Monday, 2 April, 2018
Last week all of the Skorpions got a message from our Middle Linebacker Ivan "Swito" Raso about gathering today at Skorpion Field for a team BBQ today on Pasquetta or Easter Monday.
Pasquetta is a National Holiday in Italy and it is an even bigger day to gather with family and friends than Easter Sunday.
Thus, I joined many members of the extended Skorpion Family for what turned out to be another amazing day in Lombardia!
Chiara, Swito's significant other,
was busy organizing the food when
I arrived at 11:00 a.m.
Swito was the Head Grill Master
on this beautiful Spring day
Just the start of the animal
products to be expertly grilled
by Calabria's best BBQ chef
Swito hand rubbing the ribs with,
what else, olive oil before grilling
Unlike most BBQs, the men were
apprensive to approach Swito to
give him their advice
Swito, being a Calabrese AND a Middle Linebacker tends to intimidate people.
He is actually a sweet young man.
Chiara, still in a Food Coma from
Easter Sunday, takes out the first of
many, many trays of meat to the BBQ
Swito was literally in
HOG HEAVEN!
Meat, we need MORE MEAT
NOW!
Swito, beer at the ready,
stoking the fire
The first wave of burnt animal
flesh was about ready to be consumed
It was AMAZINGLY good!
After several rounds of meat had
come off the grill, a game broke out
No wonder really as it was a BEAUTIFUL day for American football!
Bombs Away!
Getting Serious
Out came the scrimmage vests and flags, now the game was really afoot!
It was now about 3:00 p.m. and we had been noshing and drinking for about four hours.
MADONNA!
We still had tons of meat to grill and consume!
I thought we were done at this point but Swito informed me that in Calabrese terms, we had only just finished off the appetizers!
U13 Coach Marianna "Tex" Tessera
with the selfie stick,
Round 27 - Here We Come!
Tex is a great young lady and a darn good coach!
She asked me what we call Pasquetta in America. I answered "Monday."
She had a hard time believing that Americans would not enjoy another day with family and friends this weekend.
Frankly, so did I.
Going home with some fantastic,
home made Nutella cake rolls
for dessert
Ironically, this calendar, sponsored by a diabetes care center, hangs prominently in the Skorpions Snack Bar.
It was about 4:30 p.m. and I was not too proud to acknowledge my defeat at the hands of Swito's wonderful BBQing skills.
I tapped out BIG TIME!
Final Score: Calabria 1 - California 0
The last two days have been so much fun for me. When it is all over and I return home after our season ends, the joy of eating and drinking with these great Skorpion Family members this weekend will stay with me for a long, long time.
It's GREAT to be a Skorpion!
BEAT THE KNIGHTS!
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