Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Ciao Italia!

*sigh*
I had this whole thing written yesterday and then my computer deleted it and I was too tired to fix it last night, so....
Let's try this again:
Left home at around 1:00 pm for Chicago.
Got there quickly, made it through security amazingly easily and headed for the terminal.
About 5 minutes before boarding the plane (Take off was at 6:49 pm)I struck up a conversation with this kid who was sitting next to me. I overheard him talking on the phone about a "shoot" he had yesterday, and he was looking at my "Commedia dell'Arte" book with great interest. Turns out, he's a theatre major at Columbia in Chicago.
We decided that we should try to sit next to each other on the plane, because we were finding out that we both knew some of the same people. (Small world). But sitting next to each other on the plane would require the people who would normally be sitting next to us, to switch.
Let me start out by saying that the woman next to me was Russian. (Thank you Allison).
She was probably 70 and didn't speak a word of English.
In fact, she said to me, "I don't speak English" to which I replied, "I don't speak Russian" to which she said, "Eh?" and shook her head and waved her arms about. It was clear that our relationship was going nowhere. Damn language barrier.
Not only this, but she was smelling and eating Garlic to help clear her sinuses during take off. GARLIC PEOPLE. GARLIC .It was clear that the Russian woman wanted two seats to herself, so we tried to switch things around so she could have her way and I could continue talking to "Columbia", but no such luck. Nobody could understand her - and the flight attendants are fluent in 5 different languages and they still couldn't get anything across to her.
So I'm sitting there reading and the flight attendant comes up to me with a mini bottle of wine. Apparently Columbia had bought me some, so I sent some back to him. Then the flight attendant took it upon herself to decide that he and I needed to sit together so she says to me, "After dinner, go to seat 22 J. You'll have a friend waiting for you." Well, 22 J = UPGRADE and NO GARLIC!! I was thrilled.
So, Columbia and I both get upgraded and then the flight attendant brings us complimentary champagne.
Free drinks. Upgraded seats. Good Company. Needless to say, the flight there wasn't so bad.
We arrive in Frankfurt at 10:05 am and there is a plane at our gate so we have to wait.
and wait.
and wait.
Finally at 10:55 I am walking into the Frankfurt airport - all the signs are in German obviously, but I found my way.
I managed to get through security and customs by 11:10 am (Don't ask me how) and as I'm walking to the Florence terminal, I hear the announcement for last boarding call.
So I literally JUST make it onto a shuttle that takes me to the plane. It still blows my mind that I got there on time. Oh mio dio.
Anyway, on the shuttle I met Sam who is a student at the Accademia here this semester. He's from San Franciso (Emily!!) and goes to school in Boston. Our flight to Florence was really easy and amusing. There was this macho man sitting in the row across from me. He was very large, very tall, and had gold "bling" around his neck - - he looked like he could totally kill me - - except for the fact that as he stood up in the aisle he was strapping on his fanny pack. I wish I could paint the picture better for you but it was hilarious.
Sam and I walk into the Florence baggage claim area and I joke that it would suck if our luggage didn't get there - - and sure enough mine didn't. Turns out it is still in Frankfurt. I filled out a bunch of forms and once I got to the Accademia they told me they knew about it before I did and that they'd been working on it all day. (So nice). Hopefully it will arrive today. *crossing my fingers*. If not, all the girls have said that I can borrow things :)

There are 9 dance students, 9 theatre students, and 12 grad students. Such a small program - way smaller than I thought it would be (Yay small class sizes). It already feels like one big family. My roomie Kadie is from Massachussetts and she goes to school in Conneticut. She's really nice and our room is adorable. We are all living in a Villa that was built in the 13th century. (!!!!) All the rooms are painted gorgeous Italian pastel colors. Very home-y. There is a balcony that overlooks all of Arezzo(which by the way is an awesome town...of what I've gathered so far) and when the sun sets apparently it's the place to be. I can't wait to do monologues from it - - can you imagine? Reciting Shakespeare to the hills of Tuscany? Can't get much better than that...

The rest of the day was spent (for others) unpacking and for me just relaxing and exploring the villa. We had a really great dinner. Kadie and I were exhausted so we went to bed pretty early.

Which leads me to where I am now - - - so Kadie and I both woke up about a half ago CONVINCED that it was like 6:30 7:00 in the morning. Nope. It was definitely 3:30 in the morning, and it is now about 4:15 am. AGH. I was so happy that I didn't have jet lag and I definitely do. My body is messed. up.

Anyway - who knows if I'll be able to get back to sleep. It's crazy though that all this talk of Italy has led to it actually happening. I can't even tell you how lucky and blessed I feel. The next three months are going to be pure heaven.

I'll upload pictures when I have some - I wish you all could see what I see. It's unreal.

Buona Sera!
Sogni d'oro.

4 comments:

  1. Glad you made it safe and sound. I'm looking forward to regular posts on your adventures. Love you!

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  2. Oh man, that sounds beautiful.

    I love how boys are already buying you wine before you even got to Italy...

    Miss you. Enjoy your first few days!

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  3. Haha, ditto Ahip.

    Sounds like you're in a cool place.

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  4. I. HATE. THE FRANKFURT AIRPORT.

    But! YAYYYYYYYYY!

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