Ciao from Italia

Ciao tutti,

It’s been 2 official days here in Urbania and I feel that I’m finally starting to get settled in.  But that comes only after an awful travelling experience, which included a 1 hr delay in Charlotte that made me miss my connection to Brussels, which caused me to be redirected to Frankfurt and only to finally arrive in Italy 3 hours after I originally planned. 

My host family, Maria and Gianni, is very nice and the town is absolutely gorgeous.  It’s very antiquated and the quintessential small Italian town.  Everything is stone, there are clothes hanging on lines from windows, people flying by on scooters, etc.  Everyone I’ve meet in the program so far has been very nice and it has been so interesting learning about where everyone has come from, what’s going on in their lives, where they go to school, etc.  For example of our mixing pot, there is one boy from Quebec (with whom I successfully practiced my French), a girl from Sweden, and a girl from Turkey here!

I am so happy that I decided to come here this summer.  I am so excited to see how I grow, change, and learn these next six weeks.  My family speaks limited English and I’m hoping to be placed into an upper level Italian class, so my Italian will improve significantly, and the faculty here is amazing, so my musicality will grow just as much. Coachings and Italian classes start later today, so I’m excited to start on the journey!

Internet is sparse because it’s so expensive, I still don’t have a cell phone, I’ve gotten lost a couple of times (at one point last night, I thought I was going to have to sleep outside because I couldn’t find my house!), I miss my loved ones, but I know how amazing this opportunity is.  I’m glad I was able to be a part of it.  I owe my mother so much for working so hard to get me here. 

My house is very nice and has amazzzzing views!  The bathroom is quite small, but we make do.  We have to be careful with how much water we use in our showers because water is so expensive in Italy.  Our bathroom also has a bidet, which I used for the first time today…what an interesting adventure that was.

I will work hard to keep updates coming, but like I said, internet is hard to come by.  Hopefully the school will have its internet up and running soon, so I will be able to update the blog more.  Until then, here are a few pictures to keep you all tied over until next time.  Check facebook for a more complete compilation.

P.s. The first beer I ever ordered at a bar, the bartender didn’t make me pay for.  If that’s not #winning, I don’t know what is.

The view from my room. Can't complain!

La chiese dei morti "The church of the dead." This is right near my house and I walk past it every morning on my way to school.  The church bells ring throughout the day.

One of the many alleyways through the city

Ciao,

Mac

So the time has come...

Well, folks, today is the day!  I leave Charlotte around 3 this afternoon, weather permitting (and it BETTER permit it!) and will arrive in New Jersey around 5, then Brussels around 7:30 a.m. tomorrow and then finally arrive in Italia at 11:30.  Oy.  I just hope that nothing is delayed and all my bags arrive on time with me.  Speaking of bags, what a packing nightmare last night was.  Having to pack so much formal wear for our concerts was a pain (plus, I just wear a ton of clothes), but I was able to get it all packed up.  Hopefully I don't go over the 50 lb. weight limit.  If I do, I'm just going to have to pay the $25 charge, because there's no where I could displace some things.  C'est la guerre.

I wish you all the best and will blog as soon as I can.  As far as I know, there's only one coffee shop with wi-fi in the town, but I will get there as often as I can.

Ciao,
Mac

Less that 2 weeks...

Well, I am officially past the 2 weeks mark.  This time, on the 28th, I'll be flying from Belgium into Italy.  It's all still very surreal.

I am thrilled to be a part of such an outstanding program, but also very nervous.  Flying transatlantic and making so many conencting flights, the HUGE amount of difficult music that I have to memorize by the time I leave (oops...), and the calibre of singers with which I will be singing alongside.  So many of these singers are from conservatories, namely Eastman and Juilliard, with some being professionals already (one woman is part of the Met's young artist program...she is LITERALLY living my dream life).  I just find it hard to believe that I was considered good enough to sing alonside them, especially after some mixed reviews of my singing at competitions this year...I suppose it's all subjective.

Regardless, the music I am singing is so thrilling to me and I cannot wait to work on it more this summer.  I am also very excited to meet my host family!  I've been trying to decide if I should call them "mamma" and "papà"...? Thoughts?  I will be there for 6 weeks afterall...I suppose we'll see.  Also, I keep trying to decide what I should bring them as a gift?  What is intrinsically American...or North Carolinian for that matter?  Their city is a huge producer of ceramics, so pottery is out.  Maybe something from the Native Americans...or is that just cheesy?  At worst, I could bring them a gallon of sweet tea and a hushpuppy.  Or peanut butter--Can you believe they don't have peanut butter in Italy?!  I mean, I don't like it that much...but what if I get a hankerin' or something?? I'll pack an emergency Reese's, just incase.

All for now--Enjoying my remaining days in the US of A.

Con amore,
Mac