Ciao Ciao!

Now that things are settling down, and we are all comfortable in our apartment, it’s time for us to buy food and other needed supplies. To get to the good market you have to take a bus, and let me just say… figuring out buses in America can be a challenge, so try doing it in Italy. Another thing that has been a struggle is the fact that all labels on food and drinks are in Italian. The other day I bought Danon yogurt thinking it was going to be the same as all the variety packs in the U.S. …. Wrong. Instead of an assortment of strawberry banana, blueberry, peach, etc; I got prune and melon flavored. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t know what the flavor says in Italian. Gross. In addition to that, everything here is miniature! Our refrigerator barely comes up to my shoulders, I’m going to have back problems from washing dishes at our tiny sink, and there is no such thing as jumbo size shampoo, conditioner, etc!

            I forgot to mention: When I introduce myself as “Casey Earl” to people who speak Italian, when they repeat it back to me, it sounds like Cazie Eel. Everyone here thinks it’s so funny that they can’t say “Earl” so I have taken to the nickname “Eel.” There are also two other “Caseys” on this trip, so I suppose it helps differentiate between us! Somehow, we all end up standing right next to one another when teachers ask our names, and they usually end up thinking it’s a joke when they hear Casey three times. One is blonde, one brunette, and I the red head; maybe we should start a new kind of Charlie’s Angels!

            Yesterday, when we were getting ready to go to class, there was a stray kitten in the street. It was so cute! When I got home from class, much to my surprise there was a kitten sleeping on our table! My roommates had taken it home, a lady brought it food, and they gave it a bath! We named it Gattino. However, since we knew someone would probably be looking for it, we took it back to where we found it. But at least we knew it was clean and had a full tummy!

            Also, yesterday I had my first painting class! My teacher speaks very little English; so, trying to understand what our assignments are is a bit of a struggle. I wasn’t expecting to do much artwork on the first day, but she had us draw our first impression of Macerata! When we were finished she critiqued them and we got our second assignment. I think I’m most excited for that class!

            One of my goals when coming here to Italy was to learn how to cook. My roommates and friend Kasey have been great, and are working on teaching me! Yesterday we made chicken, ham, and zucchini with potatoes! A few days ago I also had my very first salad in which I mixed fruit and vegetables together instead of my usual Caesar salad. Surprisingly, I really liked it, but established that I hate the taste of carrots and apples together.

            I’m having such a great time here and can’t believe that more than a week has already gone by! I’m really looking forward to this weekend; we are planning on venturing to a different city in Italy! (Maybe Venice!?)