Berlin: country zwei

Mom and I are in BERLIN! I'm checking as many countries as I can off of my list, but I'm lacking stamps in my passport (urgh).

So, today, I get off the plane and what do I do? Well, like any good American I head out of the gate area and to the baggage claim. NOT. One is supposed to pick up their bags before leaving their arrival gate area when at the Tegel airport in Berlin. Something I should have learned before flying alone from one foreign country to another, but if I look at the sunny side (gag!) , I can say that I have, yet, another adventure added to my list. I'll tell you about finding baggage claims in person...

We are staying with Claudia Thiele and her family while in Berlin. Claudia lived with my mother and I during my junior year of highschool as a foreign exchange student. She was very brave to be away from her family for that long, and we took her in after she experienced a rather unfortunate month with her first overseas family. She has been a wonderful host thus far. So good,in fact, my mother is even feeling brave enough to take the bus alone tomorrow!

I don't want to keep them up all night while I chat away, so when we have pics, we will post, post, post.
I can't wait to write about my first days in Rome. Heat over 100 degrees farenheit and a sick Grace = hitting the pavement...I'm fine, it's just another story, right?

Gute Nacht,
Grace

Rome

I made it here. Barely. The heat is incredulous. Internet is not so easily accessible, so I will post about my 1st time in Rome when I make it to Berlin where my mom and I will be staying with Clauda Thiele and her family for about 5 days. I fly out Wednesday morning!

Ho finito le lezioni

Classes are over! What a busy few weeks these have been. It does not even seem as though almost five weeks have passed by...that's over 30 days that I have been in Italia and my jaw still drops every time I pass by the Chiesa di Santa Croce, not to mention il Duomo...

I definitely learned a lot in both of my classes, Italian and Painting (a little less in painting, though; I just don't have that flair). My italian professor and I shared a nice moment at the end of class. I was the last one to finish the test, mine had some extra pages in it with material I was completely unfamiliar with and I was kind of freaking out when I looked over at a classmate and saw how far ahead she was...I was stunned, she must have studied A LOT to be that far ahead of me. I wasn't cheating, just observing the class' timing of the test. I was feeling really stupid when I asked her how many grammar questions she had, and we discovered I had 20 extra questions on mine! Francesco came over and quickly marked through all of the extra questions (the one's I knew I shouldn't have known) and apologized with great remorse. I was extremely relieved at that point, but I answered about 10 extra questions, so I was behind.

Anyway, with all of that said, I was the last one left trying to finish up the exam. Just me and Francesco. He came over and sat down by me as I circled my last answer and he told me about the evaluation he was giving me for the class and that he would definitely like for me to keep in touch. I told him that I already had an e-mail, handwritten to him in Italian, asking him about schools and their music programs and teaching opportunities and such. Then I gave him Giacomo Fiore's CD (a friend from school, originally from Genova, great classical guitarist) to enjoy and play during class. Then we stood up to say goodbye and it was kind of bittersweet. I held out my arms for a hug (I have only had one other hug since I left America, folks. Don't we need 10 meaningful touches a day?), and he gave me a great hug and then grabs my shoulders and gives me the most intense bacci (kisses on my cheaks) I have ever encountered. That's just the way they show they care...

He has been such an excellent teacher, someone to really admire. I can only hope that I can have that kind of energy in front of my orchestra classes some day. The previous day we had talked school a little bit, mostly because I was frustrated with some classmates who had slacked off the entire month until it came time for the test. One of them has been here for five months and she has taken the beginning and intermediate italian courses and she cannot speak a bit of the language (She reads her book in class, rather than doing the practice assignments he could have given us for homework). That is a complete waste of time. And it shows a complete lack of respect for the people of Italia that are gracious enough to share their country with us, AND our incredible teacher! Especially the people of Florence. Where, during the summer, it is overwhelmed by tourists from all over the country.

I'm almost off my soapbox, read on for some wisdom from my favorite author:

Time is to be treasured, worked with, never ignored. As the astrophysicists understand time now, it is not like a river, flowing in one direction, but more like a tree, with great branches, and smaller limbs and twigs which may make possible for us to move from one branch to another, as did Jesus and Moses and Elijah, as did St. Andrew and St. Francis when they talked with each other in that light of love which transcends all restrictions of time.

- Madeleine L'Engle


That's all for today. I'll try to put up more pics before I leave for Rome on Saturday morning! You really have no idea how much you are going to miss your family and friends until they are out of reach. I will be so glad to see you in just a little over 5 weeks!

Ciao for now,
Grace

The good and the not so good

So, some days are good and somedays are bad wherever one may live, no? I tend to agree with my previous statement, but, I might add, good and bad are relative to the current situation.

Today began a little different than some days, but that has to do with roommate differences and knowing that I am being lied to...one cannot help such things...I will make do; but the other has to do with the social differences in the relationships between men and women in Italy (Florence, in particular). I have gotten my fair share of "Ciao, bella!" from the street vendors and random strangers as I make my way down one via or the other. One tends to get over and learn to ignore such a blatant cry for attention (especially because every girl likes to be called beautiful). But over the last week I have started to walk without making eye contact with the "gentleman callers." They don't like that so much. Today, one of them, after I didn't reply to his pathetic attempt at eye contact through his black sunglasses, called me a "bitch" after I passed. Can you imagine my disgust? I brushed it off the first time that it happened about a week ago, because the guy was kind of scheezy, but today it really got under my skin. It is just not polite and completely uncalled for. I shouldn't take it so personally, but after this trip I have really started to own my tendency to sway near the "old fashioned" way of thinking. So, to all of you that have ever said I dress too old for my age, or don't like that I get tired at 11pm on a Friday night, or don't share my views on personal relationships...begin to accept it. I want nothing more in life than to be like my Gramma, and if I were really doing that, I would have turned around to that name caller yesterday and told him to get a better life than selling cheap leather on the street of a dirty city and then maybe he would have a chance with some other girl, but not ever me. Then I would have walked directly to my favorite jewelry store and bought myself some gold earrings (she had style, friends). To the guys I know: Actions like that are pagan, full of cowardice, and lack any style or tact. Don't just be a gentleman, be a man.

Cinque Terre

This is the view from the hike from Manarola (town #2) to Corniglia (#3). Bella, no?













Me and all that world out there. If I were to be a mermaid, this is definitely the water in which I would choose to swim most often. Crystal clear!

Santa Croce. I live about 2 blocks from this church and I walk past it everyday to go to painting class. Inside: the remains of Dante and Michelangelo...and some art stuff...

Beautiful, no?









This is the whole group plus Kathy Skinner who is back in America, I think...
From left to right: Kathy, me, Kallie, Sylvia, Eileen, Valeria, Andrea & Heather. David Ribar took the pic. We are in the Piazza Santa Croce (An italian woman asked me for directions to there a couple of days ago, and I replied in italian!).


















So, this is me, still American, wearing several things I have bought in Italy. The country has yet to wear off on me. They see me coming from a mile away!














Atop the Campanile!

Now, Momma, you wouldn't want to miss out on this view, would you?











I mean, they asked for a little help, and you know how I love to lend a hand...

The pizza in Pisa e molto buono!

I think this morning has been my favorite of my time in Italy as of yet.

I woke up late this morning (as I do almost every morning...) and ate a little yogurt for breakfast. I put on my black cotton dress, teva walking sandals, senza scarf, grabbed my bag and was determined to do 2 things before coming back to the house: See the interior of il Duomo and buy fresh fruit from the Mercato Centrale. So, I hit the road.

On the way, I stopped by Caffe Dini to see Giovanni and Jean Carlo and to buy a water. This caffe is right by the duomo, but also on my way to and from my afternoon class that meets Mon-Thursday. I frequent that particular caffe almost daily. As I walked the perimeter of the duomo I saw the gift shop for the Museo del'Opera of the Duomo (one museum I went to a couple of weeks ago) so I stopped in to see if I could get a postcard or two of some of the art in that particular museum...I picked up some of the singing children (my very favorite) and I also picked up a copy of the fiction (based on true life) book Brunelleschi's Dome. This particular book was written by an Englishman about Brunelleschi, who designed and constructed the dome on top of the Cathedral that I was going to see. Professoressa had suggested I read the book before the trip, but I say, "better late than never, right?"

Then I headed to the Duomo, and, honestly...I've seen better churches. Sorry if you think otherwise (I really don't want to stomp on any toes...) The church was very beautiful, and when I can't wait to climb the dome, oh gosh, now that's the real spectacle, I'm sure I will retract the previous statement, but it's just another building in my book. The exterior of the church is the real highlight of the building, though. Honestly, I walk past it every day on my way to class and I almost lose my breath everytime. It's just incredible. The size, the stone, the embellishment, there is something new to discover every day.

Well, so, done with the church. Tourists are pesky and taking pictures in churches should be considered a mortal sin in my book. Why? We have a memory for a reason, and we have the internet...need I say more?

Then, to the Market. This market sells everything FRESH. "Fresca, fresca," as professoressa would say. I have yet to really use my hands as a part of the language, but Giovanni and Jean Carlo are teaching me. Fresh chicken, whole of course, fresh cheese, fruit, veggies...two floors of vendors. For those of you that enjoy a good Farmer's Market, you ain't seen nothin' yet! Well, I headed straight for the fruit and pasta which is upstairs. I picked up a pear and a nectarine and some blackberries and then some fresh RISO (rice pasta, my FAVORITE) and some dried apples. One must eat in this country.

So, I did all of this by myself and on my own. At this point in the day, I have spoken entirely in Italian to everyone I have seen since leaving my house. I proceeded to buy some gifts for people in the San Lorenzo Market, this huge market just on the street near the duomo. So many vendors: leather and scarves and jewelry and more and more and more.

I did some more walking and browsing in stores. One thing to note, my taste in jewelry remains intact. I have been eyeing a particular necklace in a store window for a week, so today I stopped in to try it on...well, I didn't buy it if that tells you anything about the cost. :(

Then, after purchasing some necessities from a BODY SHOP, how American, but I gave it my seal of approval when I found a much needed item I haven't been able to find for the last 2 1/2 weeks.

Then, back to my caffe for a late lunch. This is where it all got really good for me. I had a calzone and my water from earlier, then they gave me a glass of wine...how nice are they! Then, Giovanni asked me if I would translate some things for him...well, sure, I guess. So I sat there and translated their menu into English for them! I wrote it on a poster...not great handwriting, I must admit, but I did it nonetheless. They were so pleased and I was delighted they would ask me.

So, that's it for the moment. I am going to San Miniato for their vespers service tonight and then dinner with some of the girls and David Ribar and his wife.

Thank you all for your kind birthday messages! I had a delightful birthday, senza gelato, but I'll fix that today!

Ciao for now,
Grace

A Casa Buonarotti

For the month, I live at Via Ghibellina 58.
Michelangelo's address was Via Ghibellina 70. Needless to say his home is now a museum, therefore, I am Michelangelo's neighbor.

WOAH.

Ciao for now,
Grazia

p.s. Mosquitoes cause itching and scratching itches looks ridiculous and gross. Therefore, I look even more ridiculous than if I was just some stupid American. I now look like a stupid, blotchy American who can't keep her hands off herself. That is my proof for the day.

Pics of the first week or so...

These are those tulips from that first day of art class:)














So, this is the Campanile, the tower next to Il Duomo and La Battista (where Dante was baptised). One can climb this tower to get the BEST view of Florence. I did and I will again...with mummy dearest (GET READY, baby!).

Currently, this posting pictures thing is costing me a small fortune! I had the pics uploaded, then I deleted them and I thought I would just press the UNDO button, but then again, NOT because everything is in Italian and I know some, but not the word for UNDO and everything I clicked on did something more terrible to my blog...so, I'm redoing it...And it's taking forEVER.

This morning, I went to the Bargello Museum where there are several sculptures by the likes of Michelangelo and Donatello and the sort. Sorry for the ambiguity of that sentence...but museums are tiring. If this were a perfect world, one could get a ticket to a museum and the ticket would last a week and there would be one complete piece of art or a small collection on one wall and a chair or stool would be placed a fair distance from the piece so that one could observe one piece at a time. This way, the art can be admired and considered the way that art should be (in my opinion, of course). So, their are many images of David in this museum, but not the most famous, and their are several images of "Madonna con bambino." My favorite happened to be the small bronze statue of "Madonna con bambino" in a room on the third floor full of bronze creations. She was so emotional and had a real look of love and concern for the baby boy she held in her arms.

I just deleted another pic. I give up for today. Time for a gift of gelato. I HATE COMPUTERS. I wish I lived during the time of Pride and Prejudice. I would be Miss Elizabeth.

Ciao for now,
Grazia

Music

I need it. I have been without the insistent strains of radios and computers and rehearsals and late night jam sessions in the Dynamo room for a couple of weeks now, and until yesterday, I was beginning to feel less like me. Now, I don't like to be attached. I wasn't even going to buy an iPod, but I caved a week before my trip and how glad I am to know that I am weak when it comes to purchasing electronics. I spent the week before my departure hauling & hooking up my stationary PC wherever I could just to download "one more album" to my shiny new toy. So, I listened to some of it on the plane, and a little on the train to Florence, but mostly I was resenting my purchase because it was "just another thing" to lug around. However, I must admit, I've been missing home and having a bit of a hard time adjusting to the fact that whenever I leave the apartment, there are people outside that don't speak my language & vendors that can pick out my American "look" as I pass. Basically, there are no people like your best friends and family. So, yesterday, on my way to Italian class I popped the bud-phones into my ears and put my iPod on shuffle. Good idea. I was walking down the street, much more confident of the directions at this point, to the beat of some of my favorite tunes. The best moment, however, was on the way home from Italian class: The Propellerheads came on...talk about one of my new faves. Drew, all my thanks are due to you: grazie mille. So anyway, that was my afternoon discovery. The album name is Take California.
The internet cafe is closing...alas...more later...pics tomorrow.
Ciao for now,
~Grazia