CLUTURE SHOCK!

    WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26TH., 2018
                    CULTURE SHOCK!

    This Christmas offered a unique opportunity
for our family. My daughter is hosting Roberta,
an exchange student from Italy.
     She, of course, is here to sample American
education and the culture here in the United
States. But it's a two way street. While she
learns from us, we learn from her!
      I was curious about Christmas in the
home of my ancestors.
      Roberta said festivities in Italy include
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the
Feast of Saint Stephens which is celebrated
on December 26th. I like an extra day of
celebration!
       I must admit, however, my next Italian
Christmas lesson came as a shock! Roberta
told us games are big on the holiday. She did
introduce us to an Italian card game but Ii
suspected the "big event" would be something
like Bocci!
        But "No." The big deal there (as in
Florida) is BINGO! Turns out they were
playing a game called "Il Giuoco del lotto
d'Italia" way back in 1530! It was a form of
what we now call BINGO!
        Mama Mia! Who would believe it?!
        Hope your card was filled with holiday
cheer and that all your NEWS is good!