Monday, June 30, 2008
bellisimo!
Today was the first day of classes and the first day of my adult-girl crush on Luigi, the hot, 36 year old, single, Italian teacher whom I will be seeing each day for the next 30 days! Did I mention he is HOT? He is absolutely adorable; very animated and quite witty, even though he speaks ONLY in Italian (which believe it or not, I am able to understand quite well!) For the most part, the other students in my class are quite young, but I have hit it off with a 35 year-old divorcee (3x!) from HOT-lanta and we are making plans for the evening with some "regazzi" (men!) she's met...stay tuned, as we are meeting for apertivo tonight at 7:00! Ciao per esso!
A few Italian observations...
Okay, now with a few days under my belt, here are a few things that I have observed....
1. The average Italian person my age works a MAXIMUM of 5 hours a day and no more than 6 days a week. It is ILLEGAL to work more than 35 hours....what are we doing to ourselves in the States?
2. The kids here go to school less than the kids in the U.S. yet they scored higher than U.S. kids in both math and reading; overall, the country has a higher literacy rate; maybe I need to find a job here....? Don't worry, HBers, I will BE BACK!
3. I thought Carlo was joking when he told me that in less than 24 hours, I would be out with an Italian man...Well, I laughed when in 22 I was riding a motorcyle with Pierre Luigi from Milano! I know, I know, what was I thinking? Carlo has already given me the third degree about "taking rides from strangers!" Don't worry, all, I wore a helmet, but I will tell you, it was a sight to watch me get on the motorcyle, in a skirt!
4. Credit cards are NOT widely accepted. I learned this the hard way!
My time here so far is quite glorious. It is so hot, though, in the 90s each day and I am having a hard time looking like the sexy American vixen many of you thought I would be when I am wiping sweat from every pore of my body. It is not the days as much as the nights that are more unbearable, as my apartamento has NO A.C. as a result, I am averaging 4 hours/night and taking 3-4 showers each day! I have managed to wake up early enough to get a few miles in in preparation for my marathon training. (Amanda and Shannon, you need to get started, girls!)
Well, all, I love you dearly and can't wait to hear what is new in your world! Keep me posted!
1. The average Italian person my age works a MAXIMUM of 5 hours a day and no more than 6 days a week. It is ILLEGAL to work more than 35 hours....what are we doing to ourselves in the States?
2. The kids here go to school less than the kids in the U.S. yet they scored higher than U.S. kids in both math and reading; overall, the country has a higher literacy rate; maybe I need to find a job here....? Don't worry, HBers, I will BE BACK!
3. I thought Carlo was joking when he told me that in less than 24 hours, I would be out with an Italian man...Well, I laughed when in 22 I was riding a motorcyle with Pierre Luigi from Milano! I know, I know, what was I thinking? Carlo has already given me the third degree about "taking rides from strangers!" Don't worry, all, I wore a helmet, but I will tell you, it was a sight to watch me get on the motorcyle, in a skirt!
4. Credit cards are NOT widely accepted. I learned this the hard way!
My time here so far is quite glorious. It is so hot, though, in the 90s each day and I am having a hard time looking like the sexy American vixen many of you thought I would be when I am wiping sweat from every pore of my body. It is not the days as much as the nights that are more unbearable, as my apartamento has NO A.C. as a result, I am averaging 4 hours/night and taking 3-4 showers each day! I have managed to wake up early enough to get a few miles in in preparation for my marathon training. (Amanda and Shannon, you need to get started, girls!)
Well, all, I love you dearly and can't wait to hear what is new in your world! Keep me posted!
Finally!
Whew...I never thought that I would make it to Roma, considering the rough start I had to the first day of traveling! After arriving 20 minutes late in Boston from PIT, due to inclement weather, the Alitalia desk people refused to check the "forlorn and distressed" travelers onto the flight, as we were 15 minutes too late! So after nearly 1.5 hours of trying to negotiate a flight with Alitalia, USAir, and Travelocity, I touched down in Paris and finally in Italia, 18 hours LATER than anticipated! Finally, I arrived and found my way to Monteverde, where I will reside for the summer in Roma!
Interestingly enough, I am finding my way around here well; I only have one route to take then a ten or so blocks to walk...It is hot as blaze here, so I am going through sports bras like mad! Anyway, I am off for now. I am limited in my time here on the internet! Ciao per desso!
Interestingly enough, I am finding my way around here well; I only have one route to take then a ten or so blocks to walk...It is hot as blaze here, so I am going through sports bras like mad! Anyway, I am off for now. I am limited in my time here on the internet! Ciao per desso!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
and they're off!
Hello, dear friends! I am leaving this afternoon and am giddy with excitement (and anxiety!). Look forward to updating you within the week!
xoxo
xoxo
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Final night
Hi all!
I am in a tizzy as I can't get this blog to work and I am about to depart tomorrow...I really want to stay connected this way and I am freakin' out...If you get this posting, PLEASE shoot me a quick email to let me know that you have received this so that I can continue to post....Thanks!
xoxo FF
I am in a tizzy as I can't get this blog to work and I am about to depart tomorrow...I really want to stay connected this way and I am freakin' out...If you get this posting, PLEASE shoot me a quick email to let me know that you have received this so that I can continue to post....Thanks!
xoxo FF
Saturday, June 21, 2008
get ready, get set...
Greetings dearest friends and family!
Well, as I begin to count down the days and the numerous items on my to do list, which keeps getting longer I might add, I figured, "Why not add one more thing to my list?" Really, this came from the idea that I wanted to be able to have all of you laugh at the myriad of experiences that I am sure to have while traveling to Italy in just a few short days. So here is what you get: a blog that will share insight to my daily happenings in the place affectionately known as "Eat-aly"! (Compliments of ABrown!)
Well, I am finishing housesitting this week and jet off on Thursday with one suitcase in tow; I am not really sure if six weeks of living in Rome will easily condense into one parcel, but seeing as though I haven 't begun to pack yet, I am doing some wishful thinking that all of my "black" gear will easily fit into one suitcase!
Well, all, I am off for now. I will keep you posted later in the week as to any exciting happenings! Stay tuned!
xoxo FF
Well, as I begin to count down the days and the numerous items on my to do list, which keeps getting longer I might add, I figured, "Why not add one more thing to my list?" Really, this came from the idea that I wanted to be able to have all of you laugh at the myriad of experiences that I am sure to have while traveling to Italy in just a few short days. So here is what you get: a blog that will share insight to my daily happenings in the place affectionately known as "Eat-aly"! (Compliments of ABrown!)
Well, I am finishing housesitting this week and jet off on Thursday with one suitcase in tow; I am not really sure if six weeks of living in Rome will easily condense into one parcel, but seeing as though I haven 't begun to pack yet, I am doing some wishful thinking that all of my "black" gear will easily fit into one suitcase!
Well, all, I am off for now. I will keep you posted later in the week as to any exciting happenings! Stay tuned!
xoxo FF
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