In Colonnata, Italy. Look at Noel, you cannot fake a smile like this !
I was first introduced to Bing by a dear friend Nilda (who is also pictured here-hiding in the shade!!!) while traveling in Italy. "Jenny, you have to meet my 'Taiwanese son' here, a fellow sculptor and quite a lady's man!" Haha, that is how I remember the introduction and it's hard to believe, that was exactly 10 years ago.
Whenever opportunity brings me to Italy, Bing and I always tried to meet up for cafe, catching up on friends, art and our native country, Taiwan. Bing even came to the rescue once when I found myself "homeless" in Italy! So, it is only nature that when I bring my daughter to Italy, I have to introduce her to my Italian/Taiwanese friend - uncle Bing!
Is Noel going to get along with Bing? Will Bing find this noisy kid too distracting ? All the concerns disappeared the moment when Noel met Bing.
Noel and I travelled on an "entertaining 3rd class" train from Ascea all the way up to Carrara; that is one hack of a long way in a day in a stinky train. As soon as we arrived in the station, Noel hopped off the train and ran right straight into her uncle's Bing arms. For the rest of the journey, I was dealing with not just one, but two goofy kids at all time!
Noel and her uncle Bing share the same love for beach and it is impressive for me to see a grown man, so patiently spend hours in the shallow water playing, building sand castles with a 5-year-old.
Noel loves cats, and uncle Bing sculpted her a marble cat with a heart nose for her 6-year birthday. Every morning as soon we were out of the door, Noel circled around behind uncle Bing, wanting a piggy back ride; not that she's tired, this is the same girl, just a week before, hiked 5 hours in the city of pompeii with me!
One the day we departed from Carrara (the first time,) Noel cried and cried for 30 minutes on the train, heart broken from leaving uncle Bing; she literally stopped smiling for a week until our travel adventure unexpectly brought us back to Carrara; and waiting there at the train station is again, Noel's beloved friend and uncle - Bing.
We wish uncle Bing best of luck in his artistic and personal adventure in life; and thank you for so many great memories for the little girl, see you soon!
