Sono arrivata!

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Ciao tutti!

I have been here in Italy for 4 days (though my program doesn't start until tomorrow), and now I finally have a minute to write, so it's time for my first entry!

Milan is nice... very urban. Not very pretty. But very Italian! There are not a lot of tourists so although people do speak some English, I have to speak a lot of Italian. Which is good, but is a little mentally taxing... we'll see!

We really have been having a good time, trying to find our way around the city. We found my apartment today (on a very busy street in between Piazza Caiazzo and Piazza Loreto, so it's central but not tooo central). And obvi we have been enjoying the good food and good wine.

This morning we returned from a two-day mini-vacation on Lake Como (bellissimo!), where George Clooney lives (though no George sighting... sigh). We hopped around to the different villages via ferry, which was so beautiful. We both would have loved to stay there, but alas it was time to return to the hustle and bustle of the city.

My mom (who came with me to help me move in) is only JUST getting the hang of being here... she still makes me ask about every little thing and when I start asking someone something in Italian, she interrupts with loud, slow English. For example:

Jan: Go ask when the train is coming!
Jenna: I just did, they said 10 minutes.
Jan: Ask again! I don't want to miss it!
Jenna: Ok fine. "Scusi, ma quando e' il promisso treno per..."
Jan: "TRAIN! SCUSA WHERE IS THE TRAIN?"
Jenna: Mom I have it under control...
Stranger: "Uh you go over there... it come soon... dieci minuti"
Jenna: Yes Mom, exactly like I said. 10 minutes. Say it.
Jan: Ohh come onnnn.... I don't have to say it every...
Jenna: SAY IT.
Jan: You were right....

She means well, even SHE knows she sounds a little ridiculous and immediately gives us away as Americans (which is dangerous because people like to take advantage of Americans!), especially when she goes into stores and asks if they take US dollars. She finally stopped when I told her that doing that is equivalent to going into a Boston Starbucks and asking if they take Euro. But now she thinks her little antics are funny and has had me repeat the story to my whole family at least three times (ok you caught me, I'm not complaining, I love telling and re-telling stories...)

Okay time to go - not very many minutes left on my internet card. So feel free to leave comments, here or on facebook. Miss you all!

Love,
Jenna

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Comments

[mom]

on sono arrivata Boston!
ha, ha, ha! I was not that bad!

[Pegs]

Jenna sweetie - I'm looking forward to reading your future postings - this first one about Jan had me laughing out loud. Every time I think about you I relive my accosting that poor woman in her car downtown, thinking it was you :) Have a wonderful time! Can't wait to see you in December. Love you, Pegs

[Alison]

Miss u
Hey Jenna, glad you're having a great time. Italy sounds wonderful!! Perhaps that's where i will have my honeymoon (relax, no ring yet...i'm back in school full time so no time for a wedding!!). Anyway, miss u tons....send me your address there so i can send you some good ole smail mail. Love ya, ali

[zahra]

stories about jan actually make my LIFE. so glad we got to talk to you the other day, my love. xox