The Park

Venice has been around since 452AD....that in itself is inspiring. So when you hear an American tourist say 'its old' with disgust in their voice, you want to turn around and say 'no s**t sherlock'!!!! But that pretty much describes most American tourists...absolutely no concept of history and no global mindedness in the least. Now, that is not to say that I am the expert here but I have a sense of what this place is about. And that is what the tourist misses. If you are one of the some 13+ million tourists who embark on the island each year for the obligatory 2-3 day spin of the major hot spots, you miss the point. Oh sure, you can see alot on an island that is only 2 1/2 miles long in 2-3 days, but you dont really SEE it.

Take for example, my walk today. I chose a new direction and within 5 minutes I managed to be right back where I started from!! But, not easily dissuaded, I tried again and before I knew it, I had left the hubbub of the touristy area and encountered a real park...right there in Venice--on the island. It was actually more than a park. With black iron gated walls and trees that were at least 100 years or older, me and the other 12 people in this secluded area enjoyed the quietness and the fragrant smell of roses and flowers and grass and trees. Although I have never been, it reminded me of Central Park. And, it offered something else that is hard to come by in Venice--park benches: a place to actually sit for as long as you want and not be charged...that is a true find and one that most tourists sadly will miss.

And now a word from your sponsor (pubblicitta).....

You probably didnt see this on the NBC nightly news and I imagine it only made page 14 of the local newspapers, but apparently the European Union passed a fashion referendum. They were concerned that there werent enough primary colors being worn on the feet. Not to be taken lightly, they polled all other nations and communities:

The Americans spend 9/10 of their life in white tennis shoes or cheap flip flops because they want to be comfortable, so they didnt see the urgency of the problem.
The Indian community wears plenty of primary colors as clothing and shoes are often optional or only sandal like, so they passed joining.
The Asian community is still trying to figure out who they want to be, so they couldnt be bothered with it.
The Post Communist countries didnt realize there was an option and they responded in silence.
The African communities dont care much about shoes but asked to be included when a ban on flies is established.

So, that left the European Union. And they took their challenge seriously. Red shoes, blue shoes, yellow shoes, green shoes, gold shoes, silver shoes, you name it, they made it. And they wear it proudly! The Italian men, however, not to be left out, wanted something of their own and since Mamma runs the household, they decided to take the primary color referendum one step further and wear pants in all the same shades.....red, yellow, blue, green, pink (yes, pink).

And now there is harmony once again in the world of primary colors.

Time and Weather

Time moves at a strange pace here...it seems to move slowly because of the hords of people in your way all the time yet before you know it, 3 hours have passed and you have walked miles and miles again....I was a bit concerned about how to spend the time but it doesnt really seem to be a problem as of yet. I am still trying to figure out a daily schedule...its a bit strange not having to report in to a job or have someone tell you to be somewhere at a certain time/place. I am peaceful about it and figure it will all come together as needed...however, it is a bit strange to not talk to anyone for a whole day...Mr. P is not exactly the best conversationalist.

I try to spend at least an hour a day listening to Italian TV....sometimes easier than others...depending on the program, some talk faster than others. I am also amused by a few things. For exampe, whenever there is a commercial on, they write 'pubblicita' in the corner to tell you that this is an advertisement....is that really necessary? And the weatherman is also some military officer dressed in full uniform...apparently this is supposed to give some credibility to the weather forecast although I have yet to see anyone tell me a temperature...they usually talk about how rough the sea is going to be and put a picture of a cloud or sun over the general area...pretty much the same guessing game as in the States.

Grocery shopping has been an experience...I am actually building arm muscles from carrying things around all the time. The grocery store takes forever..you have to be conscious of what you are putting in your basket because you have to carry it home--now I know why everything is so small in this city!! And I never realized how much I shopped by just knowing the box covers...in a new place with new box covers, this task is much more difficult. I am also curious as to why and how the milk, eggs and OJ are never refidgerated...boggles the mind how that works...the milk and OJ I have tried and all seems well (although I do put it in the fridge after opening) but I havent yet dared to try eggs.

Rather chilly today and windy so my plans to go to the beach are scrapped but I am sure there will be other opportunities soon. Signing off for another day....am hoping the internet angels come soon to my apartment...

Goodbyes and inventions

So...everyone left this morning...bittersweet as my brother and his wife took off for the rest of their italy vacation and I put mom on the plane back to civilization (as she calls it)! What a strange feeling when I set foot on the island again alone and realized this was real...can you really be petrified and exhilirated at the same time? So, I fight back tears now because, well, because and sit it this internet cafe to update you.....

So, lets talk about great Italian inventions....first, and probably debatable is the bidet..as common as a sink in Italy but not at all functional for Americans. Mom thinks its stupid and I should put a TV table over it with a tablecloth and at least be able to utilize the space! But, the Italians are very close to their bidets and so I will keep it as is. Yesterday, we went to the beach and once back home we needed to wash the sand out of our shoes..the bidet came in quite handy for that as well as a great recepticle for drying!

Next are the windows...they open like 8 ways to Sunday....up, down, sideways...fascinating...now, why they dont have screens is beyond me...with so many mosquitos you would think, but then again, that is being American and I have to stop that train of thought....so, the windows are way cool...

Another great bathroom feature is the heated towel rack attached to the wall....it has 2 purposes...to hang your towels, obviously but it also heats the bathroom since there are no radiators in there....way to go Italy.

In the kitchen, over the sink is what looks like regular cupboards but once you open them up, you magically have your dish drying rack. So, you wash your dishes and instead of leaving them to dry in the sink in one of those plastic thingys, you put it above the sink in a metal drying thingy and then close the doors....perfetto...no dishes to look at....cant believe the Americans didnt come up with that one.

So, thats it for great inventions in the household. So many things to share....random thoughts that cross my mind as I am walking around...would love to tell you but by the time I get to the internet cafe, they have escaped me. I should have brought one of those little recorders so I could capture the audio moment.

Still looking for peanut butter....found a little, little jar of some generic thing with a great big price...oh well...seriously thinking I should open a PB Loco restaurant here in Italy...I think it would be a great success.....

So, today as I sign off from the internet cafe where I am now a regular (still waiting for the appointment for the internet connection at my apartment), I am going to grab a piece of pizza for lunch, go back to do laundry (which should take at least a good solid 2 days because of all the guests I just had), say hello to Mr. P (which is done by entering the apartment and saying, ciao gatto!) and then go grocery shopping....Mr. P is out of food...funny, the only American cat food they have here is Whiskas and he hated that in the US...but, he is eating it like crazy, so we will go with it for a while.

I also think a nap is in order during siesta today...thats probably another great invention (although I doubt it was the Italians who thought of it). And, I will embark on my book...I think I have the first few paragraphs written in my head, so must put them on paper before another fleeting thought takes its place!

Miss you all......see you most of you soon! :-)

Found it again

miracles of all miracles, we found the same cheap internet cafe....time to pay some bills and check what is going on in the world...i have no idea what is happening anywhere...i heard two people talking about paris hilton going to jail...i guess thats big news....i am just living in my own little surreal island like world!

had some more visitors show up last night...had to meet them at the airport....always a new adventure..tried to take the bus through the city this time....sounds easy..its not! I left the house at 430pm and got back with the girls at 9pm....see, everything moves slowly around here!

The weather is great...a bit humid for those of us from Arizona, but nothing to complain about.

I had my first home cooked meal yesterday...managed to make my way around the grocery store and buy some fresh made gnocci pasta and some fresh gorgonzola cheese....a meal fit for a queen. Mr. Peabody on the other hand is completely disgusted with Italian cat food...I have been going to the store every day buying a different kind hoping to find one he likes....I imagine if I run out of options, he will just eat when he gets hungry enough.

The girls leave tomorrow at noon and my brother shows up around 2pm for the weekend...then all leave on Monday and I am alone in Venice for the first time....until the 25th. Looking forward to figuring out my routine....it definitely includes sleeping late and a daily cup of cappucino!

Cheap Internet Cafe

Wow..found an internet cafe where it only cost 5 euros for 1 hour....actually got caught up a bit on the emails and now have 15 minutes left to write the blog...

First the good news..I turned in my permisso di sogiorno (permission to stay) and it only took 4 times....thats quite a feat for Italian standards...so now, I wait for the official paperwork but I dont care because I have the receipt and thats all that matters.

I can read many things in Italian and catch about every 3 word..forming a sentence is next to impossible...its also hard because the Italians have this knack for making everything seem like its your fault...its all in the tone....amazing what they do....keeps a person humble and off step and before you know it, you have forgotten what you wanted to say!

Have learned a few things here....when you buy a train ticket, dont tell them what train you want, tell them what stop you want..otherwise you pay for the entire train trip! Costly mistake! Also, if you want coffee (which I have really grown to like cappuccino here), you will pay more for it if you want the luxury of sitting down to drink.....if you stand at the counter its about 1 euro 50 but it you want to sit down it about 3 euros.....places to sit are a high commodity here.....

Did my first load of laundry....was only able to fit 4 shirts and a pair of pants in there before it was full....then the cycle takes 1 hour and 45 minutes to wash....can you believe that!!! Then I got to hang it outside my window (the line was already installed)...dropped a few clothespins 3 stories down and had to walk down to get it and then walk back to my apartment to continue hanging laundry....love to see my undies out for the whole world to view!

Found a larger grocery store....however, you have to pay 1 euro to get a shopping cart....interesting premise.....not sure if you get your euro back once you turn in your cart.....we were lucky enough to score one as a person was leaving....still looking for some basic things here like a broom and mop, but have found most everything else.....

Yesterday I walked 6.7 miles (mostly lost) which is pretty amazing since the island is only 2.5 miles long....I am going to be so skinny when I come home!

Update

So much to tell you..but first, let me apologize for telling you to read the blog and then not writing in it....being at an internet cafe is not only expensive but demanding...these computers are from the 19th century and the keyboards are in Italian so many of the characters are in different places.

Just when I thought the pilot had dropped me off in Seattle, the rain stopped...its beautiful now. Have made some progress with paperwork...one last thing to do (the big one...permisso di sogiorno).

My friends drove me to IKEA and I did a whirlwind shopping trip, then we crashed an Italian wedding and then lugged all my purchases home via boat and walking.

The cat is fine...back to his grumpy self. My Italian is less than desirable but I am trying. I have applied for my internet access and they are telling me about 25-30 days someone will call me (in Italian) to tell me they are coming over to check out the wiring for it....after that, who knows how long it will take...so, my blog will be sparse and erratic for a while...hang in there with me, however.....I will catch you up on everything when I can

Observations on a Theme

So much rain...more in one day than in 2 years in Phoenix. But a nice change of pace. The flight was uneventful until the end when the cat got sick and the suitcase disappeared (and then magically appeared). Don't bring 5 suitcases to Italy unless you are prepared to receive many dirty looks from people...completely appalled with me! Snuck the cat in...good thing he was sick...no meowing going on. All moved in...getting used to water pressure, siesta closings, grocery shopping, and, of course, the language. Which by the way...all knowledge of the Italian language will immediatly leave you when you are talking to an official. Trying to get my internet service requested...who knows how that works or how long it takes...until then, every couple of days at the internet cafe probably. Visitors coming today, next Thursday, next Saturday and then about every 2 weeks after that for the next 4 months....hope it stops raining!