Non capisco

The language barrier here has never been super difficult to overcome. I can generally get by with hand gestures and emotions. I'm also understanding more Italian and am able to follow conversations pretty well. Yesterday, that was not the case.

My plan for the day was to come home around 4:30 to get the key for the bike. I was riding my bike to the school that night at 6 for the play. My brother and sister were both supposed to be home to let me in the house.

I walked to the door and could hear someone vacuuming. I rang the door bell but they didn't hear me. I figured I would just wait a minute until they were finished, then ring the bell again. After two minutes, they were still vacuuming. I rang the doorbell. No answer. Knocked on the door. Still vacuuming. Rang the bell again. Finally they stopped.

Then I heard a woman's voice that I'd never heard before. She was definitely not part of my family. At this point I had been waiting outside for five minutes. After I heard some phrases in Italian, the door opened to a woman with a gold tooth. I immediately looked at the house number to make sure I hadn't knocked on the wrong door. I was at the right house but I had never seen this woman before. I said, "Ciao" and started to walk in the house. She blocked me and started speaking in Italian. I couldn't understand a word she was saying.

I tried to tell her I was American, I lived in the house, anything I could in Italian. She kept saying, "Non capisco. Non capisco." She said something in Italian and I said, "Okay" because what else could I do. All of a sudden she shut the door in my face and I was left outside.

I just stood there for a minute trying to figure out what just happened. There is a park behind the house so I just walked back there and sat on a bench. I was embarrassed, in shock, and just didn't know what to do. Fifteen minutes later, my sister comes walking around the corner. She had been asleep upstairs and had not heard me ring the doorbell. Goldie had apparently woken her up. She probably told her there was some crazy American trying to come in the house.

I finally made it back inside. That was the most frustrating experience I've had on this trip. I have never not been able to communicate with someone. Now I can laugh about it but man. It was definitely an adventure. 

Terremoto

So I mentioned last time that there was an earthquake while we were in Venice. Turns out the earth wasn't done quaking.

I went to school this morning and my kids were taking a test. All of a sudden, we heard this rumbling noise. The teacher and I looked at each other for a second. When the room started shaking, we both jumped out of our seats. The children stood up and started screaming, "Terremoto!!!"

The entire school evacuated. Literally within five seconds of being outside, we saw parents rushing to the school. Some were running, some were riding bikes, others were speeding up in cars. I have never seen such a state of panic. I don't want to make light of the situation but it was almost comical.

The earthquake only lasted about 10 seconds. Most of the children were fine but when they saw their parents, they began to cry. School was cancelled for the day so an inspector could check the school.

I rode home with my brother and Nonna (the grandmother). We were in the house for maybe 15 minutes before there was another earthquake.

The earthquake was a 5.8 and the epicenter was pretty close to Modena. Since the last quake from last week, there have apparently been over 400 movements. You cannot always feel them on the ground floor but you can if you are on an upper level. There are many people who cannot sleep at night because they are terrified the aftershocks will turn into strong quakes. After the big quake today, I felt three aftershocks. I was sitting on my bed upstairs and it felt like someone was lightly shaking the bed.

I really wish these earthquakes would stop. They're ruining my plans! Last Tuesday we were supposed to go to Verona but couldn't because the trains were on a different schedule. We decided to go today but now we can't because of the trains. I reallllllly want to go to Verona and I'm running out of free afternoons!!!

I'm so glad we don't have these in Georgia. The people here are shocked that these are my first two earthquakes. Like I said before, this isn't something I want to experience often. We're currently sitting outside in the garden just in case there is another quake.

I have lots of fun stories to share. I'll update as soon as I find the time!

Venice, Murano, and Burano

Venice was absolutely beautiful. It was so crowded though. We went during the America's Cup and apparently there were 100,000 extra people there just for the race. On top of all the other tourists and the 60,000 residents, there were quite a few people.

I was not expecting all the streets to be little alleys. It amazed me that you could walk through these tiny passageways and be totally safe. Especially at night. I'm definitely not used to that in America. I cannot imagine walking through a tiny alley at 11 PM with just two other girls back in the States. It's amazing how different it is here.

We also went to Murano and Burano. We travelled by boat from Venice. The weather was perfect: not too hot and not too cold. All I needed was a light jacket. (Name the movie.) Murano is famous for their glass. We were able to watch a demonstration in a factory. It was incredible. They work so quickly and can make the coolest things! The town was not very large but there were a few cool glass figurines.

Burano is famous for their lace. It was gorgeous. All of the houses are different colors. There are shops full with different things made of lace. We walked around the town and went in little stores. We stopped at a cafe and I got a chocolate croissant. So delicious. I could easily eat one every day.

Just sleeping on his boat. 

In other news, the earthquake did not do much damage to Modena. My family is all okay, as are the other families associated with this trip. We felt the quake in Venice. It only lasted for about 30 seconds and was not too severe. I woke up because my bed was shaking. I thought it was the other girl in my room making all the noise but quickly realized that it was actually the building shaking. A few bell towers and clock towers close to Modena fell down. A castle was damaged as well. I'm just praying that it will not happen again while we're here. One earthquake was kind of cool. But that is something I only want to experience once in my life.

Aside from the earthquake, it was a great trip. Lots of walking and tons of pretty buildings. The food was delicious but I feel like that's to be expected in Italy. I'm really craving a peanut butter and jelly sandwich though. That and some cheese dip. Anybody want to send me some????

Ciao da Italia!!

Ciao! Come stai?

Contrary to what you might think, I actually do not know much Italian. I'm learning slowly but surely. One of my Italian brothers has been teaching me many words on our frequent bike trips around the city. I know many little phrases but not complete sentences.

I seriously could not have picked a better place to study abroad. I absolutely love it here. The first few days were extremely rough because of the HUGE language barrier. But we are all adjusting to each other and things are going well!

I apologize if my English sounds weird. I have pretty much forgotten how to speak proper "Americano." Here, I have to speak slowly and enunciate each syllable. I cannot use any slang, including the word "y'all," which is extremely difficult. Also, when I talk, I pause between phrases and sound like I am explaining something. The tone of my voice goes up at the end of each phrase; it's the weirdest thing. I video chatted my American brother today and he told me I was talking funny.

At least I'm in Italy, right?!

A few observations thus far:

-They do not have peanut butter. Good thing I brought a jar from home. My family tried it tonight and I think they liked it. Of course they could have been saying that it was gross...I don't understand Italian so they can say whatever they want.

-The toilets are all so different. None of them have handles to flush with; some have strings from the ceiling and others have buttons on the wall. Some have seats, some don't, and some are just holes in the ground. You never know what you're going to find when you go to il bagno.

-The grocery stores smell like fish. Gross. They also have rolling baskets. Picture our baskets that we carry with a long handle. People look very funny pulling around large orange baskets.

-The Smurfs are a hit over here. Except they call them "Puffi," not Smurfs.

-These people eat too much food. Way too much. They have three-course-meals at lunch and dinner (pranzo e chena). At each meal, they tell me I eat like a bird. They don't understand that a huge bowl of pasta is one meal in America, not an appetizer before a second course of meat, bread, and two vegetables.

-Driving here is terrifying. Enough said.

I'll tell some more stories later. Tonight I need to sleep. Just wanted to give you all a little update! Ciao ciao!

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

via

Today is the day!

I'm leaving on a jet plane. Headed to Italy!!!

Oh my goodness, y'all. I can't believe it's actually here!

My plan is to post every few days to keep y'all updated.

But let's be honest, it may only be once a week.

We'll see.

Regardless, I'm sooooo excited and I can't wait to tell you all about it!!

Ciao!

I have finally been placed with an Italian family for my study abroad trip this May!

Eeeeeeekkk!!!

It's almost creepy how alike our families are:

-four kids (three boys, one girl)

-the kids are about the same ages as my brothers and me

-girl plays the violin and piano

-they love the mountains

-they love to ride bikes/play sports

-they go to church

-mom loves to bake

It just can't get any better than that! I am soooooo excited to meet them in person. Let the email conversations begin!

Exciting News

I'm going to Modena, Italy in three months!!!

I'm going through UGA's College of Education to study abroad for the Maymester.

I absolutely cannot wait.

I've been looking at pictures and it is so gorgeous. The best part is that it isn't a tourist area so we will likely be the only Americans in town.

I'll be staying with a host family and working in an elementary school every morning.

On the afternoons and weekends, we'll be traveling to see more of Italy. We have two weekend trips planned to Florence and Venice.

Verona is very close so that is on my to-do list.

Any other suggestions? I want to make the most of the time I have there since it will be very short. I'd love to hear your thoughts!