Speaking Italian

Looking out my bedroom balcony, those are some of the clothes lines blending in.
I had Italian for 3 hours straight and I thank God that he allowed me to struggle through Spanish for 3 years. He knew that I would take Italian and need any knowledge that I had to feel comfortable. I feel so intimidated by speaking to shop keepers in Italian. I don’t expect them to speak English, but man do I feel on the spot! I have to go to the phone store and the tobacco store today. And no, the tobacco store sells bus tickets and passes, permit of stay stamps and regular stamps. Most of them also have the post box right there as well. Italians know how to sort their mail! There is a slot for all mail staying in the city and a slot for all mail “going out.” They aren’t so great at delivering mail but, hopefully it will get here still!

I used the washer for the first time. Itsy, bitsy. It took a little longer than I’m used to, but that’s not a problem. After hanging them out on the line off our balcony (getting used to dangling clothes over the side of a building) they were ready to put away less than 2 hours later. Who said dryers were better? ;) It should also tell you how hot it has been.

We finally met our landlord which then led to us knowing everything we could ever know about our apartment. His English is not excellent but it is so much better than my Italian! Yay for cooking pasta in the apartment for the first time! Ahh for making the bread a little too crispy. I need to come up with a better use for stale bread…

First day of School!

First day of school and all day orientation. Needless to say I’m beat. Today I have learned so much, but have also listened to information that was repeat or unneeded. The school is called SAA and it stands for the School of Business Administration (in Italian of course). It is one building and looks like a highschool because of the corridors. We sat in a classroom for hours listening to the details of our program. After a break for lunch we listened again to details this time from professors about the particular course they are teaching. For lunch I decided to try the cafeteria, which they call the lunch bar. It is so funny to see how they use American English words and put an Italian twist on it. Once inside the lunch bar they had a western sign talking about bars and saloons. Oh my!

The first professor to talk is not teaching a class that I am taking but he was so funny to listen to, a true jokester. His last name is Ferrari and the jokes he made about not having one made everyone laugh. Old Italian men are made of rare stuff!
We are having some difficulties in our apartment with the gas stove and the hot water heater. Apparently our landlord was going to come by to meet us and answer questions, but that didn’t happen. This is the second time we have been told he is planning to come by and hasn’t. Everything takes longer in Italy! It would be nice to cook in my apartment and take a [at least] lukewarm shower. I’m praying it all works out soon and smoothly. I really don’t mind so much, except that Italy is not cheap! I have been blessed with so much [for example internet], that I don’t like complaining for what I don’t have.

Tomorrow, first day of Italian class! (so nervous)

{I'm a little behind in posting but I'm trying to write it all down so that even if its the next day ya'll can read about it}

Ciao Bella!

Hello beautiful city! There is so much to say about this ...here is a taste.
As you fly into the Turin airport (Turin and Torino are interchangeable from what I know so far) the colors you see are red and green. It is no wonder that I am in Italy where the Italian flag is red, green and white. The roof tops are mostly red tile and the buildings are painted either green, or off white/taupe colors. From the air the roofs are in direct contrast to the green fields and forests. Don't be fooled, Torino is a CITY! And I learned yesterday it's the fourth largest in Italy after Rome, Naples, and Milan. Yet, most people in the USA don't seem to know about it.
Soon I will get to try the new metro and the extensive bus routes, but people here walk everywhere. It is more common to walk, and its fun to on the cobblestone streets. My roommate and I tried to walk to the open air market a few blocks away, but they had closed down due to some sprinkles of rain. It will be such a fun place to get fresh fruits and vegetables. Right now, they still have summer fruits. The watermelons are huge, not that I will be buying one anytime soon.
When you are in Torino you will see many neon lights that say "bar." There is one almost every block. But don't be fooled they are coffee bars and Italians are coffee drinkers. I myself have already had my first espresso with latte. Don't order latte, you will get only milk!
I have already had pizza, twice. I am still waiting to have pasta, but there is a wonderful place downtown that has delicious gnocchi. I can't wait to try it!
I moved into my apartment today, it is near the south part of the city. It is closer to the school then downtown which is just fine. It should be a 20 minute walk to school, but they all think we are lame and will get tired of walking or think it is too far.
There is so much more and I am taking pictures, though I will have to take more. I will post them soon!