Right, you are about to dive in Loveandpizza.it and follow Carolina on her adventures in the bella città… If you haven’t read the novel yet, I invite you to take a peek at Carolina’s interview and find out what her expectations were before she went on that plane to Napoli.
Interviewer: So… at the beginning of the story, we see you arriving back in Napoli. Why did you leave Napoli in the first place?
Carolina: Haha. You don’t mess about, do you? Straight to the point. Sorry, but I can’t talk about the story. You will need to read the book for that. If I give out too much, the author will be really mad.
Int: Ok, ok. I get it. Let’s start with some basic questions then.
Carolina: That’ll be better.
Int:: Right. What’s your full name?
Carolina: Carolina Lombardi Cappucci.
Int:: And you were born in Sao Paulo, right?
Carolina: Not really. I moved to Sao Paulo to study, but I’m originally from a small town in the countryside.
Int:: I see. And is it true that you studied Medicine?
Carolina: Yep. Six years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears, and I’ve become Dr Carolina Lombardi Cappucci. Even though I have no idea what to do now that I have my degree.
Int:: What do you mean?
Carolina: Well, the truth is – and I can say this now because my family already knows – I’m not sure I want to be a doctor.
Int:: Really? But that’s a big decision to make, isn’t it? Especially after all those years you spent at uni…
Carolina: I know.
Int:: So, is that the reason you’re going to Napoli to teach English? Is it just for a year you’re going?
Carolina: Yes, that’s the reason. It’s supposed to be for a year, but you never know, eh? (Carolina winks)
Int:: Yeah, I guess you never know. So, can you speak Italian at all?
Carolina: Well, I’m not fluent, but I studied it for a year while I was at uni, and it’s really similar to Portuguese, so I think it’ll be easy to learn. Besides, I’ll be teaching English, so I don’t think I’ll be speaking much Italian anyway…
Int:: Unless you meet someone…
Carolina: Haha. Of course I’ll meet someone. I’ll meet a lot of someones.
Int:: You know what I mean… Meet a guy. Are you single, Carolina?
Carolina: Yep. Recently cheated on and dumped. Sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m planning on never falling in love again.
Int:: You should never say never, Carolina.
Carolina: As I said, sorry to burst your bubble, but this girl here has had enough of this thing called love.(quotation marks in the air)
Int:: So, you don’t want to have children either?
Carolina: I would love to have children, but then, again, you need to fall in love and get married for that to happen, right? So… (Carolina shrugs)
Int:: Ok, ok. Let’s change subject. Are you a religious person, Carolina?
Carolina: I believe in God. I am a Catholic and I often go to church on Sundays, and I pray. I also believe that no matter what religion you follow, doing good to people is what matters, don’t you think?
Int:: I agree. So, you said you’re not sure you want to be a doctor, that’s why you’re going to Napoli. What are your expectations?
Carolina: Expectations? I’m not really sure, to be honest. I think it’s going to be a brilliant year, though. I want to visit as many places as I can, and learn as much as I can, and meet new people, and get to know myself. I guess those are my expectations.
Int:: Do you have any hobbies?
Carolina: I love taking photos! I take photos of everything! My mother always says that she doesn’t understand how I can take so many photos but I am rarely in one!
Int:: That will be perfect for you then, won’t it? Napoli and its surroundings are beautiful places for great photos.
Carolina: I know! I’m very excited about that and I can’t wait to visit all the amazing places I’ve seen in my guide!
Int:: Any other interests?
Carolina: I love learning new things, so I tend to buy books on stuff I want to know more about. One of the first things I think I’m going to buy is a cook book, so I can learn to cook all those delicious Italian dishes.
Int:: What’s your favourite food?
Carolina: Pizza–
Int:: Perfect! You’re going to the right place, then.
Carolina: … and chocolate!
Int:: Chocolate? Any chocolate?
Carolina: My favourite one is Lindt…. The taste of paradise……
Int:: E quanto à música? Você gosta de música italiana?
Carolina: I like a bit of everything, I guess. I like dance music, and I like classical music, and pop. I’m a great fan of Bon Jovi and U2. I don’t like heavy metal or funk, though.
Int:: How about reading. Do you have a favourite book?
Carolina: Oh, yes. The Little Prince, I guess. It’s a classic, isn’t it? I also love chick lit and a good crime book. At the moment, I’m reading a book my sister, Clara, recommended about Jack, the Ripper. It’s called Portrait of a Killer, by Patricia Cornwell. Write it down so you can read it. It’s really good.
Int:: Favourite film?
Carolina: Oh, it’s got to be “Letters to Juliet”. It’s so romantic and sweet. Not to mention that my great-grandparents were from Verona. I love romantic comedy films and thrillers. I’ll watch a horror movie, but I usually get terrible sleep afterwards – if any…
Int:: What do you do when you’re happy?
Carolina: I can’t stop smiling. Oh, and I eat chocolate.
Int:: And when you’re angry?
Carolina: I tend to swear, but not too bad words. I’ll say “shit” sometimes. And now I’ve learned cazzo, I think I’ll be saying quite a few of them. (chuckles) Oh, and I eat chocolate. (Carolina grins)
Int:: When you’re sad?
Carolina: When I’m sad, I just need to be on my own. I write. And eat chocolate.
Int:: What can a person do to cheer you up?
Carolina: Give me chocolate. Haha. No, seriously. Come to me with good news, even if they’re not for me. It makes me happy when I see people I love happy.
Ent: What can a person do to annoy you?
Carolina: Be unfair towards me or other people. Oh, and chew gum with their mouths open, like a cow. That really drives me nuts.
Int:: Is there anything you do that you know annoys people?
Carolina: Haha. That’s a good question. Lisa would say that I make people guess what I have to say. I start saying something, or will ask a question, like guess what? She hates it.
Int:: You mentioned Lisa. You must be really good friends, to be going on this huge adventure together…
Carolina: Yes, she’s my best friend. I inherited (quotation marks in the air) her from my oldest sister, Clara. We get on really well.
Int:: What do you like best about her?
Carolina: Ah, what not to like about her? I guess that my favourite thing about her is that she’s got an answer for everything and she’ll always tells me what she thinks. No matter how bad it is.
Int:: And what do you like least about her?
Carolina: Same answer as before. Haha. And also the fact that she’s almost always right.
Int:: Any funny memories from your childhood?
Carolina: Oh, yes! Who hasn’t? When I was 10, I told my mum that I’d seen my oldest sister kissing a boy from our street. My mum got really mad at her. I was very upset, because we’d always been very close, and I felt bad about that. Clara still gets mad at me when I talk about it in front of our parents.
Int:: Your biggest fear?
Carolina: I’m terrified of losing someone close to me.
Int:: Have you got a secret?
Carolina: Come on, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore, would it?
Int:: You are the kind of person who…
Carolina: Would probably bump into you in a shop, or in the street. Also, someone who’d be trying to break a fight – I’ve done that loads of times with my sisters.
Int:: Why do you think the reader will like Carolina?
Carolina: I’m not sure, but I really hope they will. I’m going off on an adventure to discover myself. I can imagine so many girls have the same wish. Hopefully, my story will give them the motivation they need! Besides, one of my friends said to me the other day that I’m going on a “Eat Pray Love” type of adventure, but she wouldn’t mind some “50 shades of Grey” updates from me as well.
Int:: That’s an interesting comment. So, do you think we’ll see you being swept off your feet?
Carolina: Well, you’ll have to wait to find out, eh? (Carolina winks)
Int:: Carolina, thank you so much for talking to me. I’m looking forward to reading all about your adventures in Napoli.
Carolina: That was my pleasure. I hope you enjoy it.
Int:: Tenho certeza que vou.
(***)
Do you have any more questions to ask Carolina, before or after Loveandpizza.it?
Write your questions in the comments below, and I'll make sure we'll schedule another interview!
