Housing
We went to view the three bedroom apartment the goverment was offering us yesterday. It was a great layout, three bedrooms, nice kitchen, even a extra closet.
However, we turned it down. There were a couple of things we just couldn't get over, even though we like the layout.
1. It was about a quarter of a mile from the Autostrada. I didn't want to deal with the noise coming off that.
2. The first floor apartment facing the walkway has two dogs. One is quiet the other is the most obnoxious and loud Beagle I've ever seen in my life. He would NOT shut up. I love dogs, but I can't put up with a dog that loud
3. From the look of others balconies, the people who lived there were pretty trashy. I'm talking trash and beer bottles everywhere. No thank you.
So, Sean and I have booked a couple of private rentals to go see tomorrow.
The first is a pink house, it reminds me of a Mexican restaurant back in Oklahoma called Casa Bonita. It is actually a house instead of an apartment and we both like the look of it.
The second is a red exterior apartment that is fairly new.
I think we'll be deciding on one or the other tomorrow. We have to kind of push the housing along because Sean is taking a class starting Monday that will last for an entire month.
Language
I actually uddered an Italian word other than Ciao the other day. I said Buon Giorno and mi scusi to our maintenance man the other day. That may seem like very little, but to me it was a lot. I'm terrified of sounding like an idiot when it comes to foreign language. Yes I know that's something I need to get over and quickly.
Food
Sean and I went back to eat at the cafe on post yesterday and I actually didn't offend anyone. I ate my entire portion of caprese, which is a tomato and mozzarella salad cut into layers with salt, pepper and olive oil for taste. It's delicious!
As for all the questions about Moscato, I don't know how much it would be in the States, but according to other girls you should be able to find it. The award-winning version that I buy here is only about $10.00. (Can you believe that?) I may have a giveaway soon and include a bottle of it.
I tried some Ritter chocolate the other day, they sell about 20 varities of it here on-post. So far I've just tried the chocolate mousse. Good, but nothing to write home about. Obviously I need to investigate the chocolate further.
Random Tidbits
The sun is finally shining here today. I've never been so glad to see the sun in my life. All the haze and clouds were getting a little depressing.
Oh..Sean and I were updating our ID's yesterday and the woman doing it for us told Sean to put his index finger on the glass so she could read it. He puts his ring finger on there! I laughed so hard and the lady thought it was funny too. Did I marry a goober or what?
Oh it sounds like you are having a lovely time!
ReplyDeleteI am tres jealous!
Totally take your time with finding a place to live. We didn't and now we are stuck with noisy dog downstairs as well as loud playing music. And we have two young children above us that sound like a stampede of wild elephants! I absolutely LOVE children and animals both..... but it's going to take some getting used to ;)
ReplyDeleteItaly must be amazing, I am definitely jealous.
I'm sure there will be pleeenty of posts about the horrendous summer when it finally arrives. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteThe thought of living overseas totally intimidates me. I'm sorta glad you're going through it so I can read all about it just in case we get those orders someday. The food scares me cause I'm a picky eater and the language scares me cause, well, I only speak English. You seem much more adventurous than me, tho, so I know you'll have a fab time.
I don't know much about Italian chocolate, but if you look just plain chocolate, Milka bars are amazing! I practically lived on them when I lived in Paris! And as for the language barrier, do you need to know more than "vorrei una birra" just kidding :) In bocca al lupo!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you made a good decision about the apartment you looked at. I hope the little pink house works out for you, it sounds adorable. It kind of sounds similar to the style of houses that we see here in Arizona a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of living "in" a Mexican restaurant in Italy tickles me. :) It sounds like everything out there is so colorful!
ReplyDeleteHooray for the sun! :-)
ReplyDeleteI stll can't believe you are all the way over in Italy now. It sounds like fun though! Also, the caprese sounds so delicious! I can't wait to see which place you pick, good luck :)
ReplyDeleteHope you find the perfect house. Good call on not going for the government housing, it sounds. I found moscato in the class 6 here, and it was pretty good, but it was a cali wine. The best advice I got when I entered into the study abroad was "get used to feeling like a jackass". You will make mistakes, and it will happen frequently when you learn more. But the awesome thing is that all of us make mistakes when we learn and some of them are really funny. Like me telling my host father I was going to hit him instead of pay him... a lot. Or accidentally saying something sexual to a bus driver, loudly, and having everyone on the bus hear. Yep. Good times. You'll do fine. I def. understand being embarassed to talk.
ReplyDeleteI would be afraid of sounding silly too! Sounds like you guys are adjusting pretty well though! I'm super jealous...I mean how many of us will ever get the chance to utter the words, "I lived in Italy!"
ReplyDeleteOh you sound like you are having a blast!! I can't wait to hear about the house you guys pick. I am pulling for the Mexican Restaurant house :)
ReplyDeleteYou guys are going to have a wonderful time I envy you getting to eat all that wonderful italian food just relax you will be speaking italian before you know it and most countries love Americans....Barb (PS Ritter has alot of options on chocolate try them all I buy them at the Little Rock Airbase yum)
ReplyDeleteGood call on the government house. They do tend to get trashed easy. And, if you hate the dog, you can't exactly yell at the people. Off post- yell away! :)
ReplyDeleteSad to say but you can't mail wine (or any alcohol) back unless you use the Italian post. People can mail it from the states to the APO, but not the other way around. How dumb is that? I tried writing olive oil and shampoo on the customs form, but got busted. Booo!
Good luck with the house hunt! Don't worry about the pink, ours is bright blue! Here in Germany the tax is higher based on curb appeal, so they paint them crazy colors on purpose. Funny huh?
Oh, and way to go with the Italian! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous, it sounds amazing! I can't wait to hear more about the housing, the pink house sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteI think you've been forgetting the most important detail in choosing your house, if there will be room for ME when I come move in! haha
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Casa Bonita, I'm thinking some All You Can Eat cheese enchiladas are sounding pretty tasty.
I love love love your updates so keep them coming!
It sounds like things are going well for you. I'm glad to hear it. By the way, you might want to update your sidebar link for my blog; I'm no longer at Emily's Craziness.
ReplyDeletei think i will be bitterly jealous if you have a giveaway for that wine and i don't win. :) :) i guess i'll have to look for some around here...... :) :)
ReplyDeleteitaly sounds amazing. you're my hero, moving overseas and keeping so calm and together! i'd be having a panic attack every day, i think. maybe not, but just thinking about moving anywhere "overseas" sounds terrifying. i've only ever been to canada and carribean cruise destinations. and it was all i could do to pack my suitcase for those :) :)
i hope you guys get the right house! (that in the end you are happy with your decision)
Muscato is one of my favorite wines- and yes you can find it in many places in the states. Most Wal-Marts sell a cheap version of it, but you can find nicer version for under $15 at most wine places.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Ritt- you must try the dark chocolate with hazlenuts. That's my favorite. And have you tried Kinder Eggs yet? Please eat some for me and enjoy the fun treats inside!
And yay for living off base. If I ever went back overseas that's the only way I'd go! You get to experience so much more that way.
I'm so excited for you!
Good call on the apt! It sounds like you're having a good time in Italia! You'll get the language soon enough...don't worry and practice A LOT! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. Glad to hear you are adjusting ok :)
ReplyDelete