(no subject)
Geeks, nerds, dorks, chess club members and engineers unite! Almost one week and counting and the middle school/jungle code of whose more popular than whom hasn't taken hold. Dorky kids mingle with popular kids. Sorority girls with so much foundation they look like rodeo clowns on crack eat next to kids with their shirts pressed and tucked in. It took us all seventeen years of public education, but we've finally learned to unite around one thing; no one for the life of themselves can speak to the locals.
We've got a girl, Michelle, who has three full years of classroom Italian... no luck. People in first semester Italian correct the grammar of the advanced Italian students after only three days of class. Finally, the failed American school system has served us well. Sure we may not have any skill, but if we're going to be talentless, we're in it together.
Today I went to Florence with a friend, Cocoa (Koko, Coco, no idea), and we walked around the downtown area looking at some of the stores. I've committed myself to buying few but quality souvenirs, so I want to be as familiar with all the little markets and districts of Florence before I drop a wad of Euros. Between the abominable exchange rate and my Scottish ancestors crying everytime I spend US$4.00 on some shaving cream, I'm going to have to be really good about money.
I didn't get anything, mostly because it was too much effort to make my way through the throngs of American Students. Apparently, most exchange programs don't start until this week. With my brief experiences on how not to look/act American in Italy, I can now spot another American from blocks away. Walking across Ponte Vecchio, there were more English speakers gawking at the overpriced gold than merchants and gypsies combined. In the last two days, 5,000 other Americans arrived, we're taking the city whole.
Tonight is Italian card night. I have 45 min. to read an introduction to fascism and then I think I might march around the courtyard with out bending my knees for some practice.
A domani,
jeff
We've got a girl, Michelle, who has three full years of classroom Italian... no luck. People in first semester Italian correct the grammar of the advanced Italian students after only three days of class. Finally, the failed American school system has served us well. Sure we may not have any skill, but if we're going to be talentless, we're in it together.
Today I went to Florence with a friend, Cocoa (Koko, Coco, no idea), and we walked around the downtown area looking at some of the stores. I've committed myself to buying few but quality souvenirs, so I want to be as familiar with all the little markets and districts of Florence before I drop a wad of Euros. Between the abominable exchange rate and my Scottish ancestors crying everytime I spend US$4.00 on some shaving cream, I'm going to have to be really good about money.
I didn't get anything, mostly because it was too much effort to make my way through the throngs of American Students. Apparently, most exchange programs don't start until this week. With my brief experiences on how not to look/act American in Italy, I can now spot another American from blocks away. Walking across Ponte Vecchio, there were more English speakers gawking at the overpriced gold than merchants and gypsies combined. In the last two days, 5,000 other Americans arrived, we're taking the city whole.
Tonight is Italian card night. I have 45 min. to read an introduction to fascism and then I think I might march around the courtyard with out bending my knees for some practice.
A domani,
jeff