On Saturday, I participated with 25 other women and 10 men in the Miss Cicciona Festival in Italy. I will give you the details of the day, and also tell you I won one of several titles, Miss Bellezza, or in English, Most Beautiful. *blush*

My friends, Rachel and Sirenna, and I started the day around noon, when a car picked us up at the hotel and took us to a luncheon. All the contestants were there, as well as some journalists. We were greeted warmly by all the women there. The most common question was, "How much do you weigh?" There was a prize given for largest woman and man, Ms/Mr. Cicciona, but that prize was only available to Italians. The winner was a woman over 440 lbs.

We met a woman, Gisella, who invited us to stay at her home in Calabria, which is a resort town. She was also a winner, for Best Personality, I think. There were 6 or 7 awards for the women given. We were also invited to stay in Paris with some people, Sylvia & Alan, from Allegro Fortisimo, the end of July. I think we've decided to skip the Greece portion of our trip, and extend our stay in Italy and Paris.

We were introduced to 2 women from London, who'd flown in for Marie Claire to do a story. Marie Claire is a major woman's magazine in England. They decided to concentrate on us for their story! It will be in the October issue. After a lunch of 3 pasta dishes and one meat dish, they returned to the hotel with us, and interviewed and photographed us as we were getting ready.

Our next stop was to a beauty salon, where we all got hair and makeup done. I got mine done in many curls. At one point, I had 2 girls curling my hair, and holding the ringlets up with little silver pins, which stayed in my hair all through dinner! Luckily, I didn't have to sit under the hair dryer like Rachel, because it was a very warm and humid day.

At dinner we sat with a famous Italian Director/Author and a woman from an Italian Size-Acceptance group. When we sat down, he told me he'd take care of me, and proceded to feed me! It was a good shot for the camera's, I'm sure! But eventually, it settled down to eating and talking with the woman about size-acceptance in Italy.

One thing that's really surprised me here, is that not many people speak English. I'm told they learn to read and write in school, but not speak conversationally. So I've been trying to pick up some Italian as I can, and I think I'm doing pretty well, considering.

Once we arrived at the festival, we got our hair taken care of, did our makeup and put on our dresses. I was mobbed by reporters as I was getting my hair done. One person from a news program asked me if I knew about a tax the F.D.A. wants to charge fat people in the U.S. for extra health care! I think she was just trying to get a rise out of me. So I told her that only Michigan has specific laws to protect large American's from Discrimination, and I told her that I thought there should be equal and comfortable access available for all, in restaurants, theaters and airplanes, etc.

Other journalists wanted to know if I had a boyfriend, and I told them, "no." And they asked why not, so I told them it's because men in the U.S. don't look beyond the size and looks to see what's in the hearts and minds. As she was someone who spoke almost no English, this was difficult. I tried to explain to her, that even though I get e-mail from men admiring my looks, I seldom get more serious interest in myself for who I am.

The international contests were held to the end, and when I finally hit the stage, I wasn't too nervous. The M.C. asked where I lived and what I did and how much I weighed, to which I replied, "More than them," and pointed to the audience. That got a laugh. He asked if I had a special dream, and I told him that it would be for everyone to know that "Every Body is okay."

I walked down the runway, I waved at the end, I turned around and halfway back, I stopped and turned and blew kisses to everyone!

When it was time to announce the winners, I had not been prepared, all of a sudden, I'm sitting backstage with Rachel and Sirenna and I hear my name, so I went up the stairs and received an award. My interpreter stayed with me, telling me what I'd won, and intrepreted my gratitude and comments and then helped me understand the rest of the awards. I was presented with one of the sashes that says, "Miss Belezza, Casa Del Regalo Capanoli." Which I wore as I walked the catwalk once again. I was very happy to win, and to help represent American BBW's.

I received many congratulations, and a gift, which was a beautiful fuschia colored glass bowl on a silver pedistal. It was a wonderful evening and a great festival. I hope more BBW's from around the world will read this and decide to come next year.



Rachel's Journal, July 18, 1998
What an exciting day! As you probably already know, Monica won "Most Beautiful" in the Fatty Festival Pagaent. YYEEAA!! Sirenna and I were so excited for her! She looked absolutely gorgeous in her gold beaded dress. We had a jammed-pack day...everything from eating like there was no tomorrow, to the beauty salon. They drove us to the place where we met most everyone involved with the festival. As we met everyone, the word "bella" kept floating by my ears. Everyone I met was incredible kind and generous. I was considered a "light-weight" so whenever I stopped to talk or take a picture with someone, they would repremand the other person, telling them to let me eat! *chuckle* "Manga! Manga!" One of the head organizers challenged me to see who could eat the most food. After an entire plate of appetizers, two big pasta dishes, the main course and dessert, along with bread and water, I was finished! But I won "that round". *chuckle*

In the schedule, it was time to go back to the hotel to rest and refresh ourselves. Not us! There was a journalist and photographer from the magazine Marie Claire doing a story on us! (October European edition). It was very exciting...lots of talking...talk, talk, talk, talk, talk! Oh, and act natural. *grin*

We packed our stuff and headed to the beauty salon, where an entire staff of people waited on these big, vivacious women. Lot's of laughs and talking. These women were coiffed and primped. It was lovely. They drove us back to the area where we ate dinner. Again, "manga! Manga!" But, so many people wanted to take pictures with us! *chuckle* Max, the gentleman who challenged me during lunch, was once again hoping to get me in the ring, so to speak. But I had the opportunity to eat with Victoria, the journalist from Marie Claire and Mr. Ross', an eclectic man who is a well known writer and director. He asked if I would be interested in performing in one of his plays during the month of September in Italy. Hmmmm...so many opportunities! *grin* Not to worry mom, I'll be home...sometime! *chuckle*

After dinner, it was time to walk over to the grounds where the festival was being held. Nothing like 35+ large people stopping traffic! *grin* They put the finishing touches on our hair and makeup, then it was time to strut our stuff on the "catwalk". Whew whew! *grin* The host asked kept me around for some time, asking me where I was from, what do I do, more detail regarding where I'm from. I knew it would come to food at some point. I had asked a few people what kind of food would get an audible reaction from the audience. *chuckle* "Spagetti con marmalada" *chuckle* Spagetti with marmalade! And boy did it get a reaction! Groans and laughter filled the air. It was funny! After being called a comedienne, it was my turn to walk the runway. They audience seemed to enjoy it, applauding as I walked the long walk. Both Monica and Sirenna were wonderful...expected nothing less out of the both of them! After it was all said and done, the public weigh in was over, it was a great experience.

At times, it was good that I didn't know Italian...as the weigh in progressed, a clown-type comedian came on stage and threw insults at the people stepped on the scale. How sad that the audience finally woke up, responding and laughing at the negative instead of the positive energy and beauty of these women.

The festival was started on the concept that big, "robusto" women were beautiful. I'm not sure, but I think that some of those positive thoughts may be lacking in this society. After the festival was over, we were driven back to the hotel.

At 2:00am, Sirenna and I set out to find FOOD! *grin* We ended up at this Mexicana Cafe where we met the loveliest man. David, the owner, hooked us up with sandwiches, beverages and even bought us a drink or two. It was the perfect ending for a non-stop day. We walked and talked and laughed throughout the streets of Italy. What could be more pleasant?



Rachel's Journal, July 19, 1998
"See'er of all, friend of many."
We had a relaxing day today. Nothing in this town was open, so Sirenna, her friend Luciano, Monica and I set out for Pisa. The train ride was pretty good...we were able to take in some of the countryside. The seats in the train were like those on an airplane, though you can't move the arm rests. Nothing like a tight fit to wake a person up in the morning! When we arrived in town, we took a bus to see the city before heading to lunch. As we turned a corner, I viewed the Leaning Tower of Pisa...my breath escaped me. It is an awesome sight. Awesome.

After lunch, we did the tourist thing...took pictures, bought t-shirts, did the postcard thing. Again, there it was...the Leaning Tower...wow. We returned to the Mexicana Cafe for dinner, letting Monica experience the great atmosphere. It was the happening spot this evening...total meat-market. Luckily, they had our table in the back open, so we had some peace.

Rineldo, a nice man who had been there the night before, came back again hoping to see us. He joined us for dinner and conversation. Overall, we had a great evening of friendship and food. Who could ask for anything more?

As I looked at a table across the way, I noticed a tall, dark, Italian man. "He's an actor" I told the group. Sirenna called him over to our table. He was there promoting his business, a new singles dating service. And yes, he is an actor.*grin* (I can spot 'em a mile away) He proceeded to tell me (through Sirenna, the translator *chuckle*) that "we have met in another time, early 1400's. I was a lady in waiting and having an affair with the king. He was the court jester who was drawn to me, drawn to my eyes. But I would never look into his eyes because then everyone could tell that there was an attraction there, one that the king would not be happy with. All the jester wanted was to be with this lady in waiting." *chuckle* Talk about your picture-book pickup line! *chuckle* He was an interesting character, literally and figuratively.

Rineldo walked us home at 3:30am this morning. Nothing like closing the city, two nights in a row! We are heading to Milan tomorrow, skipping Greece for now. We are going to spend a couple days in Milan, then head to Florence. Sirenna might be joining us on our exciting adventure. I'll keep you posted. *chuckle*