This morning started out good! I did not sleep well last night though. Well, that isn't true. I did sleep, but woke up a few times with anxiety about living alone and being without internet for so long. Again, let me emphasize that email is my only connection with Fulbright, and facebook/email/skype is my only connection with my friends and reasonable connection to my mom and dad. I know that I will find a solution until my internet is installed, but it freaks me out just a bit!
So, when my alarm went off, I got up and put my jacket on and went downstairs to eat breakfast. Breakfast was good! The selection was decent, but I ended up having a breakfast that was VEERRRRYY similar to the ones I had in Florence. I now know why the yogurt in Florence was brown and weird...it was coffee flavored! I had some this morning. I also had the little hard toast bread thingies, but I had raspberry jelly on them. I had this really good tropical fruit juice and that was it. I suppose I could have had a roll with something on it, or what looked like Corn Flakes, but I figured that since I have been saying, "I miss Florence", that I should have a taste of, well, Florence.
**Side Note: Me missing Florence has more to do with the fact that more people could understand my broken Italian and speak with me than they can here. It isn't that people aren't helpful, but I am missing that element. I know it will get better, but it is what it is. Also, I was quite spoiled by the comfy bed and home cooked, albeit HUGE, meals in Florence.
After breakfast I came upstairs to figure out a plan of attack. I slowly got things together and wrote down addresses/directions. I was DREADING heading out today because I KNEW I had to get some of this official stuff taken care of before my time ran out. So, I gathered my courage and headed out! I had to stop at the front desk to pay for the first two nights, and then I was off. It was a GORGEOUS, sunny, warm morning in Cosenza. I dont understand how the Italians were jeans in this weather. I was warm in my shorts; which by the way, I do not think that many of them wear shorts! It is very odd, but then again, I am not a big fan of jeans! Maybe I am the strange one! To reinforce my courage, I called my momma!
As I walked to the post office, a specific one that has a specific person that the information said I needed to see, I saw some beautiful buildings. As I reached the "river" it was even more beautiful! I had to ask a man in the newsstand where the post office was because I feared I had gone too far! However, I had NOT gone too far...and I understood all of his Italian, and he, mine! :) Success! I was in fact just down the street from it, and it was, as he described, a palazzo (palace)! 
I went in, and after a moment of confusion I figured out which button I needed to push to get a number for the correct window! I sat down to wait my turn! I practiced in my head what I thought I needed to say! As I was sitting there, this older lady was leaving and apparently she had an extra number and she handed me hers! Now, it was only one number in front of mine, but what a sweet gesture! Kind people everywhere!! So, it came my turn. With shaking hands and a rapid heartbeat, I approached the counter. I said, in the best way I could, that I needed the information for the residence permit! She did not seem to understand me and I DEFINITELY did NOT understand her! After a few exchanges of who knows what...I just left. I sat down outside of the post office and resisted the urge to cry. Instead of crying I called Lila, my new landlord, to tell her that I was going to move into the apartment on Saturday and ask her if she knew about the residence permit. She did not, but she suggested going to the Questura.
So, I picked myself up and started walking. I stopped to take a few pictures. Cosenza has some beautiful buildings and beautiful views of the mountains.
I found a "police station" and went in to ask about the residence permit. He also suggested the Questura and pointed me in the right direction. He gave all of them in Italian; I understood them, repeated them back, and was on my way. After I had walked a little bit, I saw a tourist booth and stopped to ask how much further. They pointed me in the right direction and I was off again. I climbed a steep hill and eventually made it there.Questura: I stood outside for a minute because I could not figure out where to go. Once I found it, I walked in and a woman began speaking rapid Italian to me! I tried to answer and tell her what I needed, but eventually we realized that we were barely understanding each other. She went to get someone to help and then had me come with her. Eventually she brought in a lady who began speaking English and I was relieved. I had been explaining that I was teaching at two high schools, but have a visa for study. After about 20 minutes or so I think we had it worked out. One of them men wanted to be of no help at all! He kept saying to send me to the post office, and I kept explaining that the post office sent me away. Another guy said he would help me if I gave him English lessons (this same guy seemed to be trying to mess with me...to be funny...but most of it was lost in translation...I laughed anyway!), and I told him I'd give him English lessons if he would give me Italian lessons! He eventually called his sister to help. So after much confusion, and a sweet, sweet lady (the one speaking English) said that I could come back Friday morning at 10 and they would help me figure it out and sent off. In the middle of all of this, they called in this other lady who looked at me and said, "parla inglese? Non capisco?" Meaning, "Do you speak English? You dont understand (implied Italian)?" I said yes to speaking English and she started on this long rant about something. All I caught was last year, students, blah blah blah! I got lost in the words.
Cultural Note: It was rather interesting though to see them all interact. They were laughing and using hand gestures and everything. I also like that the Italians like "touch"! By this I mean they are not afraid to shake your hand, kiss you on both cheeks, hug you, etc. I enjoy this! It makes things seem more personal!
So, I left with a piece of paper that had a name, information, and some sort of stamp that granted me a "pass go" type entrance when I return on Friday! Yay for nice people! Once again, prayers answered!
When I left there, I stopped at their vending machine and got the cheapest bottle of water I have yet to buy in Italy (this time or last time), and went on my way! I walked for a bit to look at things, take a few pictures, and find something to eat! I also called my momma to reassure her that things had somewhat worked out! However, I did not find anything to eat. I ended up back at the hotel. I ate some left over cheese bread from last night, a special K bar, & a "breakfast to go" bag of nuts/berries. It doesn't sound like much, but it was fine! Then I decided that if the Italians were going to take a break in their day, I should too! So I took a nap! It was briefly interrupted by the housekeeper, whom I let clean the bathroom this time...and we understood each other (for the most part). Then I slept for about an hour!
When I woke up, I wanted to go get gelato, as a treat for not crying or completely freaking out when things did not go as planned this morning. However, I got an even sweeter treat; I got to talk to April! Once we left each other, I started out for my walk! I stopped in a grocery store and looked around! I was excited to see familiar products and a few familiar brand names! I think I am going to do well with buying groceries! The two things I did not see, and knew that I would not, were Oatmeal and peanut butter. Even when I asked Francesca about the oatmeal, she looked at me like I was a bit crazy and didn't know what I was talking about. She suggested cereal, hot milk (yuck), yogurt, &/or fruit. I'm thinking Yogurt, fruit, etc. sounds okay! After the grocery store I kept walking until I found a place to buy gelato. I got caffe & rocher, which is chocolate (Ferrero Roche?!??). It was a small cup, but so yummy and so refreshing. I sat in a near by little "park" and ate it.
Next I just started roaming. I picked a random hill to climb and then a "main" street! I hope I can find this street again, and I think I can, because it had some good things. Some great fruit/veggie places, a place that had all kinds of bath products/detergents/shower items/etc.
THey even had my lotion that I use at home (Johnson & Johnson Bedtime lotion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). I was pretty excited to once again see osme familiar hair products, deodorants, etc. I saw some pretty buildings. I even saw a place where you can buy tickets to events in the area. I saw a poster for the Ballet...it is in December, but perhaps I could go! That would be fun! Then I made my way back to the main street. I tortured myself in H & M again. I am DEFINITELY going to need something from there! I think I will wait until two things happen: 1. I have finished all of this official document stuff/bank account 2. I know what I can or cannot wear to teach. I do need some of the mint color jeans though...and at least one of the cute tops! Ohh and one of the cute dressier items! Okay, I want it all! When I left H & M, I once again felt as though I were going to pass out...NOT GOOD. So I went in search of food. I eventually found a sandwich at the little place next to the hotel! I asked the lady (in Italian) what was on the sandwich and she answered me, but then asked if I spoke English! She said she knew some English and wanted to speak it! We ended up speaking a bit of both languages! She heated the sandwich for me and I brought it back to the hotel so that I would have some water to drink! The sandwich was really good! The bread seemed to be fried?!?!? It was weird, but the melted cheese and warm ham were PERFECT! The whole thing was perfect because I was starving!
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| I barely thought about calories....that's hunger there |
I was waiting on Lila & Ernesto (my new landlords) to call and say that they were coming to meet me at the hotel. They needed to get some information from me and discuss things. When they came they were so friendly! I think I am going to really like them! They said that if I got a package, and was not there to receive it, that if I would call them, they would come get me and take me to pick it up! How sweet! So, I gave them the information they needed...I asked some questions, and we decided that I would leave the hotel on Saturday! They said that they would be here at 11 to get me. Lila also called her cousin who works at the post office I was at to ask about the Residence Permit. She said that if I ever needed anything to ask because someone (them or the teachers) might be able to help, because I am a foreigner! It was funny to hear her say that! So, it is good to know that so many people have my back!
After I met with them, I ran upstairs to do some things and then I decided to try the wifi calling on my cell phone! I got it to work in the stairwell and I was able to call my momma, Maria, Mrs. Malissa, and Kelly briefly. It was so good to hear familiar and loving voices! AND as an added bonus, Sherwood was walking by so I got to talk to her too! I do love my Tuscaloosa people! Then, the bar tender came to the stairwell to find me (did I mention they like to know where I am and seem to watch out for me?) to tell me that I had a phone call and to come take it in the lobby. It was Virginia. She apologized for not speaking with me/seeing me today! She had been at school doing planning for the year! These teachers work LOOOOOONNNGG hours planning! She was so kind and asked me about my day...she explained that they wanted me to feel so welcome and not alone...she told me Lilla would pick me up for gelato or something tomorrow and that Lilla had arranged for me to have dinner with her niece on Saturday evening. She also explained that Lilla's niece was good, kind, well-behaved, no trouble at all, and very smart! She said she was like me. I thanked her for the kind compliment and deep down was really excited that they were being so welcoming and warm and just all around amazing! She told me about eventually meeting her children and she would have me over for dinner. She told me to tell my parents hello and that they could contact her at any time. She kept emphasizing that they wanted to make me feel welcome and at home. She also said that I would be very busy once school started!
After I came back upstairs, I skyped with my daddy (& Litta Girl), emailed with my momma, facebooked with April, took a shower, and am now up waaaayyyy too late! Worth it though! Also, T-mobile sucks and tells lies, so there will be no more wifi calling. I hate that T-Mobile can NEVER, EVER, EVER tell the truth or get it right. UGHHH!!!
Other side notes: I spotted a McDonald's the other night in the distance (the lit up arches) AND we passed a Blockbuster the other night. Weird...
Impara con me: Giri a destro o a sinestra
Learn with me: Turn to the right or to the left
Stole this quote from a friend's facebook:
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