FIAT

Torino History needs its own class at the university. There is so much that has happened here! Yesterday we went one a "field trip." We went to the top/roof of the Lingotto Mall. I know it sounds interesting to go to a roof for a field trip, but this was more than just a roof! It was the first FIAT factory roof. Our program directors have told us multiple times that the "T" in FIAT stands for Torino. Anyways, FIAT out grew the factory and there was a contest to reuse the building and now it is a mall. It sounds pitifull to say that I go there to get groceries.

Here are some views from the roof:

The reason the roof is so special is that it was the tesing site for all FIAT cars. If you ever get to come here you can have your taxi driver take you up the ramps to the top. We unfortuantely walked and took elevators.

The cars were built in the building through a process that started on the ground floor and then moved up the floors as the car became more and more complete. By the time they were finished they had reached the roof and were ready to be tested. The roof looks like a mini race track with the huge slopping ends.

From up there you can see the Olympic arch and the previous Olympic village from 2006. (Told you a bunch of things happened here!)

And this is the "jewelry box" that houses original paintings from the FIAT family's private collection. This means the paintings I saw not only were originals by well known artists, but they used to hang in someone's living room. Blowing my mind! We couldn't take pictures within the museum, thus no pictures of beautiful paintings.

And this is where the FIAT executives get flown in by private helicopter, to private meetings that change the course of the company. I don't have pictures of it but FIAT's headquarters are still in a building next to the Lingotto mall.

From that roof you can see another famous icon. The mountian from Paramount Picture's logo. They added the starts and the words...

More to come soon, but I have to study for my first Italian test!

Fresco

Fresh, fresh food! I have found a favorite gelato shop, although I know where the one next to school is and the 2 next to my apartment. Yes, I love ice cream. If you get gelato try nutella flavor. Fun fact: Nutella originated in Torino and is still made right outside the city. My nutella comes in a glass jar. How cool is that!

This morning I had an Italian breakfast. Italians see breakfast a little differently, make it simple and involve milk as filler. Un Cappuccino per favore. (And if you feel like you need it a pastry.)
After class in which I had my first oral report, (nervous…) I met my roommate at the open market. We had been told that they had food that was cheaper and fresher. True! We got peaches and a pepper which are in season, parmesan cheese (the real stuff!), eggs, and basil with the roots and some dirt still attached. All that for under 10 US dollars! Success! One of the sellers asked where we were from “Americano?” “Si” “New York?” “No, California” “Ah California” {huge smile} I think he gave us a discount. We’ll be going back. We got peaches from his shop, they taste a little different but they are delicious!

We stopped at a crepe shop down the street and they asked us if we could try their pancakes. They found out we were from California and wanted to know if their American pancakes tasted like the real ones. I guess we’ll be going back for a taste test!
By the time I come back I will be spoiled on fresh food. I might have to start a garden like this roof top garden:

Benvenuti...

It has only been a couple of days! It is amazing to me how so much can change in such a short time. I am enjoying it here and trying to get comfortable. I can not count the number of time that I have pushed my limits. There’s going to be a whole lot more of that being brave stuff coming up, and we’ll see how it goes!

The apartment I live in is decribed as Narnia meets Marie Antoinette. And maybe throw in some Alice in Wonderland and Modern Chandeliers. Crazy decorating!

Welcome!

This is my bedroom and I get to use the lovely wardrobe. They said pack light…I think I did pretty good considering that there seems to be ample room on those shelves!

And this is my space. These pictures were taken right when we moved in, so nothing was unpacked. It’s beginning to feel a little more like home now.

The bathroom is long and narrow. I was going to write a frustrated post about everything taking so long and cold showers and other things not working. But I’m over it now and all things are fixed. I also made myself think of all the things that I have been blessed with and 2 things to be thankful for, for every one thing that went wrong. That helped.:)

Itsy Bitsy washing machine and our organization for the bathroom:

The kitchen, which is adorable (and reminds me I have to do dishes):

Our living room/dining room/ whatever it is supposed to be:

Sorry for the bad quality photos, but you needed something to look at!

Thanks for coming by! I learned so many Italian Culture tips today, I’ll share some soon!

One of those facts is that the Italian’s have to get to know you before they are super friendly. The woman at the café that I have gone to multiply times waved to me on my way home from school. So excited! Yay!