Blogs from Monza, Lombardy, Italy, Europe

Monza is synonymous with Formula 1. A mere 12 kilometres from downtown Milan, every summer the masses descend for the Italian Grand Prix. The lure of Lewis Hamilton and an afternoon with ear plugs in wasn't on offer on a cold December morning. The plan for the morning was already in disarray. The local Government offices at the Place of Lombardy let you ascend to the top of their tower for a panoramic view for free. Well, most Sundays they do ..... but not today. A small notice affixed to the door basically said closed because it was a Bank Holiday the previous Friday. We looked skyward. The tower was crossed off the agenda and we walked down to Porta Garibaldi railway station. The whole local area is being developed. Out with old and in with ... read more

No, it isn't regret at all. I don't believe that there is a perfect place. I will probably not stay in this country because it is just very difficult financially, and just doing things is hard. But, i don't think true happiness is about a place. I definitely am glad that I came and things are becoming progressively easier. Also, my real hopes about the trip are being realized. I am so happy to be traveling and seeing this beautiful place. We have gone to Paris, Verona, Como, Milano (of course), and we have a huge three week trip taking adventure ahead of us during the holidays which will include Venice, Florence and Rome. Plus, there is a holiday coming up in a few weeks that we will be taking advantage of--we just haven't decided where ... read more

English teaching is really neat--if I'm good at it, which remains to beseen. I really like my students and since they are all individuals and small groups, I get to find out about things like Italian culture and where their favorite restaurants are and such. Unfortunately, regular mail isn't safe. I had a book sent from Amazon and someone took the box (it didn't fit in the mail box so the postman left it on the floor in the lobby), ripped it open, probably realized it was in English and of no use to them, and just threw it in the elevator. Our neighbor found it and gave it to us luckily. I couldn't believe it! So, now everything has to be sent either via fedex or UPS, or specially through regular mail. I hate that ... read more

Well, I'm still planning on being here for a while. I think it's toughening me up which will bode well for my long term approach to life--but eventually, I still expect to want to go back to the states. Things are really a pain in the butt here and space is limited. I don't think I will be able to stand living in an apartment forever, you know? With music, it's a real problem. I don't like everyone watching my every move and bitching if they hear music after 9, and threatening to evict us. It's not fun for me. I'm really worn down right now. This is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. I got a part time job teaching english and have another interview tomorrow. I'm on an emotional roller coaster---elated one ... read more

I spent hours today on the phone and going through the newspaper. It was so hard to talk to people. All I want to know is if people use technical writers? But I couldn't get an answer. I fear that I will be reduced to teaching English. Of course that is a bit dramatic since i don't mind the thought of it. I think I might actually enjoy it. I like explaining stuff and I like words and language. Maybe I'll be good at it. We'll see. But it's not going very quickly yet. I don't know what to do except what I'm doing. No one said this would be easy. and it isn't. When I come back, everything will seem so easy. It will be a while before I take for granted the ease of ... read more