Catania e pazza!!

Alrighty, where to start. Well, I got in ok obviously! There were 3 that met me at the airport, Gabriele, Genny, and Davide. They are all sooo nice and helpful. They speak some English so when I cant really understand them it helps.


My apartment is interesting. I live with 4 other girls, one that I just met today. Their names are Sofia, Maria, Carla and Sylvia. Carla is another Aiesecer from Switzerland, very nice girl, she speaks French, English and Italian fluently. Sofia speaks only Italian and does so very fast. When I try to speak to her she always looks at me as if she is extremely confused. I cant figure out if she likes me or not, and also if she is a gossipy girl. She sure does talk on the phone a lot. I heard her talking on the phone and sounded like she was arguing with someone then 2 seconds later she goes "perfetto" which means perfect, like everything is ok. I think that is just the way they talk here. Maria speaks a little english. She was telling me about an American friend she had that she has kept in touch for over 17 years, but after 9/11 she hasnt heard one word from her.

My room is big but i have a very small and rather uncomfortable bed that I can feel the springs in. I have double doors that open to a small balcony overlooking other apartments. At night it is loud, so I have to close my window, but its so stinkin hot that I cant at times. I also think that some of my neighbors are potheads because I can smell it late at night every once in a while.


The city itself is just crazy. There are cars everywhere, and you have to be careful crossing the street.

Thursday night I walked around the centro with some of the Aiesecers. Friday I went grocery shopping and tried to get a phone but apparently Cingular has locked my phone so I had to call them. On Saturday I went to Taormina to meet up with Aunt Shaula and the kids, had a blast. Auntie Shaula looked quite excited to see me, so I took a picture of it. I ended up staying at a Hostel for 2 nights there but it was a good deal for a single room with a private bathroom. Taormina is very beautiful. We went to the beach 2 days and then the last day we went to the Teatro Greco. I found out I am going back there tomorrow night for a concert at the Greek Theatre which should be pretty cool. Dont ask me who is performing, I just go with the flow.


On Tuesday I went with Danilo to the Police Station so I can get my Permit to Stay. When you stay longer than a certain time, you have to get this within 8 days of your arrival. We got there at 6AM where you write your name on a piece of paper on the door. Then when they open at 9, they call your name and give you a number. When your number is called you get helped. Its an interesting way of doing things thats for sure! Today I had to get fingerprints done just in case I commit a crime--haha!



I start at FG Coop next Monday. I am excited to see how this is going to work out.

I tried to put some photos on here, we will see if they come out ok!