Friday, September 27, 2013

Giorno tre

9-26-13
The last two days have flown by. On Wednesday evening myself and the other three girls decided to hike to corciano which is a little village a mile from the villa, but the whole way is a vertical hill. We needed to go to corciano to use the ATM, explore and acclimate ourselves to our new settings. I don't think I can even begin to explain how strange it is to know nobody, let alone have a language barrier, only to find out that EVERYONE knows you. The bar tender in Perugia greeted us outside of his shop and said, " are you the Montana girls?"

So terrifyingly strange

Then they all proceed to speak about you in Italian while you are standing next to them.
Later that evening we walked back down the ominous, vertical hill to dinner. As I was photographing my journey home, a blackberry thorn vine wrapped around both f my ankles slicing open my skin. I literally looked like I had kicked a porcupine. Trying to find someone who spoke English for a first aid kit was a fight in and of itself. There were two men gardening behind the Villa so I walked over, pointed to my leg, and said "first aid kit." One of them shoo-ed me away, but then the other one lead me to the kitchen where Angelo was teaching a cooking lesson. I felt awful taking him away from class, but I wasn't sure if tent thrones would make me sick or not. Poor Pauola (the house keeper) was sprinting through the villa trying to locate alcohol and cotton balls while Angelo pulled out my thorns  and tried to stop the bleeding. When I was all doctored up, Angelo invited my group and I to get a drink with he, and the other American group here in the outskirts of Corciano. So after an amazing dinner of homemade pasta (that I interrupted with my leg), Zane, Brandon, Molly, and I joined our new friends Mark, Susan, and Angelo. I was fortunate to try a Dolce and Gabanna martini (hopefully I can bring some home) and got to meet several of the locals in town. It was probably one of the funniest nights I have had in awhile.
After class yesterday we decided to hike to Corcina again for money and spritzers (wine and soda+a sunset ;)). We found out the hard way that spritzers are more culturally acceptable in the early afternoon than whiskey at...let's say noon. Oops. Dinner was my strangest yet. It was italian noodles with eggs and ham. This is what I believe to be italian breakfast for dinner. We also had the fortune of attending our first fancy italian art(Arte) party!

Today was pretty normal, until the ATM DECIDED TO EAT MY CARD. We are leaving for Rome on Sunday so I have no way of paying for anything. I guess this is the time to not be too proud or humble to ask for help.

This trip has definitely been a new cultural experience with all emotionally expressive words used to describe how I have been feeling. It is time for bed so ciao for now.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Giorno due

9-24-2013

I woke up with pressure in my ears, like I was on an airplane. So I take that as a sign that my body is finally acclimating to Italy. We had italian lessons twice today, with art history class in the middle. Catia drove us up the hill to Corcina before lunch so we could purchase needed toiletries, and then walk back to the villa. Corcina is a beautiful village with narrow, cobbled, vertical streets that is a wonder to us from the U.S. We found a small bar and enjoyed a drink. While Molly was investigating the ATM, we received a first hand experience in learning the word "cat," which is gotto in Italian. This gotto walked up to us with a lizard in it's mouth. It was almost a parade to show us it's find. When it dropped the lizard, it tried to run. But the gotto was not about to let that happen. It nonchalantly ripped off the lizards tail. It could have been the most terrifying/scaring thing I have encountered here so far.
Catia (our Italian teacher) formed us that the castle next to the villa will be open on Saturday along with all of the museums in Italy due to heritage day. Were all very excited to finally get to see the interior of the castle. After dinner Michele (the owner of the villa, Mi

-kay-lay, italian version of Michael) invited us to his presentation on how to make fruit liquore, then the group proceeded to learn an Italian song and sing karaoke. It was definitely an enjoyable/interesting day.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Giorno uno


12:00p.m.-Today is our first actual day at the villa in Perugia, Italy. Currently I am sitting on a rooftop soaking up sun and enjoying the views of the ancient castle of Pieve del escovo, grape vineyards, and the Villa. Lunch will begin at 13:00 (1:00), followed by our first Italian lesson. So far our stay has been eye opening, and relaxing all at the same time. Yesterday, in our travels, we received a taste of everyday Italian life. Italy is a beautiful place with pain seeping from every crack in it's seems. When traveling by train there are fast views of ancient buildings covered in modern street art. People line up make-shift beds along the train tunnel walls to sleep away from the elements and they wash clothing in nearby water. At the station, the art of begging is perfected to ensure some flow of income through, clothing, word choice, gestures, and use of disadvantages.

Our first evening in the Villa we enjoyed a meal consisting of angry pasta, peas and beef, and strawberry liquor. Wine is always a dinner necessity. Breakfast in Italy is so far consistent of pastries an fruit. I would describe the Villa, but there are not words to elaborate such beauty, only art and photography could help one to understand.If you listen you can hear birds , sat cars and the sounds of true peace. 

Our first Italian class was full of new educational meanings to the world. It was almost too much to retain, but I think over the next few weeks I will be becoming better at it as I will be aiming to use it frequently. Some of the words I found interesting were as follows:

Uno- stanchi (Ston-ki) = tired
Due- mi dispiace (me dis-pe-che) = sorry
Tre- Io sono Heather (e-o so-no) = I am Heather
Quattro- grazie (grat-z-a) =hello
Cinque- bello = beautiful
Sei- la macchina (ma-ki-ah-na) = the wine

I feel that I learned a lot today, and I am very excited to do so. I  am also very excited to meet more new people and finally begin to understand/speak to them. It is currently 22:00 (10 pm) here so I am going to work on homework, and head to bed! Buenosera (good night)!