Beginning of Year Three

Today marks the beginning of our third year of living in Italy.

To be honest I can't believe we've already lived here two years. It seems like only yesterday that I was living in Louisiana, looking forward to moving across the ocean and starting a new chapter in my life.

I'm not sure that I've mentioned this much on my blog, but the first month or so I was in Italy I was homesick beyond belief and I was in culture shock. The first night we were here was the worst. After flying for over 24 hours and then driving along the Autostrada at a ridiculous speed, looking at all these signs in a language that I didn't speak. I felt completely overwhelmed, almost to the point of a panic. I felt so bad that I felt that way because I had so looked forward to moving here and had prepared (somewhat) to be living in a foreign country. Gradually though I got my groove back and felt more comfortable in my new home.

If you asked me today, I'd tell you I love Italy. I love Europe and would probably make this my home if my friends and family weren't living back in the States. I miss them a ton and I hate missing out on things like seeing my best friends and watching their children grow up. I miss my family terribly. Christmas away from them was very hard and I hope not to repeat that again.

However, I've had so many good experiences living here. I've seen places I never though I'd see until much later in my life. I've been to 9 different countries since I've been here and I'd love to see 9 more before we leave. I feel like living in Europe has had an impact on me. I appreciate things in a different way than I did before. I've also grown to love wine and will miss the wonderful (and cheap) selection once we move from here.

I'm not sure how much more time we have here in Italy. If I had to guess I'd say we're here for one more year, but with Sean's upcoming surgery, I'm not sure how that will play out. We are thinking he'll switch over to the WTU unit here to heal after his surgery and I'm not sure how long that will take. We're also looking at a medical reclass sometime in the near future and so where our journey goes from here I have no idea.

My goal this year is to enjoy Italy and Europe to the fullest. I plan on going to festivals around here that I've yet to go to, build up my wine collection, eat food I've yet to sample and see sights that I've yet to see.

Here's to a great and (possibly last) year in Italy!

Insights on Italy: Part 3

I'm still trying to get my pictures up from Verona. I tried to yesterday at the USO, but my computer wasn't getting a good signal...sooooo I'll have to try again today.

In the meantime I thought I'd share some more insights on Italy.

1. Loose wine is fantastic and one of my favorite things about Italy. Basically you go to a wine shop that has loose wine, you either buy a bottle or you bring your own and then fill it up with your fave wine. Sean and I bought a two liter bottle AND filled it up for less than 5 euro. You have no idea how much I'm enjoying this wine!

2. I love watching the Italians stroll. The mothers and daughters stroll arm in arm, as do female friends. The old men stroll with their arms behind their backs wearing cute old man hats.

3. Parking is a pain. I don't know how people who brought over large trucks or things like Hummers expect to find a parking space. I have trouble parking my Chevy Cobalt and that's considered a smaller car!

4.The fresh markets are the best. Although the smell of fish is offputting, who doesn't love the fact you can find a fresh fish market on almost every street?

5.The window displays here could be an art form. I love the way they do displays, so creative and eye-catching.

6. From what I gather, when a family has a baby they decorate the outside of the house and gate with appropriate colored ribbons. Blue for boys and pink for girls.

7. Fur is everywhere here! PETA would have a field day over here. Seriously when walking every fourth person has some sort of fur on. I told Sean before I leave here I need a fur coat even if it's faux.

8. We went to the Olympic Theater the other day in Vicenza and it was amazing! One of my favorite things I've seen so far. If you're ever in Vicenza, you must check it out. It has forced perspective inside the theater which makes it very interesting to look at. Ask them if they'll do the light show for you too. Our group got to see it the other day and it was the best part of our day.

9. Italian hot chocolate is not to be missed! I had some the other day and I'll never go back to my Swiss Miss. It's seriously like liquid creamy chocolate with a thick chocolate skin on top. Amazing!

10. I will NEVER get used to squatter toilets. I think that's the only thing so far I truly dislike about Europe.

Ciao!

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!