Her flat is quite small compared to America, but large for here. The room the two of us share is way bigger than my freshman year dorm room from freshman year. We also definitely have way more closet space than we did freshman year. The beds were much more comfortable than at the hotel, but I'm still having a hard time adjusting to sleeping in Italy.
The woman also has a really sweet, adorable cat. That's one of the best parts of living there. As Jacob always reminds me, it has been proven that petting a cat reduces your stress. It's really nice to have an animal in the home.
She made us one of the biggest meals I've ever had. Madeline, my roommate, and I were stuffed! We realized later that while we were politely saying "grazie", to tell her we were done eating, she thought we were asking for more. So we were stuffing ourselves full! We had pasta al pesto, pollo, e gelato! I was so proud of myself for telling the host mother that I eat "tutto" or "everything". As we all know, this is far from true. But I figure this is my chance to try new things and stretch myself! I even had tea for breakfast :)
Then Madeline and I adventured this morning and found our way back to school. It's about a 20 minute walk, which is great to work off all our many many meals! Class has been fine, and I have my first quiz tomorrow. Send me luck :)
ciao,
amy
You just might eat tutti in Italia, Amy - especially pasta. Don't suppose you'll find any Kraft products, though! Where is Madeline from? What school does she attend? I'd like to know more about your program, too!
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that most cultures are very unclear about how to end things. On Tuesday, we had our grand convocation for the beginning of the school year. As the faculty gathered ahead of time, in full regalia, we were instructed on how to process. I asked, "and how are we to get back out, at the end?" No one really heard the question, or wanted to discuss it. But I knew from past experience that we would be sitting there, whispering, "are we just supposed to stand up and go, or what?" So when you described saying "grazie" and intending to communicate "we are really done eating now", I realized, it would be hard to get an Italian to even be able to describe what they do/say to indicate "enough already!" Probably in the past it was starting to smoke a cigarette. Not advising that, mind you. Beginnings and endings, an interesting thing to observe...
ReplyDeleteYeah, wouldn't recommend smoking, that just starts another problem ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're experimenting with the food there! I'm so jealous you get to have such good food; I've been trying to eat better since I got back from vacation, and I'm realizing more and more how much more expensive it can be to eat healthy food...
A good cat will be such a great companion whenever you need some comfort or company, what's his/her name (in Italian & English I'm curious to know)?
You should ask Bruce for some advice about the cat if you ever need it.
Can't wait for your next update Sis!