THE LAST POST

Yup. Since I'm no longer in Europe, this little newsfeed of Italian updates must come to an end. Before I sign off, though-

I spent a few days in Paris and Dublin before flying back to Boston! In general, I really feel like:
a) Milan's people are beautiful- everyone dresses well
b) Paris' city is beautiful- the buildings, the layout, the transportation: all immaculate
c) Dublin's the city of good times

People in Dublin were kind of perpetually drunk, and after dealing with the weather for just 2 days, I can't say I wouldn't want to be either. It's chilly, grey and rainy... all the time. But people have pints on their lunch break and constantly are singing in the pubs along with live musicians. Obviously some people take it a little too far (Ireland's got a pretty bad rep for alcoholism) but after I made friends with a few Canadians, we had a great time.

Paris was full of gorgeous, intricate architecture and was surprisingly clean. I would've thought a city that size would have trouble with upkeep, but the city was spotless. And this city was pretty big. I would look at a map and think I could walk the (seemingly) 3 blocks to get someplace, and wouldn't reach my destination for a half hour. I guess that's why the subway and rail system was so good. The MBTA should take note.

Without an alarm clock, I was insanely nervous that I would miss my flights. Tip: sleep with the shades open. You'll be up by 7am.

Now that I'm back, I'm glad to be away from the peeling tomatoes and baby bottles for 6 year olds and constant tantrums, but I want more days off to go exploring. This has been an eye-opening and lush and aggravating and peaceful and horrible and wonderful experience. I don't regret it at all, and believe it or not, I'd consider doing it again.

But I might ask if the children can wipe their own butts before I commit.

For My Last Dinner In Italy, We're Having...

...turkey burgers.

How Else To Tell If Your Child is a Little Shit:

...he constantly calls his father "brutto ciccione," which basically means "ugly fatty."

How to Tell If Your Child is a Little Shit:

...he pees on his brother in the bathtub.

Last Friday Night...

...wasn't as exciting as a Katy Perry song, but for this family it seemed to be. There was a thunderstorm, complete with lightening, hail and torrential downpours, that opened up over Monza last night. And while a hearty New Englander like myself didn't bat an eye when the power went out, these people were excited. I mean taking-pictures-of-the-flooding-streets excited.

I guess they don't get weather like this a lot, and the city's drain systems don't seem to be built for it, which is why the streets overflowed, I think. And with a storm like that, thus begins my transition back to New England.

One more day in this place. I literally wasn't sure this morning as the twins refused to eat and get dressed (yet again) if I could make it that long without strangling one of them. Everyone cross your fingers that we all make it out alive!

Venezia!

Ah Venice!

A trip to northern Italy wouldn't be complete without this city. Partly because it's so unique, partly because it'll be gone soon- I read that it's sinking slowly into the ocean. (So much so that next month, the city is going to start charging a tourist tax to collect money to stave off the water.)

When my host family asked about my trip the night before, Giulia piped up and begged me to take her with me. I lamely tried to give excuses about departing at 6:30am and biking for a half hour to the subway stop, but she didn't care. Honestly, I like exploring alone, and I didn't really feel like being responsible for another person, but Giulia was not to be deterred. So we became Venetian travel buddies.

Strolling around Venice is like strolling around a movie set. It does not seem like anything around you is real, even if you stick your hand into the water. There are no cars, no bikes, just boats and people walking everywhere. It's amazing and completely unlike anything I've ever seen before.

The people are incredibly nice too. Well, the biggest industry in the city is tourism, so obviously they have to be nice, but it's crazy how they can stay so cheerful in streets that are packed with people with cameras and uncomely American accents.

Giulia and I did a bunch of the touristy things: we checked out the Piazza San Marco, the fabulously ornate Basilica, rode to the top of the Campanille to see the cityscape, poked around the Rialto Market and admired the views from the steps of the Palazzo Ducale. We also tried to get lost away from the crowds (very easy to get lost there) and discovered this little shop in a deserted street called La Fenice. It looked like Mr. Olivander's shop fom Harry Potter (maybe a little brighter) with leather bound books and wax seal stamps and masques instead of wands. And- believe it- la fenice in Italian means... the phoenix AKA Dumbledore's trusty pet. And to top it all off, there was another shop with a masque of Potter himself. 

So there's no doubt that Venice is a magical city. Getting lost in the maze of streets was one of the best parts about our day trip. And a Venetian gondola ride? Psh, we didn't even think about it- the standard price is 85 euros. We heard some gondolier offering a "cheap discount" to a skeptical tourist of 65 euros. Are you kidding? Take the Vaporetto (basically a water bus) for 2 euros and see the entire city on the Grand Canal.

No more days off in Italy. :( I've got 2 days left here, then I'm off to Paris and Dublin!

Things I Forgot to Post:

-About every 5th car here is a SmartCar.
-Getting dressed and ready in the morning for the twins includes more steps than I do in about 3 mornings.
-I'll be glad to get back to the US where men wear extremely tight pants less frequently.

Weight A Minute...

SO remember how my host mom has been telling poor Giulia that she needs to lose a few kilos?

Yesterday, the topic came up again while Giulia and Alfonso and I were on a bikeride. Giulia explained that her mother told her she was "getting obese," so I asked her if we could figure out the conversion from kilos into pounds so I could get a better picture of what that meant.

Giulia is 162cm and 55kg. That's about 5'4" and 122 lbs. Which is almost exactly my height and weight. 

So I assured Giulia that she shouldn't worry, because we're apparently getting obese together.

WHY CAN'T YOU BE LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME.

I would've asked if he'd been high on something if he wasn't six and could understand me, but Alfonso tonight helped me cook dinner. Seriously. He insisted that he help with the entire thing and kept asking for jobs to do. Whaaaat?

So I let him stir the vegetables and put salt and pepper on the fish and flip them in the pan...
before he asked if he could do anything else.

Then after dinner? HE ASKED IF HE COULD MAKE THE BOTTLES. This is the most help I have gotten from anyone all summer and it's coming from Alfonso?? The kid that belongs in the innermost circle of hell? Okay that's harsh, but if you could compare tonight's Chef Alfonso with daily Alfonso, you'd see a vast difference too.

Oh sweet mother of God, maybe I'm the one who's gone insane.

The Countdown Begins.

Less than a week left in Italia, and my job is really grating on my nerves. I love exploring the country, but I'm reallllllly relieved that I won't have to peel anyone's tomatoes or make any more baby bottles or cook and clean for seven people three times a day. A lot of times, this job has been extremely trying, and my dignity has had to be put on hold countless times.

Before getting back to the good old U.S. of A, I'm making a couple pit stops in Paris and Dublin. (Maybe the sight of these two cities on the horizon is why I'm kind of itchin' to get outta here.) In Paris, I bit the bullet and booked a teeny hotel in the business district. I'm pretty sure the Louvre will be closed on my full day there (ugh!) so I might have to scratch it from my list of things to do. But hey- it's Paris. Not like there's nothing else there.

In Dublin, my weeping wallet won over and I booked a hostel in the Temple Bar district on a recommendation.  I'm kind of nervous because I'm traveling alone, but not because I'm afraid of getting jumped. My fear is that I won't make any friends and will be the lame kid staying in at night while everyone else goes out to the pubs! Here's hoping my first hostel experience is a good one.

My last day off before my Parisian and Irish adventures is Thursday, and I'm thinking I might do Venice. I haven't decided yet. Though I feel like I could explore for much longer, I do kinda miss the US. Well, I miss being able to understand people. And being able to call and text friends and family. And just basically hanging out with anyone my age!

I've been mingling with bratty 6 year olds and "life-sucks" pre-teens all summer. It's gettin' to me.

Verdict on this Weekend:

...manageable. I know, I can't believe it either. Did I dream it?

I have to say, Giulia was a huge help all weekend without even realizing it. When Big Sis is around to follow, the troops fall in line a lot more quietly. I'm glad she's warmed up to me- I don't think I posted about the time at the dinner table early on when she said she hated me. (Both parents took me aside and apologized to me that night, mortified both at the pre-teen angst and because I could understand that much Italian.) But apparently that's old news- yesterday, she even asked if we could watch Glee together.

Now that Alessandra and Guido are back, however, both twins are back to their typical selves. Currently I am listening to Maxi screeching at his mother at a volume level I can only describe as earsplitting. Something about not wanting to pick up his toys.

I'm glad they saved it for their parents' return.