My school is not a University. It’s a language school named Idea Verona. It offers Italian language, painting, photography, art history, Italian business, cinema, opera, and literature. It’s very limited, but gives us the intro to the culture and language, and that’s how our program is designed. I’m in the second level of Italian, with 3 other U of I students and a man from India. Most people in the program are in the 1st level, and 2 are in 4th, while my roommate is in the 6th. So essentially, we’re all bumbling around with nothing close to fluency. My teacher is named Maurizio (Maurice), and refuses to speak English (though we figured out he speaks it a bit). 3 hours straight of nothing but speaking Italian, and I don’t remember half the verbs we learned. However, it forces you to produce the language and practice, and that’s important. We also have an optional conversation section which is designed to get us talking more about every day things (as in, not verbs). This so far has resulted in discussion on Italian creepers. There are many of them at the bar we go to. I drank my first beer! It was a hoegardenn, and literally the size of my head, and so heavy I needed 2 hands. Be proud, friends.
Ive yet to discuss the excursions from orientation or the excursion we’re taking this weekend. I don’t have internet in my apartment (it might happen, if I learn what 1G means, and why I cant skype with it despite “no data or hour limits”--nick, I’m looking at you here), so I can’t update this as often as I would like. I can also only Skype before 11:30 US time, since the school is only open that long(and my new internet won‘t let me?), and there’s no close WIFI hot spots. Italy is seriously not great on the internet connectivity. When it gets warmer, I might be able to go to a park, or possibly to a friend’s apartment. Things are still kind of up in the air on that front, but I’m sure something will work out.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Allora...
Fun fact: In Italy, caffe=expresso. Coffee bars are everywhere, but American style coffee is impossible to find (expect for the one star bucks in Milan). You can ask for caffe Americano, but you’ll get looks. Caffe macchiato? Expresso with a bit of milk(although a latte macchiato will get you what you want). Latte=milk, so make sure to add a caffe on the front! My coffee tolerance is sky rocketing, along with my wine tolerance. We have wine with all our provided meals, and its rather cheap here (2-5 euro for a cheap bottle, so $ 2.50 to 6.50) I’ve developed quite a taste for it, but then again, we’re in wine country, so all the wine we’re getting is delicious. On our way to Borgetto, we passed an insane amount of vineries. Imagine all the crops you see growing on the highway in Illinois. Replace every single one with grape vines, and you have Veneto. Its odd to see, as the grape vines are trained up on a stake, and eventually on clothing lines as they branch, and then the parts bearing fruit in small netting. We’re currently at the stake section of growing.
si si si certo
Verona is a beautiful city. The Italians are out all the time: it’s like a college campus in the town square(piazza), in regards to the amount of people congregating. Everyone takes their dogs with them for a stroll. Most of these dogs are 1. Tiny and 2. Dressed up in ridiculous clothes. Many of these dogs are better dressed than I am--I saw one with a little furry coat (Do dogs enjoy wearing other animals’ fur?) The youth smoke quite a bit. Tiny little cigarettes everywhere, although not in the bars. The school I go to is connected to a Catholic high school, and I often see teens smoking during their breaks (which is really depressing). As Verona is the city of love (see: Romeo and Juliet), there are couples strolling EVERYWHERE, arm in arm. However, supposedly this is seen throughout Italy. It is a bit depressing. Many people speak “a little beet” of English, which is helpful. It is, after all, a tourist city. Most of the time, I try to use my Italian, and will get a response in English (which I’m guessing means my accent is awful).
The actual town is quite beautiful. There are two main piazzas: Erbe and Bra. These are large squares lined with stores and such, connected to streets. Smaller piazzas are structured around churches (see: Piazza San Anastasia and San Xeno). We pass by the historic Arena (~2000 years old, never used for gladiatorial fights or persecution) on a daily basis. It’s absolutely beautiful. In the summer, operas are held there, and the scenery and props from these fill an outdoor park. Many of the streets are cobblestone (mostly very intact and easy to walk on, but occasionally spaced so far you can sprain an ankle) or marble. All the sidewalks are marble. While this sounds awesome, there is a serious lack of greenery here. I haven’t seen a tree in ages. We found some grass by San Anastasia and flipped out. Speaking of weather: Haven’t seen the sun in a week here, it’s constantly cloudy, rainy, or foggy. Stupid Northern Italy.
There is a large shopping street named Via Mazzini, which is filled with VERY pricey stores. Gucci? Dolce and Gabana? You name it, it’s there, along with countless other stores. Especially lingerie stores. If I’m ever in need of underwear, I’ll never be in want for longer than 10 minutes. Currently Saldi (sales) is going on: 3 weeks of huge discounts in many retail shops. I’ve yet to take advantage of this, as I am not nearly as fashionable as the Italians (who constantly sport leather boots and skinny jeans).
The actual town is quite beautiful. There are two main piazzas: Erbe and Bra. These are large squares lined with stores and such, connected to streets. Smaller piazzas are structured around churches (see: Piazza San Anastasia and San Xeno). We pass by the historic Arena (~2000 years old, never used for gladiatorial fights or persecution) on a daily basis. It’s absolutely beautiful. In the summer, operas are held there, and the scenery and props from these fill an outdoor park. Many of the streets are cobblestone (mostly very intact and easy to walk on, but occasionally spaced so far you can sprain an ankle) or marble. All the sidewalks are marble. While this sounds awesome, there is a serious lack of greenery here. I haven’t seen a tree in ages. We found some grass by San Anastasia and flipped out. Speaking of weather: Haven’t seen the sun in a week here, it’s constantly cloudy, rainy, or foggy. Stupid Northern Italy.
There is a large shopping street named Via Mazzini, which is filled with VERY pricey stores. Gucci? Dolce and Gabana? You name it, it’s there, along with countless other stores. Especially lingerie stores. If I’m ever in need of underwear, I’ll never be in want for longer than 10 minutes. Currently Saldi (sales) is going on: 3 weeks of huge discounts in many retail shops. I’ve yet to take advantage of this, as I am not nearly as fashionable as the Italians (who constantly sport leather boots and skinny jeans).
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The first 18 hours.
Dear everybody,
Italy is awesome! I left CJ and my dad in the airport and was welcomed by many of my fellow Illinoisians. After taking pictures and eventually getting bullied by security to °CLEAR THE LINES°, we stood in a long security line, which confiscated my peanut butter. I was displeased. 2 hours later we boarded the plane, and despite my flight anxiety, all went well. 3 whole movies! 2 delicious meals (Milano cookies for breakfast? Free wine with dinner? Pesto lasagna??yummm, or as they say here mmmhhhh). We had a 5 hour layover in rome (which was very springlike) and were all incredibly tired. A short 1 hour flight to Verona left us in the care of our course director, Clauddio. He herded us onto a bus where we recieved cell phones (unactivated, oops), maps, and sheets and towels. The bus took us to our individual apartments, 20 hours after our journey began.
My apartment is beautiful!! We come in to a beautiful open courtyard, and have marble stairs or a tiny tiny tiny creaky elevator(open door, pull apart more doors, step in, more doors!) In the apartment; Wood and marble floors, 2 balconies, and tons of space. Theres a radiator (which id never used before) and a bidet (whattt!). Our balconies overlook the side street we are on. Its been raining consistently, so I havent used it much yet. Our shower is really odd: the stereotypical like hoselike contraption, 2 faucets for hot and cold (which mix, thank goodness), and this odd fold out shower curtain/door. Its beautifully decorated with paintings of birds and posters of foreign landscapes, and our armoires are covered with sunflower stickers. One girl, Natalie, shares the room (we each have tiny single size beds) and shes very sweet and fun. Our first of 2 italian roommates arrived 2 days ago: she works in a childrens school. She speaks no English. Our other roommate comes friday.
I miss everyone already: Family, CJ, NRP, ISR kids, Slushies...Next time I have time to post (which, lacking internet in my apartment, is essentially after school for 5 hours) Ill discuss our excursions for orientation, classes, the city(stereotypes abound!), grocery shopping, and my horrible botched Italian attempts (especially the ones with creepy Italian men, old and older, and attempting to get directions). Ciao!!
Italy is awesome! I left CJ and my dad in the airport and was welcomed by many of my fellow Illinoisians. After taking pictures and eventually getting bullied by security to °CLEAR THE LINES°, we stood in a long security line, which confiscated my peanut butter. I was displeased. 2 hours later we boarded the plane, and despite my flight anxiety, all went well. 3 whole movies! 2 delicious meals (Milano cookies for breakfast? Free wine with dinner? Pesto lasagna??yummm, or as they say here mmmhhhh). We had a 5 hour layover in rome (which was very springlike) and were all incredibly tired. A short 1 hour flight to Verona left us in the care of our course director, Clauddio. He herded us onto a bus where we recieved cell phones (unactivated, oops), maps, and sheets and towels. The bus took us to our individual apartments, 20 hours after our journey began.
My apartment is beautiful!! We come in to a beautiful open courtyard, and have marble stairs or a tiny tiny tiny creaky elevator(open door, pull apart more doors, step in, more doors!) In the apartment; Wood and marble floors, 2 balconies, and tons of space. Theres a radiator (which id never used before) and a bidet (whattt!). Our balconies overlook the side street we are on. Its been raining consistently, so I havent used it much yet. Our shower is really odd: the stereotypical like hoselike contraption, 2 faucets for hot and cold (which mix, thank goodness), and this odd fold out shower curtain/door. Its beautifully decorated with paintings of birds and posters of foreign landscapes, and our armoires are covered with sunflower stickers. One girl, Natalie, shares the room (we each have tiny single size beds) and shes very sweet and fun. Our first of 2 italian roommates arrived 2 days ago: she works in a childrens school. She speaks no English. Our other roommate comes friday.
I miss everyone already: Family, CJ, NRP, ISR kids, Slushies...Next time I have time to post (which, lacking internet in my apartment, is essentially after school for 5 hours) Ill discuss our excursions for orientation, classes, the city(stereotypes abound!), grocery shopping, and my horrible botched Italian attempts (especially the ones with creepy Italian men, old and older, and attempting to get directions). Ciao!!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2 days to go!
It's Tuesday, and I leave on Thursday. There's been a sudden rush to finalize small things: new shoes, new coat, copies of this, call the bank, buy medicine, and so on and so forth. This, along with all my other friends departing on their study abroad trips, has finally struck a chord in me, and set the anxiety running. I feel extremely under-prepared.
I was sitting on the couch watching TV, and all I could think was that a. I'm going to Italy and b. I'm going for a long time. As much as everyone says it's an extended vacation, I still feel nervous about having to start life somewhere else. Vacation, you can leave and go back to your normal life. This is going to be a serious change. As much as that's what I want from my experience, that's also the scariest part of all this. I'm stressing quite a bit now.
Pro-tip: pack sooner than 2 days in advance.
I was sitting on the couch watching TV, and all I could think was that a. I'm going to Italy and b. I'm going for a long time. As much as everyone says it's an extended vacation, I still feel nervous about having to start life somewhere else. Vacation, you can leave and go back to your normal life. This is going to be a serious change. As much as that's what I want from my experience, that's also the scariest part of all this. I'm stressing quite a bit now.
Pro-tip: pack sooner than 2 days in advance.
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