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