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Published: January 23rd 2011
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La neve and other exciting things.
Last night, while Katie and I were getting dressed to be fashionably late to this strange music film show we were invited to, it started to snow. I first realized this when a man, a friend of Katie’s new roommates, walked into katie’s apartment covered with snow. I said “Piacere” (nice to meet you) then ran to the window. The view of Viterbo covered in snow from Katie’s room at the fifth floor of the apartment building was spectacular. I reached my hands out in an attempt to catch the large fluffy white snowflakes. After my hands started turning red, I retrieved them from outside, closed the window, did a snow dance then finished getting ready so I could go out to play.
Katie and I were almost the only ones out in the freezing night, in my opinion everyone inside was missing out. We ran down the streets, arms locked as to not slip and fall. We were in total awe. On our way to my old apartment we saw a little puppy playing in the snow. Who, we would have stolen but the owner was there as well. We also saw
too teenagers who threw a snow ball at us as we turned the corner. When we got to my apartment, Daniele, Alessandro and the two new American girls who live there now, one of whom is Alessandros girlfriend were all sitting down to eat. The atmosphere was not as cheerful and snowy as it was outside, so I said “ci vediamo” (see you later) and left. We continued on our jolly way and went to this strange music short film thing that Alessandro’s friends invited us to. It was not really my thing but I was glad to see something alternative and out of the ordinary taking place in Viterbo. Also, it was totally worth it because afterwards we got to hang out with some of my favorite Italians beside my Daniele and Alessandro of course. Vito, Andrea and Francesco are their names all of whom were introduced to me by Alessandro. Also Helene, Vito’s girlfriend was there, visiting from France. We walked back to their apartment to get Francesco, who was still there. On the way we had a couple snow ball fights. After we got Francesco we walked about thirty feet and arrived at Denisa’s house for her
party.
Now Denisa is a party girl, she goes out at least three nights a week and stays out till at least three, while it’s a rare thing for me to out once a week. This is one of the many ways that outlines our differences. Anyway, when we walked through her door I was surprised to see a circle of people quietly playing a game while the “party music” was only a dim drone in the background. This is not the kind of party I had imagined from my dear party girl Denisa, maybe she was just exhausted from the previous nights. Despite the my initial surprise at this somewhat depressingly relaxed party, I was a bit flattered that this circle of people, Americani, where playing a game I had introduced to the house the night before. Also I wasn’t exactly in the loud music, get piss drunk party mood anyway, I also wasn’t in the mood to talk to Americans, but that’s not new. I was perfectly content standing in the kitchen with Helene, Vito, Francesco and Andrea, speaking only Italian. I was very proud of myself for carrying on a conversation with Helene about the Volcanic
activity in Italia and later about my confusion of what to study, which led me into detail about my passion for the environment, social justice and alternative medicine.
Alessandro and Daniele showed up a bit later. I was so happy to see them of course because I love them so, but my relationship with them is built in English and I am not comfortable speaking Italian with them and I was on a roll, so I mostly continued talking to Alessandro’s friends. After the party, Andrea, Francesco, Daniele, Katie, our new friend Maretta and I had another snowball fight although us girls cheated a bit with our umbrellas. We dropped Daniele off at home, then proceeded to Lucio’s, the bar. It was closed so we went to another bar only to witness a drunken and somewhat entertaining fight between an Irish man and an Italian. I think the first fight I have seen yet. After about five minutes we decided it wasn’t really our scene so we left, only to get pelted by more snowballs from two strangers. It turned into our group against the two of them so clearly we kicked ass. Then we were not really sure
where to go, I was thinking home since it was almost three. Then I had a fabulous idea. I remembered the bakery near my old apartment that is open around 2am when they start making fresh bread. This sounded way better than drinking at a bar anyway so we all went. But on the way we walked by Alessandro’s room, pelted his window with snowballs, then by Vito’s room and pelted it with snow as well. We were determined to get as much as we could out of this night. It was so much fun.
Also, I wanted to mention a few other things, such as Katie’s new roommates. There are three girls, all in there mid or late twenties and from Costa Rica. I only remember Maria’s name and I have not met the third one. But Maria and no name are nice. They only speak Italian to us which is great. I just me them but I keep hinting at them to make us Costa Rican food and I had about a ten minute conversation about platanos.
Also I wanted to say that on Sunday night there was this huge bon fire in Bagnaia probably for
some saint. I almost didn’t go but I decided to stick it out last minute and walk the extra twenty minutes. They lighted it at 6:30pm but I got there at 9 which was probably better. I met up with Maretta and a bunch of Americans. Then I bumped into Vito and Francesco. Lucally I hung out with them most of the night along with Amaretta and her friend Amber. We drank some Vin Brule (mulled wine) and some regular wine and stood by the fair, talked and listened to live music. All I ate for dinner was about three cookies that I had made for Daniele and this wine, talk about sugar overload and getting drunk fast. I was only planning on staying for an hour but ended up staying until one. I had so much fun and it was totally worth it. Unfortunately I had to wake up at 7am the next morning to babysit triplets for one hour. It was easy but too early, so I got back home and slept.
I have been getting odd jobs here and there, which feels great. Last weekend I helped prepair an English teacher for an interview. She only
wanted to practice with a native speaker and paid me 10 euros an hour for it. We met three days in a row. Then I babysat Monday morning through an English speaking school. I also worked for them for three hours on Friday at the school. This morning I babysat Ascanio, whose mom is a woman I used to meet with just to talk to. Now we meet in La Quarcia at the grandparents house and play together while I try to understand the grandparents a bit. At first I got weird vibes at the house and felt awkward but now I enjoy going there. The other day I was in Viterbo and running to catch the bus to La Quarcia but I ran into the grandparents and they graciously gave me a ride. I am so grateful I am getting jobs here.
Today when I came back home, I was a little nervous I would be in trouble or something for not being here for the kids, but it wasn’t a problem. Tiziana is so low key and I was welcomed back like one of the family. For dinner Tiziana and I made bagels and after dinner we all
watched a movie in Italian together, Marco even let me message his feet.
So I am feeling good, just trying to find the balance between friends in Viterbo and the family in La Quarcia. But just letting go and going with the flow seems to be working out the best.
Anyway, sono stanca, devo dormire
Buona notte tutti
Ciao caio
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