still my birthday and I didn’t want to be all by myself in a strange city cooped up in a hotel room.  I found my way easily taking a bus to the Metro and made my way once again to the Duomo, where I looked starry eyed at this enormous beautiful Cathedral once again and my mind started to see the City alive for the first time. Being alone and unfamiliar, my mind made my surroundings magical.  At this point in time I felt it wise to stick to the things I knew and took a walk down Via Torino again, trying to remember where I had lunch with my friend that afternoon because it felt so warm and safe inside Ronchi78, I felt discouraged because I have been lost so many times in the last 24 hours, I almost felt like giving up! I did at least manage to buy a little map book the afternoon and only later on realized that the map book were written in Spanish. (Giggle)

While I was walking peacefully down Via Torino, my eyes caught a familiar sight -   the street of Ronchi78!  Ohhh, my heart started to race and I was so excited. I was so relieved that I finally could be with friendly people that I didn’t hesitate to enter this beautiful and warm restaurant that kept me curious and interested from the moment I set foot in it.
The kind waiter helped me, such a friendly person, he told me that he visited South Africa many years ago and that he liked it (hehehe). Giacomo, the owner, was standing behind the bar counter, still calling me “Miss Vuvuzela”

I was so happy because I felt safe, the atmosphere felt unbelievably peaceful, kind and loving, the people so warm and friendly, I was floating on a cloud called number 9. Giacomo looked confused because he saw me sitting peacefully in the corner table writing in my big leather dairy.  What made him confused was the fact that I was alone.

I looked at the remarkable and astonishing warm setting of this little place and suddenly a kind of magic took hold of my heart.  The colours of Ronchi78 are warm, elegant and welcoming. Wine bottles are packed on a thick and long top shelf by the left side wall, there are little windows that show the outside street and in-between the windows is the door.  At the right side of this little restaurant is a long and enormous bar counter, very classy and elegant.  On top of the far end of the bar counter is an old cash register, bronze, with huge, round buttons-like keys. It was absolutely old-time beautiful.  Between two long walls, the bar counter and the door, are wooden tables and chairs. It is a Toscana style type of atmosphere with a little extra elegance, comfort and style.
The little candles lit on every table brought about feelings of serenity, peace and romance.
Sitting in the little corner in Ronchi78, paying attention to every detail of this restaurant and allowing myself to feel how this little restaurant made me feel was overwhelming. I fell in love with Ronchi78 the evening on my birthday. The welcoming smile of Giacomo, the owner and the kindness of the head waiter, Massimo added to whatever I allowed myself to feel for this beautiful restaurant. 

I did not have a late evening there at Ronchi78 because I was unbelievably exhausted, thus I decided to retreat to my hotel early. The gentleman who was driving my taxi spoke to me in almost perfect English; while we spoke I mentioned to him that it was my birthday so he offered to take me out for a drink. I know in South Africa you could never accept such an invitation, but looking in his kind eyes and seeing only honesty, I kindly accepted and we went to a wine bar.  It was fun, he was kind and took me back to my hotel afterwards and explained to me how to take the metro back to my hotel during the day from the centre, what the street name was and all the little “have to know”  things. That night I went to bed, feeling happy knowing that as long as I knew how to get to Piazza Duomo and to Ronchi78, I would be alright…

The next morning after my birthday.....

I woke up optimistic about the day knowing how to properly travel from my hotel to the Metro.  I also knew Via Torino street but I had a problem, my laptop charger did not want to work in my hotel so I had to buy a universal charger. I had no idea where to go.
I started at the basic shops to gather information as to where I can find a proper electronics store and I found myself walking into a Supermarket. There were obviously no chargers but every helpful Italian that could speak “poko poko Inglese” directed me to a store called FNAC. 
FNAC is a large electronics store situated right down Via Torino and across FNAC is Via San Maurillio Street, the street of Ronchi78.
Once again I did not know this information, I walked with my GPS all day finding places, and when the employees in FNAC told me that they were sold out, my optimism levels dropped and therefore I decided to play on the Wii Party in store. It was amazingly similar to Zumba.  I want a Wii Party WOHOOOO!!!! A while after I have danced, giggled, laughed and amused everyone with shaking my butt cheeks on the Wii Party, I took the exit out of FNAC. I magically floated into Via San Maurillio and I found myself back inside Ronchi78.
It is like “all roads lead to Ronchi78”.
I entered and Giacomo told me that my friend Christian was downstairs having lunch.  My heart immediately stopped for a second on the spot and then I shook my head using hand signalling to say: "no thank you", "I want to be by myself."  Giacomo was talking so loud it was impossible for Christian not to hear him; he then nodded to me fast closing both his eyes after the last nod as if he was agreeing happily and understanding at the same time.
I was sitting in the far corner of Ronchi close to the kitchen and decided to have lunch, it was wonderful, I cannot exactly remember what dish I had it was too long ago to remember but no meal coming from the kitchen from Ronchi had ever tasted terrible. 
I saw when my friend Christian descended from the bottom of my new best restaurant on the planet and I became amused that there was a bottom section too. I was curious how it looked downstairs in Ronchi but I was too shy to ask Giacomo, so I rather played it safe in my corner.
Christian noticed me and I looked away quick to avoid eye contact. I looked up and Giacomo was looking at me from behind the cash register while Christian was paying and he pointed with a finger toward Christian again signalling to me if I do not want to speak to him, my head moved quickly left and right letting him know that it is still a NO, and he nodded once again with a smile on his face.
As Christian was walking away he turned to look at me and I returned my eyes to the table, determined not to have any eye contact with Christian or to even make room for uncomfortable conversation.
He left and I sipped on my glass of red wine winding down my lunch peacefully, writing in my leather Dairy some notes on writing my first book. 
Time was nearing 3pm and I was still scribbling in my dairy.

Massimo came to my table and told me that Ronchi will be closing at 3pm but they would be re-opening at 8 pm that night. I blushed as I looked into the direction where Giacomo was looking at me making the Vuvuzela sound smiling warmly at me. I gathered up all my things and placed it safely into my bag reaching for my wallet and moving towards the cash register. I had been alone and this time so I had to pay but I was very happy about it because I could tease Giacomo about the fact that I am a woman that was about to pay. I called over to Massimo, asked him to translate for me because I wanted to say something to Giacomo. He agreed immediately and all that I said was; "You see; now I pay". I gave a little giggle to declare that I got my way. 
Giacomo looked at me with a grin, amused and annoyed at the same time as if being defeated but then he smiled and said; "Only 10 Euro". I was a little confused because I know that the amount had to be more, Oh well I won half way. I did not exactly know how to argue my case with Giacomo to pay my full and correct amount because he could not speak much English so I nodded and gave him the amount he asked for. We both had a sense of challenge and fun with that experience and I felt amused. I then moved towards the door greeting them all as I exited Ronchi. 

Standing outside of Ronchi was Christian and his best friend waiting for me. I almost went into shock as my friend Christian tried to have a conversation with me and I walked backwards almost knocking a lady on a bicycle over. I then turned to look at Christian and said; "ciao" with enormous feelings of embarrassment once again. 
When I walked into Via Torino I realised that I was still without a notebook charger, I made a sigh in discouragement and took the metro back to my hotel giving up on my universal charger quest. 
I was walking down Via San Carlo towards the direction of my hotel and I suddenly noticed an electronics store. Surprisingly this was a shop with a universal charger, so I baught one and went back to my hotel room and it worked perfectly.
I was exhausted and I felt odd, I had the feeling of missing everybody at Ronchi78 already so I had to have supper there again that evening, besides it was a Thursday, why would I want to stay in and write? The thought of seeing them excited me just to let them know about my experiences since I arrived, but of course,  communication was a problem and so I told myself that it was time to self-study Italiano.

I went back to Ronchi78 that evening about 9pm and as I entered Giacomo made his vuvuzela signal immediately, almost as if he had been expecting me. It was absolutely adorable and I was happy. It somehow felt like home, like family, warm and happy unconditional acceptance as well as unconditional love, everything felt so right.
I was peacefully sitting in my corner trying to self-study Italiano when two men entered the restaurant. I felt shy because I noticed how these two strangers and Giacomo were speaking fast in Italian and looking towards me at times. I felt like leaving but a magnet pulled me down, keeping me rooted onto my chair. The taller stranger of the two was very handsome, he had light blond/brown hair, a perfectly toned face and his posture was elegant. He also seemed arrogant and like he thought the sun was shining from his bottom but he glanced and smiled in my direction and I blushed unwillingly.
He then started to move towards me slowly and I began to panic, not knowing if I should run. He stood confidently in front of the table, looking at me with a bottle of wine in his hand and topped up my wine glass. He then moved slowly back to the bar counter to join Giacomo and his other friend.
I was speechless but I relaxed and started to write again in my dairy, looking up solemnly when this tall and handsome stranger came to top up my wine glass all of the time pretending to play waiter over me.

After what was about an hour, getting topped up with vino by the tall, generous, possibility to be friend or acquaintance stranger, I almost went into shock as he and his friend sat down at my table to talk to me. Obviously I was feeling a little too relaxed after a few glasses of wine thus going in to shock could not be an option and therefore I decided to speak to them. What else could I do, they were sitting right in the front as well as next to me so my choices at that time had been limited.
I felt relieved after I heard the first word exiting this tall and handsome Italian's mouth, it was English and I was more than willing to talk at that point. 

"My name is San Carlo" he seductively introduced himself to me "and this is my friend San Marco, What is your name?” A few things went through my mind before I answered because I know that San before a name means Saint and I knew that these two strangers were no saints. I was not willing to give my knowledge away so I stayed naive and replied: "That is beautiful, pleased to meet you, my name is Marilette". They thought for a moment then the next half an hour turned into a pronunciation game, called "how to pronounce Marilette", eventually I became somewhat annoyed and told them that my second name is Barbara, also commonly woman name in Italy.  Phewww… finally the conversation changed from how to say my name into something worthwhile talking about. 
"Where are you from and why are you in Milano"? San Carlo asked, "I am from South Africa and I don’t know any more why I am in Milan", that was my only response to him. He tilted his head backwards looking at Giacomo most probably exchanging a glance towards Giacomo I could not read because I could not read his facial expression with his face turned away from me. Giacomo gave a grin back towards him and I really still did not know what the secret sign language was about. He turned his head and face back towards me and asked me why I love Milan and Ronchi, I then explained to him that what the Duomo meant to me and how I felt entering Ronchi78. He laughed out loud realizing that I love Milan because of the Cathedral and not because of fashion. According to them I was unique and strange. With my long brown hair, big round and long eyes with the colour not exactly set, changing according to my emotions and puffy pink lips completely born with and all natural, to them I was nothing out of the ordinary. One can assume for me being in Milan for a modelling contract but my interests, passions, experiences and depth of heart spoke differently. 

San Carlo supposedly according to my appearance assumed that I fit the profile for being in Milan but realised that my interests were not exactly what was normal according to Milan standard so he told me to visit some Cities in Italy. He also noticed that I was self-studying Italian and suggested to go to a school on a 2 weeks course for my month intended stay. I listened and valuably stored all the information he had told me. 

I was having fun talking to San Carlo and his friend until I heard music drifting upwards from downstairs of Ronchi. My attention shifted immediately from my company towards the amazing fun filled melodies filling my ears and spoke volumes to my soul. 
I packed my study material away and I asked Giacomo if I may go downstairs. He smiled, nodded his head up and down and replied "Si".

Downstairs I saw the singer in the corner, with lots of people just having fun.  Apparently that night it was Musica dal vivo, a form of karaoke.  Everybody was hovering around the singer in the corner, singing from their stomachs and they were all happy, being festive, it was magical..... I was standing on the stairs seeing the happy smiles and the joy, the laughter, the love and I fell in love with Ronchi78 completely right at that moment unconditionally, so much love filled my core being I became emotional, my heart filled with so much joy, tears poured down my cheeks with happiness, knowing that if I am not going to be part of this forever I will not exist. I knew already by then that if I had to leave ever I will die of a broken heart!!!! 
That night I realised that I was blessed with two magical gifts on my 23rd Birthday:   the Cathedral - my beautiful Duomo - as well as Ronchi78 and the strange fact was that I entered both of them on my birthday. I cried again out of gratitude.

On the 22st of October 2010 my heart was lost unconditionally on a number of people I hardly knew. What I love about the Italian language is, is that some things should be left unquestioned. Just accept things as they are without asking why?

I felt so passionate about Ronchi78 at that time because my last happy memory as a family died at the age of nine. Being given everything, also struggling and battling life, taking worry as well as responsibility onto my shoulders as a really young child, just trying to survive and to keep sane with all the bad that had happened and to try smiling trough all these experiences.
I did survive I did pull through and I am too grateful and happy today because I have seen and lived through the worst already. If it was not for God I would have not been here today, I am so grateful.

I fell in love with a Region I love more than windsurfing, with a warm Italian family restaurant I always imagined family to be like and have, and a cathedral considered a masterpiece and an art in so many forms, I cannot imagine living without... I am more in love with Ronchi78 and I cannot imagine a world without the People, without the guests and without the Festivity.
I have never experienced a Restaurant in my life with so much passion for excellent cuisine, wines, music, singing, festivity and so much warm and loving openness.

My heart was stolen and I did not even want it back..... Keep it forever and another day.


Chapter 2: Roma

MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL "Ain't no Mountain High Enough"

Jaded - Aerosmith

Chapter 4: Scuola Italiano and the meeting

Chapter 4: Scuola Italiano and the meeting

Having breakfast in my hotel the next morning, I felt optimistic about the day. It was a Tuesday knowing that, that evening would be Musica dal Vivo at Ronchi78 hahahaha, I am hopeless I know, Mamma mia, and I will be going to my new found Italian school  in the morning.

I collected my bag from my hotel room and headed out but first to Piazza dal Duomo to feed the fortunate pigeons maize and then to spend some time inside of the Cathedral - simply to give gratitude. 
Time flew by and I noticed that it was 11am, time to find the Italian school of which I had no idea where it was.  All I knew was that it is in the centre of Milan and I had a street address and I used my phone to navigate me towards my desired destination. 
I thought that I was going to get lost or that the walk would be long but it took me 10 minutes to get to the school from Pizza dal Duomo. I was very impressed as well as satisfied with the time duration. 

I spoke to the secretary at the counter and she handed me all the forms, I signed up and paid for an every Monday to Friday 2 weeks Italian course. I was handed my books as well as my schedule and then I had to write a small test for them to know in which class I had to be placed in. They realised that my Italian had been quite bad so I was placed into the beginner’s class. My first lessons started only the next day but after I was signed up I was relieved.
I left the school that day after 3:30pm, a little sad because I could not share my news with everybody at Ronchi and have lunch there but I knew that I would see them that same evening.

While I was walking around Milan after exiting my new school, I secretively smiled everywhere I went, because it felt like I was that woman from the series Sex and the City, the only difference was, was that I came from another country and I did not have any girlfriends yet hahahaha...... 
Now in my magical mind, I am saying "I want my girlfriends, my sex and the city type of girlfriends", (giggle). I felt content, happy and optimistic. Things were starting to fall slowly into place, except that I needed an apartment as soon as possible.   
I had been browsing through apartments for quite some time on my computer and I sent requests to the owners of the apartments for the possibility for me to view the apartments. I was satisfied with my daily manifestations and I felt very peaceful. I then decided to just lay on my bed for a moment, looked out of my bedroom window, rolled onto my side and saw my Jamie Oliver cook book lying underneath all of my new study material on the desk. A sudden inspiration filled my core and I felt like I wanted to give my Jamie Oliver Italian cook book as a gift that night to Giacomo. I really hoped that he would like it.

Later that evening it was time for Ronchi78 again, ahhhh I just light up when I go there or just think about going there. Amo Ronchi78. I was sitting on the Metro train on my way to the Duomo station and I noticed a woman standing in the corner of the train with her back towards everybody. She had very high heels on with torn stockings, a very short skirt and a leather jacket. I thought that she might be cold and assumed that she was a lady of the night. She turned around and I saw that her neck was thicker and with an Adams apple with a male’s face and a lot of make up on. I had a shock and immediately the song popped into my head "Dude looks like a lady" by Aerosmith. If he had not turned around I would have thought that it was a woman. It was truly a unique sight to my eyes. After that I could not get the song out of my mind for the whole evening. Ehehehe people are very amusing, different strokes for different folks.  

As I entered Ronchi78, San Carlo was there again as well as Giacomo.  It was busy but as always, MAGICAL.
Massimo approached me with an enormous welcome and placed the menu onto my table. I never knew what to order because it was all in Italian so I asked Massimo what he would suggest. He went through the smaller meals with me and explained a type of cheese decorated with a mango on the top. I said immediately yes to that. My glass was filled with delicious red wine; a basket of bread was placed onto my table with a bottle of aqua frizzante. 
I had no idea when to give Giacomo his gift and decided to keep it hidden until later on in the evening. I then took out my new study material and began to read through it to prepare for Italian school the next day. 

San Carlo walked slowly past my table and picked up my Italian handbook I received from school. He browsed through it and took it over to Giacomo. Giacomo and San Carlo browsed through the book together and seemed impressed. San Carlo called over to me and asked me if I was attending school. "Yes, I am starting tomorrow" I replied and Giacomo had the expression on his face like he was in heaven. He looked so proud and happy that I wanted to learn how to speak Italian.  I adored Giacomo so much at that moment as if he was a guardian angel to me. San Carlo then took a bottle of wine from the corner counter of the bar and topped up my wine glass again. I thought it was odd but I just went with it. 

My meal then arrived at my table and I kindly thanked Massimo, "All ok?" he asked and I replied with a kind "Yes, thank you." followed by a warm smile. I looked at the dish in front of me and I thought that it looked absolutely incredible, the white and soft square shaped Robiola cheese was topped with a rose shaped mango drizzled with red syrup decorated with berries.
The first taste I took of this incredible looking cheese sent me into the clouds, the taste of this cheese was a little sweet, creamy and gently melts in ones mouth with the first touch of it on the tongue, flowing to every part of my mouth, tickling and satisfying my taste buds in every single way, leaving behind a cold sensation after every bite. Ahhhhh, every bite I took my eyes widened with just loving every single taste of this perfect cheese, Buonissimo!!!!! 

After the meal I was not interested to study any further in my corner table, music down stairs had begun and I just wanted to listen and relax. I packed away my reading material and Giacomo had a tense expression on his face. He whispered something to Massimo the waiter and Massimo then asked me if I am leaving. "No, I’m not leaving, I want to listen to the music, is it ok if I go listen?" I asked Massimo, "Yes!!!!" he replied and went back to Giacomo, spoke fast to him in Italian and Giacomo sighed in relief while his smile returned. I thought that Giacomo was really adorable.
The music was incredible, in Italian, I could not understand a word but it was exciting, sung from the hearts of all the Italians present and it made my heart sing with unconditional feelings of pure joy. 
Later on I noticed that the guests could choose a song to sing and the musician would play the song melody on his guitar. It was like a live karaoke. I wanted to sing too but I felt too unfamiliar and shy at that time, I was not sure if the musician knew how to play English songs. I went back upstairs and asked Massimo to translate to Giacomo, "Do you know the song: Stars shining bright above you, knight breezes seems to whisper, I love you, Birds singing in the sycamore tree, dream a little dream of me...." I sang the song because I could not remember the name, I was too excited, Massimo translated and knew the name of the song:  Mamas and papas - dream a little dream of me. Giacomo stood still looking at me then he told Massimo, "Lei a appasionato." Massimo and Giacomo both smiled and shook their heads up and down then Massimo replied to me that they do know the song. I did not find the courage to sing that night. I remembered that I have Italian school the next day and it was almost 12:00pm. The last metro train that took me back towards my hotel left at 12:00pm and I could not miss it. 
I took my bag, retrieved my wallet and the Jamie Oliver book for Giacomo. I explained to Massimo to translate to Giacomo that I want him to have my cook book as a gift. Giacomo took the book, he browsed through it and it looked as if he wanted to cry. He left the bar counter for a moment and walked towards the kitchen, not looking at me.  Then he returned and said:  "Thank you." I stood still looking at him and he knew that I wanted to pay, he said: "10 Euro's." I was confused again, it was impossible for the bill to be only 10 Euro's. I could not argue, I was going to be late for my train. I gave the money and ran out. Massimo yelled after me "See you tomorrow?", "Si Si" I agreed and I was gone.

I entered my hotel room feeling happy and content, I felt fortunate too because Ronchi have always been so open and welcoming towards me although I could not even communicate with any of them properly yet, it was just a meeting of many hearts and just the way things were. It was magical and I felt bedazzled.

                                                 *****

"This is the work station where the students can go online"; the lady said, giving me a small tour of the Italian school. I was interested but a little annoyed; I just wanted to start learning already, ufff.
The clock stroke 10am and I was sitting on a chair at a desk surrounded by a few other students:  Anna from New Zealand, Martha from Poland and Daniel from Germany. We all became well acquainted and we all felt a sense of bonding. The Italian teacher had a wonderful time because I was very joyful and made jokes and giggled throughout the school time. Martha, Anna, Daniel and I became friends quickly and planned lunches as well as outings together after school times. I was really happy, it was perfect.

One day during School break I asked my new friends if they would like to join me for lunch at my favourite restaurant in Milan, Martha and Anna have already made other plans but Daniel accepted my invitation. 

After school Daniel and I were on our way to Ronchi78, Giacomo already expected me because I had lunch there every day after school doing my homework. As we entered, Giacomo only paid attention to me and showed me that my table had been set and ready for me. He then turned towards Daniel and realised that Daniel had entered with me. He looked at me, back at Daniel and his facial expression had been everything but kind. He pulled his lips into a forced smile with his eyes showing his disapproval and said: "Congratula.....tions." He then called over to Massimo to reset my already placed table for other guests and told Massimo fast in Italian to take Daniel and me downstairs. We were placed in a far end inside a tiny corner. 
Giacomo was not happy at all and Massimo looked a little disappointed and nervous too.
I felt a little uneasy and sad because Giacomo was angry and Massimo was disappointed. I had to find a way to let Giacomo and Massimo know that Daniel was not my boyfriend, not even a lover, he was a friend from school and he had a wonderful Girlfriend who is an employee at IKEA in Milan.

Daniel and I had a beautiful lunch talking about School, what we had learned and the beautiful City of Milan. 
Time flew by and it was time for us to leave and almost time for Ronchi to close for the afternoon. 
Daniel and I spoke and slowly made our way upstairs to the bar where Giacomo had been. We were standing in front of Giacomo and he was looking at us in annoyance. I so badly wanted to pay, in that way Giacomo would know that Daniel was not my boyfriend. I took out my wallet and Daniel told me to put my wallet away because he would pay. I could see the blood rushed into Giacomo's face from being angry: "30 Euro's", Giacomo told Daniel with a satisfied look on his face accompanied with a satisfied grin. I noticed Daniel became red in the face with a shocked facial expression, so I took my wallet out again and offered to pay half. Daniel was persistent and told me that he would take care of it. I felt embarrassed and promised myself that I will never take a male friend to Ronchi78 again. It was too much stress for me to handle.
I knew that that night entering Ronchi alone Giacomo will realise that Daniel was not my boyfriend and I can possibly explain to Massimo to translate to Giacomo the truth. 
Daniel and I left Ronchi78, as I closed the door behind me Giacomo looked after us with a sad facial expression and I almost cried. "I have to fix the misunderstanding tonight" I told myself in my mind...

That evening I entered Ronchi, My table in my corner had been set, there was a few other customers having dinner and Giacomo was not there. I felt sad, whatever damage control I could have done, had not been possible. 
I took out my homework and started to study Italian. Massimo arrived at my table and poured me a glass of wine. He stood still next to me asking me where my friend was, my response was that he was with his girlfriend and that he was simply a friend from school. Massimo gave a sigh of relief, "Ok Ok, so you and him is not together?” “No Massimo, not at all!”  “He is a good friend and his girlfriend works for IKEA.” I replied. "Ok, ok, ho capito!” Massimo then smiled and walked away. 
After a while the telephone rang in Ronchi and Massimo answered, He was looking at me while he was talking and he said something like "si lei e qui ma lui non e di fidnanzato, solo amico della scuola." Massimo then laughed at whomever he was speaking to over the phone and the call came to an end. 
I had my Robiola cheese, drank another glass of wine and the clock was nearing 12:00pm again. 
I went to the bar to pay by Massimo and Massimo said, "No tonight you don’t pay, tomorrow, tomorrow!", "But why?" I asked Massimo, "Vuvuzela go sleep."
I was tired yes and I left. 


"Do you want to come to a Musica dal vivo with me on Friday night?" I asked my friends. Martha, Anna and Daniel agreed and Daniel did me a favour just by agreeing. He said that his girlfriend would also like to come and she is very interested to meet us all. Ahhhhh I gave a sigh in relief knowing that I can prove to Ronchi that Daniel was not my boyfriend at all. I was very relieved, happy and I could not wait for Friday evening to arrive. 

Giacomo had not been in Ronchi for the rest of the week; I booked a table with Massimo for us for the Friday night and asked Massimo where Giacomo was, "He is not feeling well, he is resting." I sighed and told Massimo to tell Giacomo that he had to get well soon.
The rest of my week had been simple, I went to school, Ronchi78, the Duomo, walked around the city, went back to my hotel room to study some more, Took a shower got dressed and went back to Ronchi. I had a routine, it was wonderful and when Friday arrived my heart was fluttering.
I entered Ronchi and Giacomo was healthy and back, I was so relieved. "Where are your friends?” Massimo asked me and I explained to him that they would only arrive later. 
I sat and had a wine, about an hour passed and I was still sitting sipping on wine. "Where are you guys?" I texted everyone, "We are in Brera having an apperativo, meet us here then we can all go together to Musica dal vivo." I walked over to Massimo and asked him where Brera was, "Noooo, it is too far away, you must take the red line and it is far outside Milan." Massimo lied. "Tell your friends to meet you here." I believed Massimo that Brera was far away so I texted Daniel back that I was waiting for them at Ronchi78. 

Finally everybody entered, and I introduced all my friends to Giacomo highlighting the introduction of Daniel my friend and his girlfriend. Giacomo smiled broadly at me and nodded in approval. I was finally happy. Giacomo and Massimo were happy. All of my friends had a beautiful night and everything was perfect again. 

THE MEETING

The weekend was absolutely wonderful, Anna and I walked around the City, we went for lunch and had apperativo's, then we went to her apartment to study some more Italian and luckily she loved Ronchi78 so much that she decided that she will join me there for dinner the following Teasday night.
Sunday evening I was looking for apartments all day and I found one at a reasonable price. The owner of the apartment was not in the country and I needed to look at the apartment first and that is where I left the response email at.

Tuesday evening finally arrived, and I was off to meet Anna at her apartment before we went to Ronchi. I did not book a table because Tuesday nights had not been busy. 
As Anna and I entered Ronchi78 it was packed, there was no table open. Giacomo looked at me and lifted his hands up letting me know in body language that there was no space for us but then he signalled me to come closer to the bar and wait. 
He poured a glass of champagne for Anna and me to relax until a table opened up for us. 
I was standing and sipping on my champagne, talking with Anna and my head tilted back to Giacomo. 
Giacomo was looking at a table behind me signalling to a person sitting at that table with his eyes "this is her". His eyes moved from the table behind me, to me and back to that table again. I looked over my shoulder turning slightly towards the direction Giacomo was signalling at and I looked straight into big brown eyes. A man, stared at me back into my eyes at the same time.  He had a shocked look on his face and I smiled kindly back, never breaking eye contact.
"WoW now that's a beautiful man and he looks like Al Pacino" I thought to myself. We broke eye contact and I directed my attention back at Anna. We were talking joyfully and waited patiently for a table to open. 
It had not been 5 minutes and a table had been set for us right next to Al Pacino look-alike's table. 

I felt a little embarrassed because I noticed that Ronchi was filled with mostly only men staring at me that night and I wondered what was going on. Al Pacino stared at me many times and smiled at me, he was breath-taking. I felt drawn to him instantly like I felt drawn to Giacomo, but this was another type of feeling. 
You could feel his presence, strong, independent King Lion spirit.  He was elegantly dressed and looked relaxed and at home in Ronchi. 
His gaze was like a magnet, perfectly olive toned Italian flawless skin, Thick dark brown and healthy hair, big brown eyes and he moved graciously. He was overwhelming, tall, built like a healthy and fit man. This man had my interest, and kept my interest. I was curious and blown away.
Every time he smiled at me with his side grin I blushed. This was no man I had ever met before, I felt like I was in a movie.

Anna and I finished our meals and as I looked towards the kitchen side and I had a vision, I saw myself dressed in an elegant new aged designed 60's dress walking down a flight of stairs into Ronchi greeting the guests. It was Ronchi but everything looked different, the stairs that I was walking down from was not even there, it was a very fast and clear picture in my head and it shocked me. 
Anna turned to me and told me that she felt tired and wanted to go home. I wanted to stay so I walked with her to the bar where Giacomo was standing, Giacomo looked confused and as if he was going to go into a panic while he was looking at me, "you go now?", "No, no.  She is going, I am staying to listen to some more music.” I said pointing a finger at Anna.  Giacomo sighed in relief and said: "ok ok". I accompanied Anna outside and we greeted until we had to meet the next morning at school. 

I went inside very quickly and went to sit in my corner to have a glass of wine before heading down stairs. That night I was going to sing, Mamas and Papas - the song called: dream a little dream of me.
I gave a last glance and a smile towards Al Pacino and I felt somewhat sad. I had never seen him before at Ronchi and I thought that I would never perhaps see him again. I sighed and thought that perhaps one day our paths may cross again.

I went down stairs and I sang, without music because the artists could not play my desired song. The crowd was large and as I started to sing everyone went quiet, listening intently. After I sang applause came from all around the bottom of Ronchi, I was happy so my heart could sing and my vocals could open in ease. It was my absolute pleasure.

I went back upstairs and sat with Giacomo, we were just communicating in sign language and sometimes with the help of Massimo. 
It was about 2am and the last of the guests were leaving, I helped Giacomo fold some tablecloths and packing things away, I wanted to because he either does not want me to pay or he asks too little. He enjoyed it; he sighed and laughed silently finding my helping presence joyful. 
The artists were emerging from the bottom where they had played and congratulated me on my singing. They translated for Giacomo and Giacomo could not understand, he asked them what I sang and they told him that I just sang on the microphone Mamas and Papas because they couldn’t play it. 

Giacomo looked shocked; he could not believe what he was hearing. He then asked if it was good and they said it was brilliant. Ahhhh Italians are so generous with compliments. I had fun; I loved every moment from seeing Al Pacino, singing to helping Giacomo. It was a magical night that I will never forget.

The next Tuesday evening when I entered Ronchi I arrived quite late and all I wanted to do was to do my Italian homework, have some wine and my Robiola cheese. There was not a soul in Ronchi and no artist was playing either. The only presence was Massimo. Massimo came to me making jokes as if he was supposed to keep me entertained.
I ordered my Robiola cheese and it was not brought to me. After an hour, almost at 11pm I asked Massimo where my meal was and he said that it was coming. The phone rang, he answered and looked at me while he was speaking, I could understand a word but I realised hat he was confirming to the person on the other end of the line that I was there. I did not pay too much attention to that because Giacomo normally called to check if I was there in the evenings. 
After the quick phone call, Massimo started to move the tables into one long table that blocked me into my corner. I could not exit the door or go to the bathroom. I was somewhat frightened and started to pack away my things to go. Massimo was in a panic, "No No, stay, wait." he asked me, "Wait for the football team, Giacomo too!", "What?” I replied. Massimo said nothing further; he was starting to set the table. I had no choice; I sat back down, placed my IPod nanno on and listened to very loud music in my ears. I took out my Italian books again and my Dairy because I felt nervous. "Is the owner of the restaurant in a football team? Are they football players that own this restaurant?" I was asking myself. I had no Idea what was going on and I felt frightened. I kept myself glued to my seat. I had no other choice. 

The door opened, I saw Giacomo and Al Pacino entering followed by many other men. As Giacomo and Al Pacino entered, they looked straight at me. Al Pacino sat at the end of the long table about a meter away from where I was sitting and Giacomo sat right next to him with his back to the bar facing me in my corner. The rest of the men seated themselves and their first plates were placed on the table followed by my Robiola cheese. 

Once I received my cheese I was relieved. At that time I was starving and the first taste sent me to heaven again. I was moving my head to the beat of the music in my earphones unknowingly, something I always do.
After my robiola was finished, Massimo came to take my plate, I looked up and paid attention to what amusement I created to my long table of Italian men in suits. They were smiling at me as if thinking that I was the most adorable person in the world. 
Al Pacino stood up and walked over to my table. "What is this?" he pointed to the earphones in my ears. "Ahhhhh Thank God, he speaks English!!!!" I thought to myself, I smiled at him and told him that it was my little IPod "Look!" I pointed towards my little IPod on my collar. 
He smiled and it seemed like he was giggling with joy from the inside of his chest. I liked it very much; he had the most beautiful smile. 
He returned back to his seat still glaring at me with a beautiful and amused smile.
I felt somewhat shy, this man had an impact on me no man has ever had before and I did not even know him. I had no idea who he was; all I knew was that we had intense eye contact the Tuesday before and that he was part of the evening’s football team.

I sat and stared at the football team for a moment, my heart started to fill with compassion clearly visible through my eyes as I watched all of these Italian men, talking, being festive together, smiling and laughing, the sight was beautiful to me and it made me feel happy, safe and content. I cared for them all unconditionally in a second, don’t ask why? It just happened.
Sitting there the whole night caged in, had an impact on my bladder and I suddenly had a need to go to the ladies room. "If I stand up all of their attention will be on me and I will need to ask Al Pacino to allow me pass to get to the bathroom." I was contemplating in my mind. I sighed and thought that; "Well if I do not get up and go to the bathroom I will wet my chair and that will be more embarrassing than being shy." 
I stood up and all attention was directed at me so I smiled, it’s all I could do. Al Pacino stood up from his chair; "Where do you want to go?" he asked kindly with a smile. I blushed and I told him that I just wanted to go to the bathroom. He moved his chair a little inwards for me to pass.  

I went back to my seat and decided to study some Italian again; I took out my books and my leather Dairy. 
A short while afterwards Giacomo called over to me, I looked up and he was signalling me to come and sit with Al Pacino and himself and to bring my Italian book. 
A rush of blood flowed to my face, I felt nervous but I accepted the invitation.
I picked up my Italian book and headed over to the open seat next to Al Pacino and I simply smiled.
Al Pacino was laughing with joy from the inside of his chest again, this time with no sound. I giggled after seeing him doing this because it was beautiful, when my giggle was heard Giacomo and Al Pacino started to laugh. They seemed very happy, joyful and adoring me, I loved it to see them like that, yet I don’t know why.
Al Pacino started off introducing me to the football team, "Do you know the Godfather?" "Yes I replied happily, Al Pacino!” he looked at Giacomo, "Hey she knows." Giacomo smiled brightly shaking his head up and down agreeing with Pacino. "I am the stunt double for Al Pacino, see we look the same." I nodded believing this statement but felt sad, "Oh noooo not another man in the film industry." I thought to myself, I travelled with the Hollywood film industry with my ex-boyfriend who was a special effects technician. We were on set on the making of Blood Diamond and then again with the movie called Rendition. My relationship with my previous boyfriend did not work out at all, it was terrible.
"This is Giacomo, you know him, this is Beppe he is a Pimp, and he gave all funny professions to the rest of the football team." I realised that the stranger the professions became that he was joking and I sighed in relief. 
"So are you two friends?" Pacino asked me and Giacomo, we smiled and nodded yes to him. Pacino was staring at both Giacomo and me noticing that we really cared about each other without proper communication. He liked it but he also didn't like it. Pacino lowered his head and slid his right hand through his thick dark brown healthy hair, staring into an unknown distance and then he directed his attention back to me.

"Are you studying Italian?"; "Yes", he took my Italian handbook and he browsed through it. He looked impressed, he smiled, the he asked; "Do you want an Italian lesson?” ehehehehe I giggled and replied a joyful yes to him, he was adorable. 
Pacino paged to the first lesson of my handbook; "Ey Ciao, this is how you greet informally, to a friend or a person on the street, Buongiorno signore or signora, is how you greet in a formal way." he explained placing the true Italian tone and hand gestures with it. Ehehehehe, I already knew this because I had learned it the first day in Italian school but I smiled so brightly and nodded back to him. 
Pacino looked bedazzled with my smile and he became more like a 16 year old boy with every passing second, a 16 year old boy that found a treasure for a first time, knowing that it was out there and finally found it. 
"Why do you love Milan?", "I love the Duomo and Ronchi." I replied. He lit up like a candle after my truthful response. "You are from Sud Africa?", "Yes."; "What are you writing in your dairy?” I didn’t realise that he had noticed me writing in it at all, "I am writing a book."; "About what?" he asked curiously. "I am writing a book about health in all areas of one’s life, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual combined with the law of attraction." His eyes widened in shock wondering how a young girl like me can write a book about health. "I want to read this book when you are finished with it." he requested, "ok." I replied with a smile. "Do you want to know the folklore of the Duomo?", "Yes."
Al Pacino had an excitement at that moment, he was happy, truly happy. 

"Every morning when the sun Rises, it shines onto the Madonna on top of the Duomo and all the people in the City starts to run around very quickly to get to work, they say it is the presence of Maria that this happens.", my eyes widened in shock and amusement; "REALLY?" I asked out loud, Pacino could not hold back anymore, he giggled out loud with pure joy replying to me "Yes, I will not lie to you.", "Ahhhhh Bellissima!!!" I responded and the whole football team was laughing with joy, and I blushed profusely. 
Pacino then stood up from his chair, still laughing and he went around the bar to pour himself a drink, "What do you want to drink?" he asked me smiling brightly and with diamonds in his eyes. "Vino rosso, per favore." I responded to him, still blushing.
He poured me a glass of wine and brought it to me.

After everyone settled again I went back to my table. Most of the football team left and Giacomo went home too. It was only Al Pacino and a few others that had stayed behind to play cards and Massimo cleared the tables.
It was after 1am and I was tired, I needed to get a taxi to my Hotel before 2am. I packed up my things and greeted everybody who stayed behind, "When are you leaving back to South Africa?" Al Pacino asked me before I could open the door to leave, my heart sighed, I was hoping for this apartment I arranged but before I can count my chickens before they have hatched I needed to tell him the bad news, "In 3 days, this Friday." I replied. His face turned into complete sadness as if his heart was breaking into millions of pieces, seeing him hurt like that sent a pain into my chest like I was being stabbed simultaneously over and over again. I could not handle it and then I was out the door like Flash and I had to run to the Duomo to be in time to get the last taxi driving for the evening.

All went well, I arrived at my hotel and I went straight to bed, a little worried but bedazzled and content, "Ahhhhh I love Ronchi". I rolled onto my side thinking that I do not know Al Pacino’s real name and that had been my last thoughts before I fell into a deep and peaceful beauty sleep.

marilette barbara van Heerden

Chapter 3: Confession. Shortest Chapter In Ronchi78 Manuscript... Last sneak preview :-D

Chapter 3: Confession

"Oh dear!" I sighed; I was lost in the streets of Milan once again.... I was panic stricken at that moment, every street I turned into seemed unfamiliar and I felt like I was busy walking away from the Centre of the City. I stopped dead in my tracks and took a couple of deep breaths simply to recollect my thoughts. Somewhere in my memory I remembered a slight hint that was told to me but when the advice was given at the time, I did not pay too much attention. 
I remembered that I was told that when I found myself lost, I must simply follow the direction in which the Duomo is located because the Cathedral is the centre. Milan is like a circle. The Duomo being the centre of it and all and the little streets flow through and around it. 
I then started to walk back towards where I came from and followed only one type of direction, within less than 15 minutes I found myself in a familiar street but I was not too positive, I walked and walked and there the statue of Leonardo Da Vinci stood. I sighed out loud in relief and I decided that all I wanted to do at that time was to sit peacefully inside of the Cathedral and feel serene. 

My heart gave a leap of joy and I became incredibly peaceful as I entered the Duomo. I took a deep breath and walked slowly down the main isle then gently placed my little bottom down onto a long wooden bench. I was not feeling too happy at that time because I felt like I was lost, I had no idea how to stay in Milan forever and another day, and I started to feel discouraged. I had no idea where to begin.
I then had a light bulb moment; I decided with enthusiasm that I can start by becoming Catholic. I could not love the Duomo and not be Catholic, that would be loving half way, no no, so I made a decision to speak to a priest. 
The only place I could find a priest was in the confession chambers. I stood up with a leap of joy and I waited in the confession line.

The confession line was incredibly long but I did not care because I was determined and positive. The meeting with the priest as well as the near future conversation was playing through my mind. I wondered what I was going to say to the priest, "Hello Mr Priest, I am South African and I want to stay in Milan forever, I love the Duomo, may I become catholic?", no no I thought to myself and erased that question from my mind completely, then I started again, "Buon Pommerriggio, I want to belong to this church, may I?", that did not sound convincing either to myself, I sighed and decided that I am just going to speak when I get into the confession chambers without planning it. 
After I concluded my thoughts I started to pay attention to the people that was in the line of the confession and I was shocked. People were morbid, crying and praying silently to themselves. It looked like these people were carrying around heavy burdens in their hearts and was about to die from guilt. I have never seen that before and I felt sad for them. I tried to hide my smile and pretend that I was also waiting in the line for a sin confessing purpose. 

I turned around and saw two young girls in tears, I felt bad, even though I have been waiting in the line for more than an hour I felt it to be a good decision to allow these two girls to enter before me. I did just that and waited for another half an hour. 
Phew, finally it was my turn and excitement rushed through my spine, I felt somewhat nervous too but nothing could stop me, I was going to do this.

When I entered, I noticed how small the chambers were, there was an open chair for me to sit on and a table between myself and the priest. I stared into the eyes of this beautiful old priest that was already sitting there smiling at me, a true and heartfelt warm smile. I noticed that he had white robes on with gold printed around the sleeves and collar. He had silver light hair and he looked like an angel from heaven. His eyes were filled with light and compassion that fitted perfectly with his smile; he was a heavenly happy man. I sighed in relief thinking that this could not be so difficult after all.

I then started to speak and I noticed that his smile had broadened, it had to be because of the tone of my voice and it looked as if he was trying to refrain from laughing. It did not concern me at all; any smile is wonderful. 
"il mio nome e Marilette", I told him, unfortunately it was the only Italian I knew at that time apart from greeting. "I love Milan and the Duomo soooo much, I am South African and I want to stay here forever, may I please belong to this church?" His smile widened more nodding his head in approval and I felt so happy that I could shoot out of the chambers like a rocket, "Si, si, pregare a Madre Maria."

I suddenly felt confused and my facial expressions had shown it because the priest suddenly looked confused too.  I realized that I had no idea what this happy priest was saying and he could not speak English at all.
I tried to remember some key words that I have self-studied about Italian to have some form of communication with this priest and I tried my best to explain to him that I really wanted to join the church. 
Every attempt trying to explain myself to him in some form of Italian had been a failed attempt; every response from him was a kind and joyful smile with approval telling me "Si, si, pregare a Madre Maria". 
I had lost hope at that point and started to giggle with joy, what else could I do?
The priest started to laugh out loud too and we were sitting across each other simply laughing with joy, the more he laughed the more I laughed and it was quite wonderful. 
I then stood up and he did too. I told him in English that I will learn Italian and return, "Si, si, pregare a Madre Maria." I gave a last little giggle and greeted him goodbye in Italian. I opened the chamber door and the line had become longer but all attention had been directed to me. Everyone stared at me in shock and confusion. "Oh goodness, did we laugh that loud in there?” I thought to myself. 
I passed the line and people were still staring at me turning their heads as I walked past them. 
I could understand their confusion; it is not every day that you hear giggles coming from a confession chamber. 
The line started to follow me and I became paranoid, I stopped and turned around when I then noticed that the priest had retreated for the day and the people were forming a new line on the opposite side of the confession chambers. 
The priest probably had to go for a bathroom break or something; we did laugh from our stomachs quite a bit. 

After my confession, also not being able to communicate in Ronchi78, I realised that it was very important to learn how to speak and write Italian. It is not possible to live in Milan without talking the Italian language.

At that moment I knew where to begin to be able to stay with my heart forever, I had to find an Italian school and I was going to do just that.

My metro journey back to my hotel was different than usual; I saw how so many people looked somewhat depressed and sad in the metro train. My heart felt sad for these people, I felt a compassion for them and I started to pray for my fellow passengers silently. After my prayer I noticed that I had been rooted looking at everyone in a peaceful, true and compassionate smile and they were all smiling back at me as if in hope. 
Some young men were staring at me smiling but they looked more like they were staring at me passionately and for this reason I had to stop smiling, still remembering Mr Passion on the other train!
I looked a little closer at an advertisement pasted onto the top of the train door and I saw that it was an advertisement for an Italian Language school. I took my phone out and saved the contact details and felt more optimistic than I had been for a long time; I was determined to learn the language.

Entering my hotel room, I did not let one second go to waste. In a flash I was on my notebook applying for my Italian school. The name of the school is the IH language school and I e-mailed them.  They replied almost immediately and because I was already in Milan, they told me to personally come to the school the next day. My heart was fluttering because I manifested at least one thing that day. I started to relax and feel more at ease because there is always something new and positive on the horizon that we cannot yet see.