Benvenuto in Italia
Recap from September 2018 and our first weeks in Italy
Just over a week down in Italy and it's been a mixed bag. There's been a ton of bureaucratic challenge, an abrasive landlord and difficulties at Politecnico. Then, there's being in the big city with accessibility to so much, the fulfillment of figuring things out on our own, the delightful food, and generally the possibility ahead.
Some of the highs:
I've become a regular at a cafe around the corner, William's Cafe. Two cousins bought the place two months ago and are getting to know the business. THey had their opening on Friday night. Both speak english and have become friendly with me and are teaching me Italian. It's fun to have familiar faces. The waiter, Gigi, is wonderful to me and one day when i passed by on the bike he shouted out "Ciao Alessandra." I'm a recognized entity in this neighborhood.
I introduce myself to everyone I meet by saying "Sto imparando l'Italiano. Parlo Inglese. Mi chiamo Alessandra. Come te chiami?" Now Savina in the bakery downstairs knows me, the ladies at the fabric stores know me (Eleanora, Erica, Sylvio, etc.). It's fun.
Lago Como is gorgeous and the many cyclists on the lake inspire me to get a bike here and hit the road. I'm ready to get up there weekly for rides and my sense is fall will be great. There won't be many up there at that time.
Some aspirations:
By the time I leave, I'd like to speak italiano. That means, be able to get around and communicate myself to the locals. I'm excited to take classes and meet other people.
I'd love to leave Milan being able to make my own clothing - dresses and shirts. The other day i said that i could see myself wearing spandex and long shirts/dresses for my entire wardrobe. Wouldn't it be fun if i made it all myself? and if i could make clothes for friends? So excited to be milano trained dressmaker!
More to come…
As of January 2023 I’m not very proud of my Italian abilities. It’s one of the reasons I took my big jump. Let’s see where the year takes me!
