Finalmente, Sono in Italia!

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Ciao! I am in Italy now, my new home for the next few months. I am now enjoying a completely different lifestyle from that I've enjoyed to date. The weather is rather cold here (at least, colder than the typical subtropical regions that I'm used to)... something like 40s °F and single digits °C... che bello! It rains quite a bit and is rather foggy... but I actually like it. I'm living outside of the city so I have to bike into town over 3 km in the morning, which is always the adventure because you never know what crazy obstacle is coming at you... whether it be the traffic circles, the European drivers, the standard car sliding slightly backwards, someone who is much more skilled than you trying to pass you up on a narrow path, or whatever comes my way. Nonetheless, it is still great. For the next three weeks, after a breakfast of cookies and hot tea, and a beautiful bike ride through the countryside, I head off the the university for a 2 1/2-hour-long class in intensive Italian, which pretty much gives me a headache at times because of the small, yet very important details of the Italian language -- for example, the imperfetto vs. passato prossimo, tutti i pronomi... ecc. Che mal di testa! Nonetheless, the teacher is fabulous and very patient. And she is making us all work on rolling our R's... difficult for me! Once class is over I either meander about the town or return home to relax and eat some delicious food. The fruit here is to die for... fresh and cheap!
I do hope to start getting involved a bit more in different activities throughout the city, but the rain can be a deterrent to getting back on the bike and nearly dying on the way into town. I think the weather is about to clear up a bit, so we will see how next week goes.
The best scene that I have seen yet from my bike occurred this morning. When I jumped onto my bike this morning, it was amazing I could even see my hand right in front of me the fog was so thick... After I biked a good while, and passed through the first traffic circle... I see a parked bike in front of me. As soon as I find the owner, I can't help but laugh for he was answering nature's call right there amoung a sparse collection of bushes.
Also, I can't help but mention the talent that I didn't know I had. I can, despite what EVERYONE told me, both ride a bike, stroll along the city walls, AND walk upon the cobblestones IN HEELS. My boots were quite the great purchase, and I have already broken them in well. and yet, with all the sales going on here, I really want to buy more! Maybe I will do a bit of shopping tomorrow if I get some time... it is supposed to rain quite a bit. Maybe Thursday.
As for now, I am still settling into my new life and know things are only going to get more busy and more fun from here on out. I will keep you posted! Ciao!

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Photos

Ciao! '
Here I am on the city walls

Castello
a ceiling inside of the castle that we visited on Sunday

La Mia Pista Ciclabile
This is what I have to ride on everymorning for the longest part of my ride into town

Proof!
Proof I am able to do it! Here I am in the center of the town in front of the cathedral on my bike and in my heels!!

Comments

[BrightItalian]

Hello!
Ok first you need to try to call me again! I can't wait to upload photos when my mom sends me the cord I forgot! But um I think we have the same weather it rains about everyday, and yesterday the fog was so bad i could only see about 20 feet in front of me! I can't believe you bought boots! I want to buy stuff soo bad but I am stopping myself! Even though i broke my bots today and i have to go by superglue! eeek! O man we are still going to Torino, we will be there around 8 in the morning, b/c it is a looong train ride. BACI! I miss you!