My morning started out with breakfast and the news again. They did a story about the party I saw being set up at that museum the other day! It made me smile to know I had seen it! The strange thing about the news here is that they have newscasters, but the camera is busy looking at a newspaper that has been circled with red markers and someone is running a pen along the headlines as the newscaster is reading them!! I don’t know what the exact purpose behind this is, but I have a few guesses:
1. Accents and dialects are so different, that they feel the need to show the actual words so that others can understand
2. The Italian language was “standardized” MUCH later than it was being spoken (thus again related to the dialects thing)
3. For people with hearing issues, they can read along with the newscaster; though closed captioning would solve this
So, these are just guesses, but I intend to ask.
I got dressed and was headed to school to have the IT guy look at my computer. I realized I did not have a ticket for the bus, and could NOT find the tabacchi to buy one. I panicked for a quick minute and then looked in my wallet to see that I might not even have enough money for two tickets anyway! PANIC SET IN!! Then I decided to tackle the whole paying on the bus thing that I had seen others doing! I patiently waited on the bus to arrive and got on with confidence…pushed the same button the others had pushed, and guess what?!?! It worked AND it is 20 cents cheaper…thus I will save money and not have to stress about finding a tabacchi anymore!! Woo Hoo!!!
When I arrived at school I knew I would have to navigate things alone, without a translator, because they were in school and I could not stay longer than having my computer looked at. When the headmistress had the IT guy come to meet me…I was shocked at how much the IT guy type translates into Italian. He had on jeans and a polo that was VERY similar to a favorite polo that Mike used to wear; he also had the somber attitude of Craig that made me want to say, “act like you’re happy about life!” The way I say it to Craig!! However, he then took me to Angelino so that we would have a translator. He took apart the bottom of the computer and discovered that it is in fact the hard drive that has crashed! He explained that I could just use the school’s computer and get a new one when I went home! He also said I could buy a hard drive and it would be cheaper to do it online! So, with all of that behind me, including a conversation with Angelino about the students’ protest, I thanked the headmistress and started down the hill to the bus stop!
What I learned: So apparently there are two types of student demonstrations. First, they can occupy the schools. This is where they get into the schools and stay there day and night. They either do not let the teachers in, or they do, but do not have school! The second type is where the students direct the daily schedule at school. They plan activities/debates/etc about different topics and they direct the day. The teachers have to be there to make sure they “stay on task”, but have little to no authority! Angelino also told me that he had googled me and read about my Fulbright and the work I did with children. He wanted to know why they put me with high school students.
I went home and had lunch and worked on my power point.
I skipped out on meeting Luca because I was working on my power point and packing. These were both more important to me…sorry Luca; school comes first ….and no, you do not actually miss me! I’m over it!
After a while of working on my stuff, I decided that I needed internet. I went to the hotel and worked on blogs, played on facebook, and stuff. I also got an email from Fulbright telling us what they wanted in our slideshow presentations, and so I naturally freaked out! I’d already skyped with April for a bit about it and had been feeling good about my presentation…until the email! So, I panicked a bit and then avoided. I avoided by talking to Mrs. Malissa on skype phone, talking to Maria on skype phone, and I was able to talk to Erin on facebook which is a rare and amazing treat!!! I miss my people…
At some point I talked to Lila (landlord) and she said that the modem should arrive at the end of the week and that my mom can call my Italian landline for free (for me), and since her cell plan allows for free landline calls, it is free all around. They said that they would come check for the modem, so hopefully it will be here by the time I return from Rome!!! I stayed at the hotel waaaayyyy too long and decided to just readjust the power point on the train tomorrow morning.
I went home and had dinner…it was yummy!
I finished packing, showered, and went to bed. A nothing day really, but I am excited for Rome!
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