However, I once again made myself get out of bed and went down stairs for breakfast! I had the same as yesterday...coffee yogurt, fette tostate with peace jelly this time, and one piece with what is similar to nutella, & the tropical juice.
I came upstairs and read facebook. Let me just say, facebook is hilarious after a presidential debate; all of the backhanded comments and jokes about the candidates. The only American tv I could find last night was FOX NEWS (say what you want about it, but let's see how you feel when you just need to hear some English...), so I knew that the debates would be happening, but I failed to consider what facebook would be like afterwards. Oh well, it provided some laughter this morning.
Once I had everything that I needed, I was off to the Agenzia delle Entrate to get my Codice Fiscale (like a social security number). Thank goodness I wrote down the directions the other day because I had to stop and ask directions like 5 or 6 times because I never found the streets I needed (until MUCH later!). However, nice people instructed me along the way! One man was shocked that I was going to walk another 20 minutes...Sir, do I look like I am afraid to walk!??! ;) Along the way I saw a funeral at a church. Do not judge, but I had to take a picture of the herse (sp?!?!?) because I knew my daddy would want to see it. It was a Mercedes. We definitely do not have that at home; well, not that I know of! Also, I passed a doctor's office with a radiology clinic (from what I could understand). So, April, I found Mark a job and you guys can move whenever you'd like. I'll be here until July! 
At my final stop, well final directions asking stop, the gas attendant (because they do not pump their own gas) told me to ride with this man and his wife. The man insisted that I get in the car with his wife, so I did. Now, PLEASE do not freak out on me and tell me I should not have done so. The gas attendant and man seemed to know each other and the man's wife insisted that I get in. She understood my broken Italian and I understood her...a little. She said they were happy to take me, and that it was just down the road. Also, with as fast as he would be going on this road...I could have jumped out, especially at the red light. So no worries! God has placed nothing but kind, helpful people in my path.
So, he dropped me off at the front of the building (it did save me a good 10 minutes), and I was immediately confused. Thankfully an official looking person spotted me and walked up to help me. He sent me across the street to the newsstand to get a copy of my passport made (yes, a copier in the newsstand), and the guy made it for free! How nice of him!! Then I went back and found that guy. He helped me fill out the forms and then took me into the back door to the lady who filed the paperwork. I'm pretty sure I saw like 20 people in the waiting room...and I am pretty sure that I was supposed to have waited behind all of them. The guy told the lady that I did not understand much Italian, and so I think she wanted to help me and get me out of her way as soon as possible. Hey, I'm NOT complaining! Now, if I can just get the Residence Permit taken care of tomorrow, I will be feeling pretty good about the Italian bureaucracy. Also, the guy could not understand that "Marie" is my middle name, and NOT a double/hyphenated name, so my official name in Italy is "Elyse Marie"! Well, really when they said it, it is "Elisa Maria"! I'm okay with that! I like the way it sounds when they say it! So at this point I was feeling rather accomplished and proud of myself. Well, proud in the way that I did not get frustrated, not once. God placed kind and generous people in my path. I have been praying for months that this would happen and I've said it a million times, "He has gone before me and He will go with me!" I have seen evidence all around at how He laid the groundwork for my time here in Cosenza. The walk did provide a few other things: good exercise, good sunshine, & beautiful views of those hillsides/mountains that I cannot get enough of yet! Once I left the office, codice fiscale in hand, I called my momma! I was so excited to have this official thing marked off the list that I had to share! I was explaining to her that where I was walking was not unsafe, but looked a bit sketchy because it just was not as clean as you would expect! Again I say, "Toto I am not in Florence anymore!" However, it provided beautiful views of the mountains. I was determined to find something to eat, which did not happen!
 |
| Picture I was taking when he approached |
Here is why: I stopped in this place to get some gelato (my treat once again for doing something official without frustration and no tears...there was no need in this case), and I got 1/2 macaron (ehh...it was okay) and 1/2 caffe (this coffee flavored gelato was the best...reeeeeeaaallly tasted like coffee). I was able to converse a bit with the guy, but alas my vocabulary needs some work. However, I attempted and did not revert to English! When I am doing this, and my left hand is free, I always rub my fingers over my bracelet that says, "Sto imparando", so that I am remembering that I am learning and NOT failing! After I paid, I left to continue, but not too far down the road I stopped to take a picture. This guy asked if I wanted my picture taken and I said, "No grazie!" He insisted on talking to me and telling me his name and asking me for mine. His name was...oh crap...it was...clearly not Marcello because I cannot even remember his name! Then, he insisted on walking with me. He was talking to me, but I had to explain that I could not understand him and he needed to speak slowly. Ahh...his name was Claudio. Anyway, he started asking me for something and I could NOT understand. Eventually I understood that he wanted a kiss. WHAT? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR EVER LOVING MIND MY FRIEND?!?!? I dont know you! I kept insisting that I would not because I did not know him and he kept saying that we were getting to know each other. Um excuse me friend, with you holding my waste that way, I CANNOT WALK!!!!!!! It was rather annoying and he kept asking me to go out tonight. Umm...NO! He also insisted that I take a picture with him; what is it with the two creeper guys I've met in Italy!?!? Unfortunately, he was veeeeeeerrrrrrrryyyy unattractive in my eyes and smelled like onions/body odor. He was sweet to tell me I was beautiful, but I was not caring for the situation. Then he insisted that we sat down on the bench and talk, which meant he was sitting so close to me that I could barely breathe and he smelled like onions. YUCK! I eventually made it clear that I should go (acutally, this whole time I was pretty impressed with my Italian). I did NOT want him to follow me all the way back to the hotel, so I started saying that IIII had to go and he said, "We" and I said, "noooo...I should go" (Devo andare). Also, I should note that this whole time I was praying...praying that I would be kept safe; that he would not follow me to the hotel (which I had already mapped out a plan to go to a DIFFERENT hotel than my own); and that I would get out of this soon! He eventually got the point and left me alone. He insisted on the double cheek kiss thing and went on his way! CREEPER!!!! At one point I had to tell him that I could not walk because he was walking so close to me! YUCK!! I dont know you! WHY IS IT THAT I ATTRACT THE CREEPERS?!?!?!?!? **Gracie Avery, I hope you enjoyed this story!** |
| Pretty street pre-creeper |
For lunch I headed out to find a sandwich. The thing is, I hope you aren't hungry at lunch time around here because most things are closed. I did manage to find a sandwich with ham, tomato, lettuce, & waaayyy too much mayonnaise (in Florence all of the sandwiches were dry...no mayonnaise). I got it to go and began walking. I walked the looong way back to the main street area and found a bench to sit down on. It truly is amazing to me how everything shuts down after 1 and does not reopen until after 4ish; even eating places! I enjoyed people watching while I ate (most) of my sandwich. I had to take one piece of bread off so that I could get rid of some of the mayo; I like mayo, but whoa!!
After I ate, I walked a bit more, went in some random shops (where I found all kinds of things I might need eventually...little things...household things...etc). Then I came back to the hotel to talk to my momma and daddy before my momma left to go to Chattanooga with the ladies group (3L club). It was good to talk to them again...and for about an hour. Then I updated my blog...put pictures on facebook...talked to April briefly...and got dressed to go with Lilla. Thank goodness for welcoming people!
When Lilla arrived, we started out for a walk. She insisted that we have gelato at, "the best place in town to have it!" Who could say no?? So, I had 1/2 fragola (strawberry) and 1/2 hazelnut (which I think is niccolia...something). We sat and ate it, and then we walked down the main street of Cosenza, which was full of people out for their passeggiata. We stopped and looked in windows, Lilla bought a pair of shoes, and we made our way to the historical center of town. We briefly went into a church and it was gorgeous. We crossed the river as the sun was setting. It was beautiful, but not nearly as amazing as what I was about to experience. 
I think tonight I fell in love with Cosenza a bit! The historical center is breathtaking! Just gorgeous! We went up this narrow street....ughhh Lilla told me the name of it twice, but I still cannot remember. This is why I cannot improve my Italian; I keep forgetting things! Anyway, we stopped in a few stores. The Italians and I have different opinions on beautiful clothing and shoes. I did see some things that I liked, but I couldn't afford most of them! I want to do this area of town justice, but I simply cannot! I can tell you that it is just how I always pictured Italy! Narrow streets, small shops, steep & narrow staircases, vines on the walls, plants everywhere, etc. etc. Pictures will have to do:
 |
| The Theatre |
 |
| Governor's Place |
Also while we walked, we discussed what topics I might cover with the students. Since Lilla did a huge project on the Civil Rights movement a few years ago, she said that her students are interested in covering: violence, racism, etc. etc. in Alabama. This should be interesting. The overwhelming part is that I will be in 4 different classrooms at their school and at least 1 at the other school (I dont know details yet), and so that is potentially A LOT of different subjects to cover and prepare for. I feel like it is a bit unreasonable to for me to do so many in-depth topics at once. Two, sure; but I am nervous about more than that! I did mention reading "The Help" and she said that the students do not read much! I found that a bit hard to believe. I mean, reading is what I do best in Italian; it is what has helped my language skills! I'm going to discuss this with them some more because I feel that reading is important and "The Help" is about racism/the Civil Rights in the South. Plus there is a movie! :) And I brought the movie with me! :) A girl last year did a book club with students who wanted to participate...perhaps I'll suggest that; as an extracurricular type thing. It might be worth a shot; worth mentioning!
Also on our walk I asked about Christmas holidays! They get out on the 22nd or 23rd and are out until January 6th. I mentioned wanting to travel during that time, and Lilla said that her and Virginia were hoping that I would spend Christmas with them. She said they had talked about me spending Christmas Eve with Lilla, her mom, her sister, and her sister's family, and then spending Christmas Day with Virginia and her family! OMG...how sweet! They've thought as far in advance as Christmas! I immediately said, "Yes! Of course!" Lilla mentioned that Christmas Eve is an all fish dinner...which I remembered from Fran, Nonna, & the rest of my NYC family! So, perhaps I'll bring something to eat! ;) I will contribute something more "American"! I was just overwhelmed at their forethought and kindness!
So we made our way back to the city center. Lilla stopped in a few pharmacies and it was good to see familiar products. I even saw the topical medicine that I use on my knees (Voltaren); it was in Italian, but it was it! :) I like seeing some familiar things mixed in with new! So Lilla brought me back to the hotel, and I asked the man at the front desk (my favorite man) about a restaurant. He took me out this door of the hotel that led to the street "above" us (he used a really cool key!) and pointed me to it!
Dinner: So I walked in and the guy asked if I was alone. I said yes, and he asked why i was not out walking and why I was eating dinner so early! Well sir, I am American and hungry. The American part is only important because I do not eat dinner at 9 pm! ;) So, he seated me, brought me bread (& olive oil, which he joked and said was from California...but it was really Calabrian oil),
and I ordered spaghetti con pomodoro and something.  |
| There is MUCH more on this plate than it appears |
 |
| Meat thingys |
 |
| Inside the restaurant |
 |
| Wine and fake rose! |
No comments:
Post a Comment