24 hours of traveling...I AM EXHAUSTED!!!
Yesterday morning I got up around 7 and ate my oatmeal for breakfast (already miss it), took my Chili for one last walk, showered, & got dressed. It was reeeeeeeeeallly hard to leave my house. It didn't hit me until I had to hug Chili and then put him outside. It was hard to close my bedroom door too!! I squeezed all of my animals, made sure everything was in the car, and we were off. Oh, and Kelly and the girls called me as I was leaving...a beautiful surprise. I just felt bad that I was crying when they called.
So we were off to the airport! My mom dropped us off and ran back home to get a blanket I had forgotten. I checked my bags and sat down with my daddy! I talked to my Aunt Susan and then my mom made it back to sit with us! I did NOT want to go through security! I ran to the bathroom before security and then it was time. I definitely started crying and it was reeeeeealllly hard to let go! I did eventually let go and went through security! My bags were already weighing me down and everyone in line was looking at me like I was crazy because I was crying! It just reminded me that you never know what people around you are going through...you never know why they are at the airport.
The flight to Atlanta was short and smooth. While in Atlanta I got some water, talked to my momma, and talked to April on the phone! I was beginning to get sad again because I knew once I shut my phone off on the airplane that it was official...I'd be on Italian everything...time, phone system, prices for phone calls, internet, language, etc. So, with my luggage weighing me down I got on the plane.
Surprisingly, for the person who used to be a nervous wreck on airplanes, I was very calm. I felt this way the last time I flew to Italy. I know it is due to the constant prayers from myself and others. I know God was drowning me in peace, and I am so grateful for that! I was happy about the family sitting next to me as well! The mom was from Southern Italy (other side of the boot though), and she gave me a lot of information. She said that people would be warm and welcoming, much like in the South (U.S.); she told me that the food was MUCH better than Northern Italy; hmm...she told me about the dialects, etc. Her husband is American, but is fluent in Italian and they met in Italy. She has been living in the U.S. for 10 years. They were leading a tour group on a pilgrimage type trip for their Catholic church. She told me that one of the things she loves most about the Catholic church is that you can go anywhere in the world, no matter the language, and understand the service because it is standard. So, she was a nice person to talk to.
Gracie wanted me to watch good movies. Well Gracie, you will be disappointed to know that I did not watch Hunger Games, though it was an option. I did however watch "What to expect when you're expecting". All this did was reassure me that I dont care to birth any babies...sooo...surrogates? Adoption for sure! Then I slept and eventually watched an episode of "The Big Bang Theory" and it was just as funny as promised! I also watched "When Harry Met Sally" so that I could go to sleep to a familiar movie, and the last part of the flight I watched some of "Morning Glory"; again I chose a familiar movie, but this time it was because I knew I would not be able to finish it!
Food: THe in-flight food was good. My dinner was pasta, a little bread thing, and a cinnamon brownie (weird, but good!). They gave us a snack of a little turkey/cheese sandwich and I ate the meat and cheese. Breakfast was this huge, HOT bread thing stuffed with veggies and cheese! It was soooo good; oh, and a banana! I also had chosen wine to drink for dinner that night because it was free and I knew it would help me sleep! It wasn't the best wine, but I just had a little bit and so it was fine! I mean what do you expect from airplane wine?!?!
ROME: So, I arrived in Rome, dreading dealing with all of my luggage for the next few hours. First thing I did when I got off the plane was BRUSH MY TEETH!! Felt so good! Then I went and stood in the passport line with half the population of Italy! ;) No really, we were like cattle...and I was sweating and my backpack was HEAVY...I tried to just scoot my stuff with my foot as much as possible. However, once I reached the passport guy it was ALL WORTH IT!!!! HE STAMPED MY PASSPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO HOO!!! Some reading this may say, "duh, that is standard." Well, I beg to differ my friends because they did NOT stamp it last time...even when I begged!!! So, no need for tears or an International news story about the little American girl crying hysterically in Rome's airport over a passport stamp! I was also very happy that my phone was working, so I was able to call my momma and daddy to let them know I was in Italy; this also allowed me to text April and Erin so that they could let others know I was there! Anyway, so after the passport, I got a luggage cart thing and then went to get my luggage. On the way though, I stopped at this cell phone thing and they checked my Italian SIM card, and it is in fact working! Yay! So now I just have to reload it with euros, and/or get a plan (not likely though). Getting my luggage was smooth, though for a minute I thought my big one was lost because they had taken some off of the carousel and then I spotted it! I went looking for the train, but ended up taking the bus and saved 11euro. The ride into Rome was uneventful, but did prove to me that all parts of Italy are not the gorgeous old ruins and fields of grapes/olives/sunflowers that we picture! I did however see A LOT of car manufacturers.
The train station was difficult. My luggage was SOOOO heavy and people would not get out of the way! I had to get a number to wait in line for a chance to buy a ticket, but bought it with about 10-12 minutes to spare, and I was so happy that I got the eurostar train I wanted, which meant I did NOT have to change trains at all. I ended up with first class so that I would have more room for luggage, etc. and I do not even care if someone thinks it was a rip off...it was AMAZING! The seat reclined so far back I was able to sleep soundly and there were very few people in there so it was quiet. The scenery that I did see was BEAUTIFUL. I woke up a few times and saw mountains/hills/fields/quaint little places. I kept waking up thinking more time had passed than truly had and it kept freaking me out. When I finally got the time straight, I had about 45 minutes until Paola. So, I fought sleep and stayed awake, and am I ever glad that I did. The last 45 minutes was spent watching the waves crash against the coastline. I saw cliffs, huge rock formations, sandy beaches, people sunbathing, and beautiful sunshine!
I called Virginia from Paola and she said that Lilla would meet me at the train station, and she gave me a brief description of Lilla. When I got off the train I found her immediately, and she was talking on the cell. As I approached her and she realized it was me, she started telling the other person, all in Italian of course, that I was blonde and pretty. She gave me the double kiss and then we went to get in her car. This was the first time I'd been in a car in Italy (well, last time I took 3 cabs...but this was different). We were off to the hotel. The car was a stick shift (so far the two cars I've been in have been stick shifts), but the funny thing was that she stalled the car like 5 or 6 times, and twice in the intersection. So the reason that matters is...IT MAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER ABOUT MY STICK SHIFT DRIVING ABILITIES!!!! I so desperately wanted to pick up the phone and call my daddy immediately to tell him about this!!! So then we eventually got to the hotel and she helped me check in and find my room. Then she was off to go back to the school where they were having a meeting with their headmistress about their recent trip to Ireland. OOOOH....Lilla told me that she once did this huge project on Martin Luther King Jr. and had been in contact with the tourist department in soooome city in Alabama, but she could not remember which city. I suggested Birmingham, and she said, "YES!!" I said, "that's my hometown!!" WHAT A SMALL WORLD?!?!?!? She also mentioned that she imagined me with very dark skin and dark hair (this will be important later).
Once in the hotel, she promised to call me later about dinner, which Virginia had suggested earlier. So, I took a shower, got on the internet, skyped with my daddy, and did my regular Italian thing of talking to April on facebook (where our friendship first grew!). The hotel is nice...smallish, but perfect for me! Thankfully, they called the hotel phone to tell me that Lilla would be by to pick me up at 8:15 and that their headmistress wanted to come to dinner as well so that she could meet me (nerves set in immediately). The other teacher, Valeria, called the hotel to welcome me as well! Such nice people so far!
Lilla called to say she had arrived and I ran downstairs. We met them half way and then road with Virginia to the restaurant. I met a third English teacher from their school and the headmistress. When they first saw me they kept saying how beautiful I was, which made me smile. They were so, so, so welcoming and friendly (kisses and handshakes all around). We drove to the restaurant (beautiful drive...even at night). I ordered pizza, which they did too! HOLY CRAP...the pizza was like ordering a medium pizza all for me...so I only ate the equivalent of like 1-1 1/2 slices and of course they thought it was because I didn't like it, but also attributed it to the fact that I was tired. I had to explain that it was delicious, but I could not eat anymore! Welcome to Italy...where they want you to eat EVERYTHING!! ;) It was really good though! We also had these appetizers...no clue what they were...fried cornbread type thingies...NO CLUE! They told me that my Italian was beautiful (what little I used). I did not understand all of their Italian...we discussed my education, but that was difficult because they did not understand the word development. THey did eventually ask me if I believed that environment effected things, and I explained that I believed it was a combination of genetics and environment (nature vs. nurture). THey also discussed what to do with me and explained that they have to follow certain things in order for their students to receive their language certificates, but their 4 classes focus on literature (sign me up!), business (whaaa???), and some sort of science (whaaa???). So, they talked about planning together, which I LOVE that idea. I had to explain that I did not know details and they suggested that we might find out in Rome, which I am hoping is true! Virginia told me that her husband is a doctor, so if I needed anything to let her know! This is good to know!!! They said that I would have 5 moms (the 4 of them and then Valeria from the other school)! I will say, these women were SO nice and welcoming)! They ordered dessert...I had strawberry gelato with "chocolate" and creme. The chocolate was in the strawberry...hard to explain. It was yummy and refreshing though! Francesca (teacher) explained that she didn't like it because she didn't like chocolate mixed with her fruit! I explained chocolate covered strawberries, which they do not have, and told her I'd have to make it. They were intrigued, and then began a discussion of apple pie. I told them about Thanksgiving in Florence last year. We also talked about American food and they asked if it was all unhealthy and fast food...no, but some and some out of a box!
After we finished eating, we drove to the headmistresses house, which was up a lot of hills, but looked nice from the outside. Then we dropped Lilla off at her house. Virginia and Francesca brought me back to the hotel. Francesca has two children who are in Rome. She offered to make me dinner or take me to lunch this week. She also explained at dinner that they were SHOCKED that my parents let me move halfway across the world; Italian mothers do not do that and do not like it! She said that it was hard enough to have her children move to Rome for school and work!
Once in the hotel I lost it for a few minutes. I was so overwhelmed by the Italian that I DO NOT KNOW!! I emailed people and skyped with April before her faculty meeting. I think exhaustion had overtaken me! I stayed up a little and talked and emailed, but then I changed clothes and CRASHED!!!
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| View from my hotel room window |
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