SWEET REAL LIFE
Gheed Hussam, 22, made an unlikely friend while studying abroad…
Stepping through the bustling Italian crowds, Iwas all on my own.
In July 2022, Iwas on amonth’s study in the beautiful Tuscan city of Siena.
Studying applied foreign languages and business at Sorbonne University in Paris, I was majoring in Italian.
And after my month studying at Università per Stranieri di Siena, Iwould be heading home to Abu Dhabi. But there were acrazy amount of people and police.
Ihad no idea what was happening and while my Italian was quite strong, I didn’t have alot of confidence.
Scanning the crowds, Imade eyecontact with an older lady.
Smiling at me kindly, Icould tell she was friendly and approachable.
‘What’s going on?’ Iwent over and asked her.
‘It’s Palio season,’ she told me. ‘I’m Nicoletta.’
Palio was ahorse race, with each of Siena’s 17 neighbourhoods –or Contrada –taking place.
‘Stay with us,’ Nicoletta said. ‘We’ll give you atour.’
Taking me around the city, she even bought me an ice-cream –a delicious strawberry lemonade flavour!
Nicoletta made me feel at home...
She was lovely. I could tell Nicoletta had abeautiful soul.
Inever found out how old Nicoletta was, but it wasn’t something that ever mattered to us.
Driving me back to my hotel in her red car, Nicoletta asked for my number.
‘I will take you to the Contrada del Leocorno next time,’ she promised.
And aweek later, we went on our second trip.
Picking me up from my hotel, we explored the beautiful Contrada del Leocorno.
She even took me to the church of San Giovannino della Staffa –an important building in the Contrade –before heading home for lunch.
‘I really miss homemade food,’ I confided in her.
‘I can make you some,’ she said, kindly.
Nicoletta made two kinds of pasta –including one made with spinach, cheese and sage that was delicious.
She even had her own homemade mayo. ‘No way,’ I said, impressed. ‘You made that by yourself?!’
‘I’m going to teach you,’ she smiled at me.
But Icould never do the recipe as well as Nicoletta –
