Fair Verona

October 29, 2006

We have heard from all the Milanese that October and November are always wet and cold, but this past week has been beautiful. From Wednesday on, it has been in the 70's and sunny. We are very grateful.

Ben and I are learning a lot about the Italian culture. One of things we have realized about the Milanese is that they complain a lot about their city. "It has terrible weather, there's too much pollution, it's very busy, the food isn't that good, etc." It's strange to hear people who have so many negative things to say about it, but still want to live here. Also, some Italians have told us that Italy is about 20 years behind the rest of world in most things. Everything is way too complicated and unorganized. For instance, Ben didn't get his book list for school until a week after school started and then only to find out that all the students have order the books and wait a week until they arrive. Of course this kind of thing makes us go crazy, but I guess we'll have to deal. Otherwise, Ben is liking school a lot. He is enjoying getting to know his classmates, who are from all over the world.

This past week my job teaching, we had halloween parties, which was bizarre. The kids and other teachers had no idea what halloween is supposed to be. (Not that they should, they don't have it here). So I had to remember what games are played at halloween parties and made up some lame ones. I am not enjoying my job at all, the school has no curriculum or resources and it is very frustrating. The trial period for the kids is up, so we'll see what happens. I have been taking ballet a lot and liking the place I go. The other dancers are good and it is challenging.

So, as you see, we went to Verona yesterday. It is a wonderful city. The weather was perfect and all the leaves were falling. The arena (similar to the Coliseum) and all the old churches and buildings were fantastic. We love stuff like that. There are, of course, tons of shops and all the best designers. It doesn't matter how small the town is, it always has Gucci, Prada, Fendi, etc.

We went to La Case di Guiletta (Juliet's house) It has a statue of her which everyone takes a picture with while holding her boob. I think it's supposed to be good luck. The balcony is there as well and all these walls covered in love notes that people have written over the years. (see pic at top).

I definitely love traveling around more than being in Milan, but I'm really excited for Ben and his schooling. I think he's going to excel at all that he learns.

Lake Como

October 15, 2006

Yesterday, Ben and I woke up early and took the train to Como. It's only about 40 minutes away from us. When we arrived, it was a little cloudy, but we were immediately taken in by the sight of such a beautiful place. The town of Como is right on the lake of the same name and sports those very narrow streets with tons of stores and cafes. All the buildings are pink, orange and yellow. The Lake is surrounded by rolling hills that are dotted along the bottom with houses. We sat by the lake and had brioches and coffees and watched the town wake up.

One of the reasons we were there was to see the finish of the Giro di Lombardia, the last race in the professional tour of bike racing. So, after exploring the town, we found all the bicycle team buses and trucks. Ben was so excited and we got pictures of him with most of them, especially the Discovery Channel Bus.

Then we took a boat ride on the lake and a passed many pretty towns. We got off in Bellagio, It is a small village that is on a steep slope and has a beautiful church. We walked all around and stopped in a piazza to eat some bread and cheese and gelato. One of the things we love about these towns is their attention to detail. The landscaping and architecture is so ornate and unique. For so late in the year, all the flowers were in bloom and it was not that cold.

We took the boat, which was filled with people speaking English, back to Como and waited for the race. It was very exciting seeing the men finish. An Italian, who is the world champion as well, was the winner and the crowd was ecstatic.

It was a magical day and we hope to go back there a lot and visit more of the towns.

Questura

October 12, 2006

This week has been less confusing and more encouraging. On Monday, Melissa had an interview at a new English school to be a teacher. I went to the completely wrong place, but finally figured out that the school is about an hour away from our place in a town called Cinisello. The director was interested in me because of my creative experience with dance and children. So, we set up a time for me to go observe a class.
Meanwhile, back here in Milan, Ben spent 5 hours waiting at the Immigration office called "The Questura". It seems like the bureaucracy never ends in this country. After the incredible ordeal of getting our visas in New York, we then have to get a "Permission to Stay" within the first 8 days we are in the country. If you don't get it, you will be kicked out after 90 days. So after waiting 5 hours, he was rejected because he had needed to pay 18 more Euros for his insurance. In Italy, anyone can go to the post office and buy health insurance for a year for 80 Euros. But Ben needed to pay 98 Euros for an unknown reason.
So, the next day, after i bought my insurance and got more passport pictures, we both went to the Questura and waited in the most dismal room for 7 hours to be seen. Thankfully, all of our documents passed and and we were sent to get our fingerprints and handprints taken. It was really awful being there so long and not knowing whether we would get our "Permission". The only good thing about it is that we met another American woman about my age and got to talk to her. We exchanged numbers and hopefully she will be our friend.

After that ordeal, I went to a dance class in our neighborhood. It was a modern release technique class and it was really fun. It didn't really matter that I didn't know Italian and it felt so good to dance again. I'm hopefully going to try out another studio tonight.

Yesterday, I observed the english class for 4-5 yr olds. I had no idea what any of them were saying, and was worried that I wouldn't be able to teach anything, but the other teachers said it would be fine. So today I agreed to teach there. It will be about 3 days a week. I feel really nervous about working there, since I have no experience with language and can't speak the kid's language, but I will work hard to plan good classes.

That is what is happening this week. Ben has his first meeting with his school today and we are excited to find out more about his program and who his classmates will be.

Ciao for Now!

Being the Tourist

October 4, 2006
Melissa and I walked around Milan today and felt like tourists. We were asked if we were British and Brazilian...funny. We saw a few of the famous sights: the Duomo (the main church in the city center), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (an indoor/outdoor glass domed gallery with shops and restaurants, and the Castello Sforzesco (a 15th century castle in the middle of the city). The city is really beautiful...better than I thought it would be. The language remains to be a challenge. Hopefully, we will eventually get it.

Hello Milano

October 3, 2006
Well, we are here in Milano after quite an ordeal getting here. All our luggage and the cat were a huge hassle and Ben and I ended up getting to our apartment in different ways. He wasn't sure he'd see me again, but it worked out. Since then we have been organizing the apartment, which is really nice (pictures to come soon). We had to figure out how to turn on the gas and hot water and get a copy of our giant key made. We have slept a lot so far. Our apartment is in a neighborhood called Lambrate and is near to train tracks, so it's a little of noisy. Luckily, it's not any worse than Vernon Blvd. in LIC. And the apartment is a lot nicer and seems bigger than our old one. Kato is having fun exploring.

Today, we went to Ben's school and walked around the center of town. There are some really pretty buildings, but so much ugly graffiti. We have seen the "USA Store", which has CSI shirts and stuff like that. Also, all the kids here are wearing clothes with flags and American stuff on them. We've been taking the subway a lot, which is really convenient and fast. So far there a lot young people here than in New York.

TV is fun because, already I've seen Survivor, My Wife and Kids, and Looney Tunes in Italian. And was glad to find that Lost and House (in Italian) will be on TV here too.

People have been really nice to us since we got here. Even the ones who have no idea what we are saying. Ben, of course, has already made friends with a bike shop in town. Our Italian is terrible, and it's funny how being tired can make it impossible to communicate clearly. Hopefully, we will start learning more.

Ben starts his classes Oct. 16th and I have already been asked to dance at the Welcome Party for the school. Will I do it? I don't know, but it might be a good chance to perform here.

Hope everyone is well and know that we are thinking of you all and missing you.
Our address is Largo Gemito 3, Milano 20131, Italia. We would love to get letters and goodies from anyone who wants to send them.
Ciao!