Lucca: Quiet Tuscan Sophistication

Lucca. Today was the day meant for travel. I started out by sleeping. Pizzas late with the girls makes this girl unwakable. Then it was time to head out. I brushed my teeth, put on some clothes, drank espresso, put on my face and decided my hair was not worth the work. Grabbed a camera and purse crammed an English book and words of the day journal and went on my merry way. On the way to the bus to town to catch a train I walked my normal route. Through a secret path everyone knows about. While walking on this path I stumbled upon a man urinating in the bush. He managed to put everything away and say scusa. Then sorry.  Then he followed me to the bus stop in hopes that this inappropriate time was perfect to hit on me. He asked if I was married, and I very coyly said yes. Surprise!

I must give Italian men props. The are brave in the very worst ways.

I am starting to recognize this place as home. Not the buildings but the people. I see the same bleach blonde take her child to school the same woman with nice shoes walk to the bus and the same old man ride his bike.

 

A regular site in Pisa

The tain ride was simple and thiugh I wanted to read , I couldn't take my eyes or camera off the scenery. I arrived in a flash and headed to the wall around the city. The 4k walk was short yet long. I stopped to take pictures of everything. Coming off the wall I headed toward a piazza. Went into a cafe because I followed the blonde. Turned out his name is Adrian...like Monk. He is from Hawaii and is in Italy for his brothers wedding in Florence. I love running into Americans

Walking around Lucca helps me fall in love with  Italy. I walk by a pasticceria or a cheese shop. People seem to respect the beauty here. No...I do not mean me. I walked through a street and heard the whistle of a song. I first thought it my phone but realized it was a happy man's song. Old men ride bikes and people surround their lives around the duomo. I walk into it. Silence. Respect. A dead person or saint on display. Ok...somethings I do not understand.

 



I walked into a bookstore to get my first novel in Italian. I approached the vender to ask for a suggestion for someone learning to read Italian.  He immediately took me to the children's section.  I then told him I would like to read something I could show in public.  He showed me a book in the children's section written by an author that also wrote the adult version. Same exact book, just a slightly less colorful cover.  I was sold.  I know will be learning to read Italian with Italo Calvino/II visconte dimezzato.  I have no idea either.

I paid 4 euros to go atop the tower that has the trees...iconic for Lucca.  It was worth every contatti. Check it out for yourself.

I continued to walk through the streets of Lucca. I ran into whiffs of sweet scents carried by the blowing strong wind.  I never wish to leave.

Lofty, yet Semi-Reasonable Goals

As a new arriver in Italy, I have set goals for myself, to well...be better.  Think of it at New Year's that starts at the end of May, and last until next June.  Not like New Years in one way, however, I plan to keep all of these resolutions.

Goal #1: The most important to me right now, is make friends.  This year is a time to be myself without the influence of people who have always had much on me.  Here, I get to be completely who I choose to be, and make friends that are semi to completely ok with that.

Goal #2: Learn Italian.  5 Years of Spanish, I am told is of use here, however, being that I cannot understand a word of what people say to me other than, Ciao or Lei parla Italiano? I really need to work on this.  So my mornings I intend to fill with self guided Italian lessons, along with tandum language exchanges to teach English/learn Italian.

Goal #3:  Yoga and running every morning.  Yoga is awesome, this should not be an issue. Running sucks, so I really must work at this.  I have found a nice place that is a short bus ride away to run along the river.

Goal #4: Improve my Spanish skills. It has come to my attention, not only to I love children and teaching them, but I also love language and culture.  My Master's degree, therefore, when I go home will not only be in Elementary Education, but also, foreign language education.  Spanish is more useful in the USA than Italian, so maybe I will just be a jack of all languages.

Goal #5:  Learn to make really great coffee.  Espresso is a staple to Italian society.  Although, I already have a taste for coffee, I must acquire the bitter liking of espresso.

The final Goal:  Perhaps the best of goals, I need to remember this year will fly by and enjoy the short 12 months I have here.  As an expat hoping to get a following of future or current foreign travelers, I need to remember this culture is here to be appreciated.  This language is one to be loved.  This time is meant to be cherished. Go Globetrotters!

And for a wonderful video, that I did not create, but is my favorite in the world:

 

I will use the blog to report my progress on these goals. So keep coming back to learn more about life in Italy.  Dolce Vita!

The rather ordinary me...

Today, in efforts to feel more positive about living in a new beautiful country, I decided to smile more. Woke up smiling. Ok, that's not completely true, but after I decided not to go running, I was smiling.

I went to my work and was greeted by people happy to see me. This made me feel a little better.  I signed a contract that says, yes, I do work in Pisa, and went on my merry way.  In efforts to be a better expat, I've decided to learn the local language/most beautiful language in the world...Italian.  I went to the local university to find students to work language with in tandum. This means, I will teach English, they will teach Italian. This will of course, be free. That's my price range.

I was invited into come into two English classrooms and let students ask me questions in English.  This happened of course, not before I was hit by a pigeon in the piazza. Yep, a bird flew into me as I ate gelato for the, to many-th time.

After going out with coworkers and students, it is decided, this year will be wonderful.  I am thrilled to learn Italian, joyful over the fact I will work with such great English speakers, and pumped to hear every students iconic story.

 

Some Italian students

Looking forward to hearing the story of every student.  Cannot wait to understand their language.  Pumped to have great friends in a spectacular country.  Hoping to gain more expat experience.  And as the Italians would say:

 



Saluti



The Form in which It Sinks In

It is day 5 of the adventure of a lifetime.  I have still met absolutely no one.  The decision to move to a foreign country seems less appealing currently.  The only thing I could come up with to meet someone, anyone is going to the English section of the Italian bookstore. Maybe I could get lucky, and meet one with my tongue! Nope. I just ended up buying The Canterbury Tales, for the old English, because I miss hearing my ugly words way too much.

I have never thought the letters B-A-R would mean so much to me, yet I go in hopes of meeting an American, or Brit, or South African! Where are the people I am supposed to meet and have friendships with for the rest of my life. This is not going to plan.  Not to plan at all.

My bedroom view as I mope.

As I sit and read the Canterbury Tales, journaling about my 5th day loneliness, and make myself pasta, I listen to "King of Spain," by the Tallest Man of Earth.  It makes me think I should have chose a country in which I may have had the ability to communicate. Years of Spanish is better than no Italian.  I keep answering all here in Spanish, why did I not choose Spain. What was I thinking!

The new revised plan is sign up for an Italian language course, and meet other people in the same boat as me. Expat to expat. Plus, of course, I will be going out with co-workers tomorrow night.  Possibly with more confidence I will find more people.  Until then, I will cry into my English Classic, hoping to read an Italian novel by the end of the year.

Right now, I am rethinking my entire outlook. For anyone who knows me, they know I choose place over people 100% of the time.  All you need to be happy to is travel to beautiful places.  As I sit alone in my apartment, I realize I was horribly wrong. Here's to loving people.

Per l'amore di persone!

The Everyday Difficulties

How is it I am supposed to set an alarm clock with military time with instructions in Italian. You don't know? Me either.  O, how am I supposed to buy an Italian cell phone with a plan of 24 months when I will only be here for 12? You don't know? Me either.

How do I ward off men hitting on me, when really I need there help with directions, or ordering food? You don't know? Me either.

Man who offered help by taking me out to dinner.

How do I explain to someone I have just told I live in Pisa, that I do not know how to get to that place they are asking about...I've never heard of that street. You don't know. Me either.

How do I make myself not feel like an idiot when I hear three year old Italian children speak better Italian then me, when chasing birds. You don't know? Me either.

Kids chasing birds

I have found I am running into several difficulties in starting a life from scratch in a foreign country, that I never really thought about.  Of course, these problems could be avoided if I learn the language, which is motivation for me to study.

Here's to studying by watching the Simpsons in Italian.  By ordering pizza.  By site-seeing in the Campo de Miracole.

Seriously, could life get any better?  You don't know?  Me either.

...Ciao Italia! (the happy part)

Let's just be honest.  I had to run to my first flight.  My second flight included a seven hour layover, that turned to eight.  I got lost for my third flight. Then I arrived it London.  I sat down, and decided to reward myself for such a big leap of faith.  I drank a cappuccino.  And I realized how much I admire the European lifestyle--  The portion where you appreciate the details, yet somehow forget about the unimportant matters.

Then it was time to board the plane to Pisa.  The butterflies in my stomach caused by a lack of knowing the language, mixed with the hunger pangs I had from not finishing my dinner, made me sick.  I sat on the plane, and immediately made the barf bag a point of view.

How in the world could I be moving to a foreign country, in which I don't speak the language.  Just because I enjoy culture, travel, and language.  What have I done???  Obviously this is some mistake.  My family misses me already. I should be home, right?

Then I saw them.  The Italian Alps.  They looked life sharp frosted glass piercing through clouds of white cotton.  I was stunned.  So stunned in fact, I just had to tell the man next to me  "Look!" Those mountains are freakin' awesome!

The man, who did not speak English, said something in Italian that had to mean, beautiful, or marvelous, or spectacular.  I realized then I was going to be ok.  He said a word that I don't understand, but we both understood.

Moments later I started an Italian conversation with him.  We talked about my job, Pisa, Portofino, US military, the size of the city.  I understood. I realize how ok, I can be.

I arrived in Italy greeted by my new boss, Teresa.  She was wonderful, and showed me the closest things to my apartment, how to turn on the water heater, (thank God, I'm not into cold showers,) and greeted me with something that tells me, I am home now.  For a year, I am home.  And I will love this adventure.

Here is the new link to my first video in Italy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ98_N-LgWQ

 

 

Arrivederci USA (the sad part)...

I am in the Baltimore airport for a nice 7 hour lay over.  I almost missed my flight out this morning, made it only by using my out of shape body to run through the terminal.  When I got to the closing gate, my lungs hurt. But here, I have arrived.  My second of four flights.

The thrill of moving to Italy is becoming more tangible, as I have now said all my goodbyes.  After tears and tissues, I have finally done it.

Things are going pretty well so far.  I did get to my flight.  The extremely hot coffee I had in air did not spill on me.  Southwest informed me they recycle (way to go tree huggin' airlines!) The tears are now over.

Windows Movie maker is giving me the most difficult time, yet, I am still on cloud nine.  So, as promised, here is the grand goodbye. In video form of course!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWNORhQw6qE

 

I will soon figure out why it does not directly link to my page.

So, this post is dedicated to all things goodbye.  Mia Famiglia, mio amichi, mia cane, mia casa. So for an little added bonus, good bye college.  Here's to no more undergrad, and welcome to the real world/fantasy world of Italia.

Megan sat through the whole darn thing

My parents!

Adam! So grateful he came!

 

Now for this goodbye video. I asked no one's permission, so please don't sue. See it as fame, and go with it.

 

WOW! Everyone! I did it. I'm moving to Italy.  To all those I love, just know, I'll be thinking of you while I iron all of the clothes I rolled and vacuum sealed into my two suitcases and one carry. Ciao!

Literacy on Steriods

To help prepare myself for the BIG move, in the most useless ways possible, I have been watching many Italian movies, reading "Under the Tuscan Sun," and listening to Dean Martin. (Ok, Dean Martin, Josh Groban in Italia, and Andrea Bocelli.)  Now, in my common young dreamer mind, this is definitely preparing me to move to a foreign country, learn a language I've only been studying for three months, and concentrate on the wonderful facebook pictures I will obtain.

Luckily I love to read, and find value in almost all TV I watch. Maybe not Matlock, but it's a classic anyway.

The important things such as: packing, applying for an international driver's license, scheduling physicals, and eye exams....well, that's just not happening.  I did however, hang a very large map on my wall that I fully intend to put a push pin in every place I go in this wonderful year adventure.  Which basically means, I will need new dry wall next year.

 

 

Packing, I will undoubtedly put off until I can no longer.  This is the norm for me.  However, I suppose packing for a week is not quite as intense as packing for a year.  Ahhh...that is frightening.

When it comes to studying Italian, I have not been as aggressive as I probably should be.  I do know now how to say I want voglio and I need ho bisogno di which I believe will serve me well.  I also happen to be quite great at talking with my hands, talking very loudly incase the volume is the issue in the miscommunication, and use rather dramatic facial expressions. Thank goodness for eyebrows!

Only a few days left before I board the plane.  It's almost 10pm, which is almost midnight, so I can almost say, only 8 days left!!! I am jumping up and down on the outside and girlishly squealing on the inside. Yeah, sometimes those squeals make their way outside. But I am moving to Italia where I plan to eat gelati and sing about amore. So sue me.

As I continue to read some Frances Mayes, in an old book I picked up at a used bookstore in D.C. I have to thank God I can read!

Game Plan:

Here's the plan, and what I am pretty sure will happen due to the fact it's only 10 sweet short days away!

I am moving to Italy to teach English.  I will be living in Pisa, in Tuscany, (please do think of the chick flicks when you think of me,) and enjoying a pretty great job.

As of recent, I have been hired to work with the Wallstreet Institue in Pisa, to be the full time English teacher.  I will be teaching adults, which freaks me out slightly, but I will be in Italia, so how in God's name can I complain.

I have been really blessed in many ways, including how everything is working out for the best.  I received an apartment, that I can move into immediately, I will make enough soldi to live on and travel.  I will have a contract of a complete year, which means I will not be home until next June.  And, I have a rather attractive man following me there only 5 short weeks later.

Last year when I found out I had dual citizenship in Germany, I realized how many possibilities I have.  I graduate in 7 days and leave in 10.  I have a slight amount of pride in what I have accomplished, that I believe deserves to be there.

So the big question has been, "Aren't you scared to live in a foreign country?"
My answer...No.  I elated!  The opportunity there is thrilling, the portion I am nervous about is leaving my loved ones behind.  So much can change in a year, and I really don't want to miss it.  I will keep up with everyone as much as I can, but being a 9 hour plane ride away, makes it slightly more difficult.

So the plan for this blog is to update it as much as a I can, mainly to brag about my adventures, but also just to keep everyone in the loop.  Maybe some can live vicariously through me.

And now, for what everyone has been wondering: On May 22nd at 6:30am I fly out of Pittsburgh, (to Baltimore, to New York, to London, and then to Pisa.)