Monday, January 12, 2009

Insights on Italy

Sorry to report that I still have yet to upload the few pictures that I've taken while we are here, but I'm hoping soon to get out into the town. I have to admit I'm a little nervous on venturing out into Vicenza just yet, since I'm still not orientated yet to it and I'm sans car, but I do promise that I'll get some pictures up soon. I've taken a few pics of the views from our current place of residence so I'll try to put those up next time I'm blogging.

Thankfully, we are able to stay in the room that the Ederle Inn gave us the first night we were here. At the time they said it would only be a one night thing, but since then they've informed us we are cleared to stay there at least until the first week of February. Since we have a pet, we are unable to stay in the main hotel and so they put us in the "Annex". It's a four story cluster of three buildings and our room is awesome. Actually, it's more like seven rooms, as we have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a kitchen and a large living room. I know it's never going to happen, but I wish the apartment we moved into here would look like that!

Ok..now onto my insights of Italy.

1. Jet lag sucks. I laid in bed for 3.5 hours last night trying to go to sleep. Yeah...it didn't work. Something has to be done about that.

2. The views of the mountains here are incredible. I hope wherever we live around here has a decent view of the mountains. I'd take a view of mountains over the beach anyday.

3. Carbonated water isn't tasty. I grabbed some by mistake the other day and was sorely disappointed when I realized what I'd done.

4. The PX here actually has *gasp* cute clothes! As in, I'd actually purchase and wear some of them. At the Ft.Polk PX that was unheard of. The only clothing items I bought there were workout shorts. Also, might I add they have cute lingerie and bras. Score!

5. I had the most delicious parmesean cheese the other day from the deli. Sean and I agreed it's the best cheese we've already had. If that's any sort of preview of the cheese I can find here, then I'm in for a real treat.

6. Food at the commissary is suprisingly cheaper then I thought it would be. I was expecting a huge jump in prices.

7. I'm totally lost with the Italian language. Obviously that needs to be remedied and quickly.

8. The Autostrada scares the crap out of me. People going 90 to 100 mph is frightening! When we were being shuttled from Aviano to Vicenza, I was convinced I was never going to make it to Vicenza in one piece!

9. Radiators in every room are something new to me. It's interesting...just different.

10. AFN public safety announcements are beyond hilarious. I'm sure in the three years that I'm here that I will get tired of them, but in the meantime I can't help but laugh whenever I watch them.

Well, I need to scoot, Sean will be done soon with his in-processing for today and afterwards we are supposed to go to housing and also go deal with some TriCare stuff. Should be a good time.

Have a wonderful day ladies!

24 comments:

Meg said...

Sounds like quite the adventure so far! I'm well jealous of your room, as I'm fairly certain it's nicer than my entire place!

Hope Vicenza goes well for you! And the Italian language is not as easy as you'd think ;) Good luck!

Allison said...

I used to hate sparkling water, but now I love it...since it's pretty much the only kind of water you will ever get if you ask for water at a restaurant around here :)

And yeah, AFN is ridiculous. The commercials are SO stupid. We haven't had AFN for over a year now - even sold our converter box...and I can't say I miss it one bit :)

Oh, and I have heard the autostrada is nuts. Well, that Italian drivers in general are nuts! That is def. one thing I appreciate about Germany..the drivers are excellent!

Lindsay Gray said...

I'm so glad you, Boomer and Sean all made it!

I have to admit I was worried about you while you were traveling! It was such a relief to see your comment in my inbox!

Take your time enjoying your new home and don't forget to get a nutella crepe for me. You will NOT regret it!

Barefoot Military Mommies said...

LMAO! What are the odds that i find you here? Im stationed here as well LOL. Glad to meet another army wife!

We are leaving in Feb. Hope you enjoy your time here, message me anytime if you need anything!

Melissa said...

Haha I get a kick out of the AFN public safety announcements too. I told my MIL this and she scolded me saying that some people really do need these...I'm still unconvinced...:-)

Glad to see you made it to Italy in one piece and are enjoying yourself!

Lindsey said...

Wow sounds so fun! I can't believe you're really there!! And so glad you made it safely!

Sarah said...

Hey, sounds like a wonderful place to be! I was wondering if you could give me info on what your dog (i think you have one...if im mistaken ignore me) needed to get done to go over. The vets on ft bliss are clueless....

Kpod said...

Sounds like things are going well so far. I love hearing about Italy...especially the food!

d.a.r. said...

Glad you made it!!!

Rebecca said...

I look forward to hearing all about Italy and seeing pictures!

LyndsAU said...

What an adventure you are having. Can't wait to hear more!!

Jenny said...

I made the same mistake with carbonated water myself one time. Not good.

Casey (@ Chaos and Cardboard) said...

I agree with Allison, the water does grow on you! Make sure you specify when going out to eat.

The AFN commercials go from funny, to cult like, to totally annoying. You are in stage one, it will change.

Driving 90 is fun, I promise!

The cheese, bread, pasta, and pastries here are stinking amazing. Oh yeah, and the wine! :)

Good idea with the crepe Lindsay! Nutella and banana crepes are my FAVORITE! I ate 10 in Paris alone!

Allison and I think too much alike...

Erin said...

Glad it is a positive experience so far! Can't wait for pics!

rebecca said...

I can't wait to hear all about the Italian language thing. Does the military offer classes or anything? Do most Italians speak English?

Soooo excited for your pics!

Unknown said...

gosh it sounds like such a great experience! maybe we should try to get stationed overseas. i think italy sounds better than japan though. japan sounds scary, although i've heard good things about it.

can't wait for pictures!

Brando said...

I LOVE AFN commercials! What's sad is that they are still playing some of the same ones from when I was in elementary school! I'd take AFN commercials over the crap we have to watch here!

The driving is super scary. Luckily I never had to drive over there, but venturing onto the highway with my parents was frightening! Just wait until you have to figure out which stoplights are optional or see someone back up on the highway to make an exit. And oh yeah, it's hilarious when you see a family of six crowded onto one moped! Yikes!

I'm so jealous! I can't wait to hear about your adventures and live vicariously through you!

When are you going to check out Venice since you're so close?

Tania said...

OOOooo....I would love it there! Ninety to 100 mph sounds right up my alley! And the food? Have fun discovering all of it!

Jrzy Army Wife said...

wow.. where have I been. I had no idea you were in Italy,LOL.

Unknown said...

I love reading all of your updates! Keep them coming!

Anonymous said...

Yeah when we got here they put us up in the hotel mary aka 'scary mary'! Be sure to stop by the USO and say hi! I close tues and thurs nights (from 1500-2200)

Mary Teresa said...

Welcome to USAREUR! I'm in Germany. I'd recommend sneaking into your husbands AKO and borrowing the Rosetta stone language software. ;) It helps a ton.

Barefoot Military Mommies said...

the fact that you think we have cute clothes here is hillarious LOL, but i have to admit after almost 4 yrs they have gotten wayyy better lol.

And AFN blows lol. you will DEF get tired of it lol.

by the way our movies, magazines, and shows are one month behind america.

Kate said...

Thanks for the update. Can't wait to see photos!