Shopping in Cagli

I have decided that the best way to speak Italian is to just add an 'o' to the end of words. For instance, when I went into the stationary story to get some envelopes for class I simply asked for and envelop-o - I could tell the store manager was so impressed with my quick grasp of the language as he reached into the back room and brought out the item I had asked for...a small paper sack. OK - it was close, but no cigar. After a few more minutes and my excellent skill in charades I finally walked out with sexta (six) small envelopes - and some bright yellow poster board. Which I did want. I put my grade school teacher skills to use as I setup the lab equipment for check out. The students seem to like it and it has made a big difference.

My next step was to find the back stage area of the theater. I really wanted to see what it looked like, dressing rooms, storage, lights, booms and wings. Those in theater will understand. This place is fantastic. The stage is racked - which is how all stages started out. In layman's terms it means that it slants down towards the audience. That is where the term 'up stage' came from. The theater seats over 500 people and has individual box seats available. The fly and wing space is huge - individual dressing rooms for up to 3 people and a small amount of storage. Obviously this theater was decided for traveling groups and not a local group. The light board operates from the back of the audience and is computerized. But the rest of the theater has the century flavor and style. I was in heaven!

Oh My Aching Calves!

You may remember as a child your father (or mother) telling you that they had to walk 5 miles uphill - both ways - to get to school. Well I think if that is the case the school must have been located in Italy. It was a true day of rest - Judy took the lab key from me so that I couldn't work so I decided to explore the countryside instead. I grabbed my backpack and some iced tea and headed out. As I went I hummed the backpack song "I like to go a wandering upon the hills so green, and when I go I like to take my backpack on my back...tradaleee....tradalaa....tradalee...tra da lalalala....trad da leee...trad da laaaa...my backpack on my back. OK girl scouts was good for something. Anyway I soon found out that every where I went I had to deal with hills - and I swear to you they were always going up! I don't think anything goes down. I was able to get some good pictures and managed to not get lost (a break through for me). By the time I got back to town I was hot and really wanted to sit and rest. Instead I heard a "come on mom, we're going to the waterfall!" The girls on the trip have taken to calling me mom- which is fine. So I followed them to the water fall - you guessed it - uphill. However the area they wanted to swim in was at the bottom of a cliff. Not to be undone I scampered down the steep incline and only suffered a minor injury when I put my hand down on a pricker bush. That darn pricker is still imbedded firmly in my right index finger. I hope it works its way out before too long.

Anyway, the waterfall was beautiful and the area was cool. I sat and took pictures as the girls swam and explored. Soon the remaining students showed up and the area was swarming with Americans. Dark clouds and the threat of rain chased this adventurer back up the slope and to the safety of my room. I didn't want the camera to get ruined.

Evening came and I had a nice dinner with the graduate students. Afterwards I treated to gelato. My first of the trip. I can't say I didn't like it because it was very good - but it really wasn't what I was expecting. I still like the India ice cream better. But don't tell anyone - I don't want to get kicked out of Italy!

Afterwards Jacki and I hiked back up to the waterfall (yes it was about 11pm and very dark). We made it to the ledge and then figured it was probably in our best interest to not try and scamper down the cliff. We headed back to the piazza. When I finally climbed into bed that night my calves were achy - but I was glad for the day I had and that Judy held the key captive. I really enjoyed myself.

When in Italy...

Nothing much really happened today. Pretty much routine - woke up - went to the lab - worked until 6pm and went home. I did manage to smash my finger in the door as I was leaving - ouch! So I thought I would talk a little bit about cars in Italy. The roads here are small - most are one way since only one car can fit - barely. Lots of FIAT's can be seen. Sometimes you'll see a fancy car like a ferrari but most are family style. Today while drinking my morning Caffe' I watched the school bus pick up children. This was a full size school bus - it must have come from some secret way that only bus drivers know. I can't imagine it coming down my street - I can almost reach out and touch the other side. Truthfully a VW bug would be the best way to give you an idea. If I put a VW on the street there would be just enough room for a person on one side of it to walk. So I am not sure how the bus made it - but it did. I am sure the kids weren't happy. I saw the kids climb on and do something no Wisconsin student ever does - sat down and put on a seat belt! Shoulder harness and all. Wow - a bus with seat belts - now that is a novel idea. Perhaps they need them in case the driver hits a wall? It is possible, although this one didn't seem too banged up.

At night the moon was cresting over the mountain I can see from my room window. I climbed up onto the window sill (they are really robust here) and just watched the clouds float past. I tried to get some pictures, but point and shoot camera's just don't have the delicate settings I needed. So I sat and watched without the aid of technology. It was really peaceful and I felt so comfortable that I climbed down, grabbed a book and sat back in the window and read by moonlight. It was wonderful.

A little later some of the students saw me and came up to my room - we sat and talked, watched some Italian TV - including an episode of "South Park" and then headed to bed. Tomorrow is Saturday and the students have the day off. I get to work on the network for a while and then the day is mine as well. Shopping here I come!

I found Pipi Longstocking!

When I was a teen my sisters and I found this really different show - Pipi Longstocking on a PBS station. We watched it even though it was pretty bad. It was a french show that had been re-voiced by American actors so of course the lips didn't match up. This morning as I was making breakfast I turned on the television and was channel surfing and what shows up - but Longstocking de Pipi! It was the same show - but this time with Italian voice-over. I sat and watched it mainly because I couldn't believe that the tapes still existed and partially because I had as a kid. It hasn't changed. Even in Italian it was bad.

The last thing I needed to setup in the lab were the printers. Last night as we were getting ready to leave for the day they arrived. I spent the better part of the morning adding them into my rogue network I have created with my laptop serving as the server. Music for today is Gaelic Storm - I hope that its legal to listen to Irish music while in Italy. So far no one has complained.

I installed Skype on all the machines as well. This is pretty boring talk and I apologize, just wanted to let you know I am working in between all the fun walking around.

Tonight we are going to Seven's place (a bar the students have adopted) it is owned by Seven - who is the seventh son born in his family and so they named him seven. Just a little Italy trivia for you. He has offered to buy the group dinner and drinks. I think this may bankrupt him. Obviously he has not fed teenagers before and ones on budgets are even worse! I have been paying attention to more of the shops around the square as I walk back and forth. They have some neat things. I will have to see what I can fit in my suitcase on the way home.

Just a couple more Italian pointers and then I'll let you go for today. One - when ordering bottled water make sure you specify 'Naturale' or you will get carbonated. Two - cats in Italy don't like bread tossed at them (they hiss), and Three - people get upset when you leave bread out for cats.

Mimi and No-No's

I may have mentioned that most of the faculty will meet in the square to discuss the day. I woke early and went for a walk. I brought my iPod and have decided that AC/DC's Back in Black is perfect for walking the steep hills and angled streets. Dodging cars is easier as they yell in your ears. At the end I decided coffee would be good. Now, my Italian has been a slow process, but I know how to order my coffee. After all I have my priorities. The place I like the best is a small Cafe' in the square. The real name escapes me - but the faculty call it simply "Mimi's". I walked in and proudly state Cafe Machiotto...which basically means a shot of espresso with cream. Starbucks could never match its taste. Now something you should know. If you walk into an Italian Cafe' and confidently speak the order clearly and accurately it is like a flag waving with the words "I speak fluent Italian"....oops. Mimi started talking to me - very nicely I replied "sorry - I don't speak Italian". Now I am her project. Mimi has decided I will learn basic Italian before I leave. The only problem is she speaks really fast. She has managed to teach me that if you order at the counter, you drink at the counter (now I know why that guy in the train station was yelling at me for sitting down after I ordered - stupid American), you don't need to tip in Italy (it's included in the price) and that the proper way to say thank you is Gracia not Gracie as I had been saying. I may get this yet. I like Mimi - she is my kind - relentlessness, confident in my ability to learn and really caring.

After classes the faculty met at Mimi's again to have some wine. I ordered - dose bianche and dose vina rosa (White and Red Wine - 2 of each). Mimi brought out the wine and a tray lined with breads, peanuts and chips. Have I mentioned that I really like Mimi? After a while we were joined by some uninvited guests. No-no's. Italy's version of mosquito's. I knew it was too good to be true. I don't get mosquitoes bites-at least not the hive part-and I am hoping my low blood sugar will keep them away. A few of the girls have not been as fortunate and now have nice swelled appendages...I mean it - our bites are nothing to these. I am guessing that this is why the locals don't sit out too much in the evening. They head indoors to the bars and disco's (yes, you read that right - disco's) or perhaps it is the good music. In any case I didn't hear any AC/DC.

Our phones finally work so I called my house tonight. It was good to hear Jim and Andy's voices. Tomorrow I am going to try and use the Skype phone in the lab to see if I can catch Jimmy. It is .09 euro a minute - I think I can afford that...

Festiva Republica!

June 2nd is the Festiva Republica - Italy's independence day. It began with a small parade around the Piazza (town square) and a speech by the current Mayor. The poor guy - the sound system was not functioning right leaving him looking like Don Knotts in "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" (those younger than 30 - check it out on YouTube or ask your parents). The students used this parade to practice their picture taking skills. This was after the quickest lesson on the rule of thirds that I've ever seen. It was remarkable. At the end of the speech all the children release helium balloons into the air - some willing - some not so willing. That pretty much ends the 'official festivities' but then just like at home families gather and celebrate. We held class. The students returned for the brisk afternoon sessions and patiently awaited their chance to flee and celebrate as well.

Thankfully this came at about 4:30 - but - believe it or not we had to kick them out of the lab. The town is very strict about the use of the lab so it closes on time. I even was booted! Some nerve! :)

I ended my day at a meeting with the faculty followed by a nice dinner of pizza...ok it wasn't exactly that smooth. For some reason I have not been feeling all that well so my head began to spin a bit. There really isn't a ton of protein in the foods I've been eating and I think my blood sugar just suddenly dropped. Thankfully, Bill was paying attention and ordered me some cheese to boost even out my levels a bit. It was really good cheese and this was one of those times it was good I didn't speak Italian because I didn't know it was sheep cheese until after I had enjoyed about 1/2 of it! Had I known ahead of time I would never have even tried. Don't tell my children.

So we are now in our 4th day in Italy and I have aquired quite the vocabulary. I can now say "good morning" "good evening" "please" "thank you" "excuse me" "don't understand Italian" and "American". I think I may just be fluent by the time I'm ready to retire from Marquette!

I finished my day watching "National Treasure" in Italian. Nicolas Cage has a really nice Italian accent!

The Rain Goddess Lives!

Don't tell anyone on the trip - but I am the rain Goddess. My family knows this. It was a name given to me by my brother-in-law after one long, soggy, camping trip. Italy was not going to be any different. The last 2 days have been sunny and warm. Today I have to get the equipment from my room, to the bus to Cagli. Once the bus arrives I have to get it from the bus to the classroom in the middle of the Piazza. So of course, its raining! It seems to slow down when I am inside and speed up when my foot hits pavement. Cagli is a nice little village, the people are really nice and I think I am providing them a great deal of entertainment as I walk back and forth from car to classroom to apartment. I found out the hard way that my coat wasn't waterproof. Unfortunately for me the two ares that it soaked through the most were - you guessed it - the mighty mounds! So of course I now have to keep my coat on the entire day so I don't embarrass myself.

The apartment is down hill from the classroom - the roads are mostly marble and cobble stone. I am not sure if my rubber soled running shoes were the right choice for the trip - but I can't think of a better pair that would not be slippery. I did go to the grocery store and buy an umbrella. I held it in my hands for all of 5 minutes before giving it to a cold wet student and sending her on her way.

Oh - the grocery store. When I was a kid there was a corner market. I used to buy candy with rocks. Well, this store reminded me of it. The students found out you could get a 5 gallon jug of red wine for 5 Euro! I chose the 5lb bag of M&M's instead. Did I mention that the store was at the bottom of even a steeper hill? Water is now rushing down the middle as I follow Judy (one of the veteran instructors) back up. I am not sure how she is able to make it with 3 bottles of wine, I'm having difficulty with my bag of toilet paper, scott towels and M&M's. I really need to get in better shape.

After about 5 more hours I decide I've had enough and head back to my apartment. I feel like I have spent the day at a water park - but for some reason I feel pretty good about how things are going.

Bill's march on Rome

Our final day in Rome, Bill Thorn took us around and gave us history and a tour. If you are ever going to Rome try and book him for a tour. It is obviously a city he loves and he knows the background better than anything. We visited the Spanish Steps and a number of fountains (OK I wasn't paying that good of attention - too busy taking photos) before heading to St. Peter's Square. It was awesome! One opportunity I didn't pass up - but probably should have - was the walk to the top of the Cathedral in the Vatican. It is 320 stairs after an elevator ride. I could have saved 2 Euro by walking all the way up - but that would have been an additional 200 stairs...not sure if they have paramedics in Rome and I didn't want to find out.

The stairs on the way up twist and turn, slant and weave. I wonder how the Pope makes it up those stairs? Maybe that's why after a short time they all seem to hunch over a bit? Hmmm, something to check into.

So after our trip up the stairs I said good by to St. Peter - he actually has a statue there - keys and all! Steve and I then decided to find the Coliseum before we were finished with our tour. Steve is my walking buddy on these trips and the person I put all my faith in. He reads the map and I look for streets or landmarks. Sometimes when the words get too small I read for him - I am not sure if I should let him know the words are too small for me too - or let him think I can still read them....in any case we found the Forum and shortly after the Coliseum. Unfortunately all the tours were finished for the day - but we were able to walk around it an peer in through the gate and fenced in walls. I felt like the little kids trying to see into a construction site. But even this was worth it. I am amazed that they have kept this for so long - I mean walls were falling down and who would know that this could some day be a significant landmark that most of the world would pay to come see.

We finished and heading back to our hotel crashing a party of some sort at a cafe - I have the picture to prove it! A performance group had just finished singing a song - holding the final note when Steve and I walked past, I snapped a photo as I did.

Planes, trains and automobiles…..

So we had finally left the plane and its horrible food behind. We took a bus to the terminal, had picked up our luggage and managed to find Bill in the crowds (the yellow shirt really helped). Now was the final part of the adventure. The train. I have experience with trains thanks to all the trips to Atlanta, Georgia with the robotics team. This wasn’t too much different, except no one spoke English and the signs were in Italian. Bill had arranged for an Italian faculty member named Irene (pronounced air-re-anne – roll that r) to accompany us. I purchased 12 tickets for the train, but by the time we hit the platform we were a group of 15. As Vince and Irene waited on the platform with the students, Bill and I went for the 3 additional tickets.

Then the train arrived. There was no way I was going to get the tickets and get on the train in time. Bill did something I have not ever seen him do – he told me to just go get on the train and when the conductor asked for tickets to just look dumbfounded and have Irene take care of it.

How do you say prison in Italian?

I ran (yes – you read that right – ran) to the train and jumped on just as the doors were getting ready to close. We were in two separate cars. I could see Steve and his group through the door. Thankfully Irene was with me. Next to me was the conductor. The train was very crowded and I was really trying to avoid eye-contact in case I inspired him to ask me for my ticket.

At the first stop I got a look from Steve through the glass door that clearly was a “do we get off here” type of look. I asked Irene and then signed ‘no stay there’ to him. Shortly after we started I felt a tap on my shoulder. I knew this was it – I was busted and would be thrown off at the next station. I looked and it was the conductor – but he was smiling at me and simply said – so you know sign? Except he hadn’t spoke. He was hearing impaired and had caught me signing to Steve. I spent the next 15 minutes ‘talking’ with him and finding out that he had lost his hearing when he was young and never learned to speak. He asked me where I was from and when I told him America he smiled and signed – President Obama. Apparently he approved.

It was a neat way for me to start my Rome adventure. He never did ask me for a ticket – which was good since I didn’t want to offend my new friend. When the time came to exit he held the door for me and helped me off. We signed farewell and he waved as the train pulled away.

That was nice.

A short distance (in Bill measurement) and we arrived at our hotel, greeted by the provost and one of the Priests from the program.

After a short wait (it was 11 and the rooms would not be ready until noon) we finally got our room keys and this part of the adventure was complete.

We still have to get the equipment to Cagli, but I have two days to rest first. That should help.

Riding on the Romper Room Express

When I returned from Walt Disney World recently I was thankful that my next trip on a plane would have a larger percentage of adults than children. I was looking forward to sipping wine while watching a movie or quietly reading a book. The Gods must have heard my prayers and decided my life had been too easy. This trip had just as many, if not more children than the previous one. I should have known we were in trouble when I was sitting at the gate and a little boy let out a scream that would put many tornado sirens to shame. Really, this kid could be rented out for stadium evacuations! The terminal area became eerily quiet as each and every passenger thought the same thing….I hope he isn’t next to me! Well really non of us had anything to worry about – because he spent the entire trip walking around the plane – sometimes talking but most of the time screaming.

Steve had shown me his ‘sound eliminating’ headphones earlier and I thought – those are nice, but my headset is just fine. Darn you karma! I should have gone directly to the duty free shop and purchased a set. Really, when screams from children can overcome explosions in the movie ‘Dark Knight’ you know it is loud. When the little one wasn’t screaming the lady in front of me was yelling at her son. No he wasn’t naughty – this was how they communicated. I think either they were wearing noise eliminating headphones, their ears were plugged, or no-one ever explained to them about inside voices.

The 2 children behind me took great pleasure in smacking each other, kicking the seats, or trying to play the William Tell Overture on their arm rest ash trays.

Now most of this I figure is pay back for when my kids were young. In my defense I always tried very hard to make sure they didn’t annoy anyone, but I am sure they must have. I tried to keep that in mind as I attempted to sleep.

Just a quick word about the flight attendants on this trip. Those of you that attended Catholic grade-schools probably had a nun at some point that was a no-nonsense person. I think she is the one that trained this crew in customer service. No smiles, very short –anappy assistance, and a need for personal space. When not trotting down the aisles heading for business class they were sitting in the back of the plane watching youtube videos…I kid you not – I stopped at the restroom at one point and the flight attendant was watching the latest Susan Boyle outrage. They did leave a crate of soda, water, and wine outside the door so passengers could help themselves. I was tempted to grab the bottle of wine, and sit at my seat drinking myself into sweet slumber, but I was afraid of what retaliation that may cause and changed my mind.

We passed the ‘romper room torture test’ and were finally released from our seats out into the fresh air of Roma, Italy. Oh sweet, sweet, silence – but wait – we need to take a bus to the terminal. We all smashed (and I mean smashed) into the bus and went in search of our luggage. I had been told in Chicago that the equipment would probably not come out with the rest of the luggage on the carousel…thankfully she was wrong. All of the luggage made it, and as we traveled through the terminal we picked up 6 more students for our group. We now had a herd of 15. I think the best site I saw at that point was Bill’s yellow Marquette shirt….we were almost there….almost.

In the next installment – sneaking on trains.

Adventures!

Have you ever woken up in the morning and the birds were singing, the sun was shining and you knew things were going to go great? I have. However, today it was rainy, the birds were hiding and I still needed to finish packing before meeting with Steve and Kevin at 10:30 to catch the bus. I hurried through the rest of the list, packing things and shuffling it around so that the suitcase would close. I had to pick up extra equipment the night before and now my luggage was ½ clothes, ½ cords.

Thankfully Andy was in a good mood and moved through his morning routine without much prodding from me. We got him to school – chatting all the way – and said our good-byes as he headed into the final 2 weeks of his Freshman year. I turned the car for home and made it back in record time. Along the way I sang to the radio and went through my packing list in my head, remembering that I hadn’t packed any Aspirin. When I got home I finished packing and Jimmy and I headed to the restaurant for a farewell breakfast. Along the way we a car marked “U.S. Customs” passed on the opposite side of the street. I should have taken that as an omen.

We met my friend Sue there and started enjoying the day. That’s when it happened. My cell phone rang. The ring tone told me this was a number I did not have on my contacts list. As the Who belted out the familiar song I grabbed my phone and answered it. It was the airline. They had some shifting in staff the night before and I was informed that the information I had received was not correct. They would not allow the luggage to go as I had it configured. The cases could not weigh more than 50 kilos. I knew I should have paid attention in math class when we were discussing the metrics system. But I did know enough to realize that my 67 pound boxes would not make the cut. My bus left at 10:30 and it was right now 10am. With the speed of a superhero I hung up the phone and contacted the only person I knew that could help me out. Donna. She is the Administrative Assistant to the dean and I would be lost without her. This would not be the first problem she had talked me through.

We decided that the best option was to get another shipping crate and lower the weight of the 3 boxes by shifting equipment. I was transferred to Chris, the Administrative Assistant for the IMC and the hunt for another box began. As I paid my bill and started to the bus station (I had Steve and Kevin’s tickets so I had to make that connection first) Chris hunted down another box and headed to a meeting point. Steve and Kevin were sent to Chicago with instructions on gaining a cart to transport the equipment cases off the bus and into the terminal. Meanwhile, Jimmy and I headed to the park and ride and began removing items from the case. I can only imagine what that must of looked like. We were lucky no police officers stopped to inspect what appeared to be a makeshift rummage sale.

Chris arrived with the case, we moved items around, relocked the luggage and went back to the bus station where I caught the next bus to the terminal. The bus ride was boring and I used it to catch up on a few remaining minutes of sleep. When it stopped at the terminal Steve and Kevin were waiting, cart in tow. Thankfully the line for the check-in was small and I moved to the front of the line rather quickly…but not before getting yelled at for going through the business class line (I was only taking a shortcut).

Now the plot thickens. The lady behind the counter, who was very nice, looked at me and wanted to know why I was brining 5 pieces of luggage, 4 of which were obviously very large and heavy. I explained that it was computer equipment and that I was well aware of the cost of shipping extra pieces. She began the task of checking me in, and a mere $1500 later we were almost on our way. We did need to carry the large cases to a different security area first. I am glad that Kevin and Steve were along – it made things that much smoother.

Well the equipment was headed to Rome – and it actually arrived – but I get ahead of myself. This story is not yet complete as the plane ride was a whole different adventure. But I will save that for the next post.


The moral of this story is – always double check luggage restrictions before heading to the airport. I am glad I did or this could have been a completely different story.