05/23/2009

Sometimes, I feel almost guilty...I'm not always going with the group, and I feel I miss out (especially on churches, museums,etc). There is always an alternative activity for me to do, but still...
Today was one of those days. The group went to Greve e San Gimigniano; steep hills, more physical than I could handle. I'm sorry I missed it, Greve is the Chianti wine capitol (or so I understand); After reading about San Gimigniano, some of us concluded it was a prison city (at one time, 72 towers, and now, a museum of medieval torture devices).
But,enough about what I didn't do or see... you can get the real story from Claire, Brie, Rhiannon & Dr. Tyson on those 2 cities. It was market day in Regello!
I enabled my XX shopping gene, and found every type of store possible, and then some! Gelato at 10:30, fried eggplant at 12:00; and in between, street vendors, markets, stores, and people! Lots and lots of people! I remembered something Dr. Krieg told us when we first got here; there are no public toilets like back home, and you need to carry "potty pennies" because bars (coffee bars, what we would call cafe's) and restaurants charge you to use the toilet, unless you buy something first! I stopped in a bar (~11-ish) for aqua naturale, a chance to sit, and use the bathroom. EU 1,10. I also had the chance to hit6 the ATM for euro; am SO glad my bank advised me to carry only a debit card; because credit cards have seemed to be the bane of many of my compatriots!
My bus back to Casa Cares was due at 1, so I sat down in the bus stop a few minutes before, and an old lady sat down with me. I must have had on my "accessible counselor" face, because she began talking to me in fast & fluid Italian. Finally, (I think) she asked me a question. After she repeated herself a couple oF times, I looked at her, and said, "no Italiano." "No Ialiano?" she asked. I shook my head She smiled, and continued talking to me (still in Italian!) Finally, she stood up, and said, "arriverderci". That being one of the few words I DO know, I said "arriverderci" back to her. "Aah! Si Italiana! Si Italiana!" She pointed and chucked as she walked away.
The bus ride back was quiet, only three students (late HS/younge college -age appearing) were on the bus with me. Two got off before me. I came in, put my stuff down, and am now relaxing with a bottle of aqua naturale, my favorite drink here.
I've realized a shift in focus since being here; at home, I'm future-oriented (paper due next week, family obligations); here, I'm very much in the present. Perhaps it's because I don't have household responsibilities like back home, but it's been much easier to mentally step aside.
Ciao for now...