Sicilian Christmas Part II

Buon Anno!  Did you pronounce both n's as you read that?  If not, you just told yourself "Good Butt" instead of spreading New Year cheer.  Gotcha!  What a language, this Italian...

Despite it being a week into 2012, let's take a moment to reflect way back to Christmas Eve 2011.  Back when we were young, innocent.  And very full.  Dinosaur and I, as well as two other American friends from base, had the extreme pleasure of joining a Sicilian family in their Christmas Eve feast.

We began digging into the antipasti (pictured above) around 9:00pm.  When you visit Sicily, beware: the antipasti alone could be a meal.  Pace yourself.  Next will be lasagna, two types of stuffed pizza, chicken and onions, and then desserts galore.  (But you won't pace yourself.  It's all so darn tootin' good!  I'll say I told you so.)

Our gracious hosts, Bella's parents.  They spoke zero English, but I think we managed to convey our appreciation for being witness to such a cool cultural event!

A packed and boisterous kitchen - Christmas Eve done right - feasting the night away!

Everyone speaks the language of laughter. 

Just a sampling of the many, many (MANY) desserts.  In addition to those pictured above, there were multiple cakes, oranges, candy, and liqueurs.

After the food was cleared away, the card games began.  This group was playing what appeared to be hearts, or something similar.  Their deck was Italian, not the suits and numbers that we're used to.  But I think it was a similar concept.  A bit later, the entire group sat down to a fun gambling game: everyone fished all their Euro coins out of their pockets and we bid on cards that had different pictures on them.  After all the cards were purchased, four cards were placed face down in the middle of the table, from an identical deck.  All the collected money was divided up on those four cards.  If you had purchased a card or cards that matched the ones in the middle, you won the corresponding money.  Winning money is fun for all ages!

At midnight we drank a champagne toast and, with kisses, wished each other "Auguri!" ("Seasons Greetings!").  Outside, the church bells clanged nonstop and fireworks could be heard from all directions for a solid 20 minutes.  Buon Natale!  Merry Christmas!  Auguri!