Stuck in Lodi(s)

Citizen of Lodi, Italy visits Lodi, California

Luca Di Sepio, 20, of Lodi, Italy has been all over the world. But this months, for the first time, he came to his city's sister city, Lodi, Calif.

And he loved every bit of it.

Di Sepio, who studies agriculture, knows his host family Rick and Liz Castelanelli through a mutual friend. He has been in Lodi for three weeks and believes his experiences have taught him more about America than any textbook in school ever could.

Sure, he thinks it strange that Americans eat pineapple on pizza, and he finds Lodi's Zinfandel wines a little too strong. But he loves the experience and opportunity to visit the local area anyway.

"I had the fortune to know a real family," Di Sepio said of his host parents. "It's a new experience because, in another place, I would just travel."

Wednesday, just days before he will leave for home, Di Sepio took a moment to reflect on his experiences and all he has learned.

"I came to America to see the history," Di Sepio explained. "I study agriculture, so I was able to see and learn a lot of that too."

The Costelanelli's also took Di Sepio throughout California, showing him Big Trees state park and visiting Santa Cruz and San Francisco.

But he really liked one particular place. Downtown Lodi.

"I like all the art and arches Downtown," Di Sepio said. "It's beautiful here. Over here there is sunshine; there, it's fog."

And while here in Lodi learning about America, Di Sepio also did some teaching himself.

Rick Costelanelli has been working on learning Italian and in return for teaching Di Sepio more English, he learned Italian.

"I thought it would be fun," Rick Costelanelli said. "We figured when we go back (to Italy), he can show us a good time."

Now that he has spent time living here, Di Sepio said his views about America have changed. For example, Di Sepio found America's firearm laws odd.

"It's crazy for me because in America, you can't buy alchohol (if you are under 21), but you can buy a gun," Di Sepio said.

In addition, he thought it was strange that at the State Fair there are animals, food and music all at one festival."If you go to a concert, it's just a concert, not with animals around," Di Sepio said.

Di Sepio isn't the only one seeing cultures clash. His host family is, too.



Liz Costelanelli said that the first time she saw Di Sepio making pasta, she was surprised because he sat on a chair and stirred the entire time.

And, she said, he has a hard time understanding why restaurants are open all day.

"He can't believe we eat all day long," Liz Costelanelli said.

Now that he has spent three weeks here, Di Sepio said he's just about ready to do everything, including vote.

"If I were American, I'd vote for Obama," Di Sepio said, going on to explain he thinks a young man in office will help the country.

When he leaves this country, there is one thing he won't miss — the coffee — which Di Sepio calls "black water."

"I'm a strange Italian because I don't like coffee," Di Sepio said. He also said he had heard the rave about Starbucks. He said he enjoyed it but could have done without.

Contact Natalie Flynn at natalief@lodinews.com

Editors Note: This story was updated at 2:41 p.m. Friday to correct a misspelling of Castelanelli.