Oh the life

So let's see.

Yesterday I went to class. Came home and fell asleep for a couple of hours. Then I went out with Alessia to her friend's place where we ate couscous and they complained about the government. I mean, it's Italy for peep's sake.

Today I woke up, went to class. Tomorrow is the last day of the "intensive" Italian course. Which has basically been me chatting with my professor, watching movies, listening to songs. We did grammar every once in awhile but basically, I know it. There are the quirks but in general, I'm on it like white on rice.

I came home and fell asleep. And now I've been working on my written part of my test tomorrow. I finished that and now I'm going to go back to sleep.

I really wish I could post pictures on here. Basically I'm on the Internet on windows on my computer, but I have a Mac. I can't use the Internet on Mac, it just doesn't work with this system I'm using, for some reason. And to put pictures on my computer, I need to use Mac. So I'd have to put them on Mac and e-mail them to myself but...I can't. Dilemma.

Tomorrow I'm going to a free concert. And then Saturday I'm going to Scalea (Alessia's hometown). So you won't hear from me for awhile!

Arrivederci!

Kevin

*side note*

Today I was walking home and there was a group of 15, 16 year olds surrounding a motorized scooter. The oldest of them said to me,

"weee, guaglion!"

to which i responded

"ch' vuo'?"

and he said, in surprise,

"volevo prenderti in giro, ho pensato che non parlassi o' nnapulitan'"

to which i angrily responded

"fatti cazzi tuoi, t' sfong e rin'"

and he laughed so hard he fell off his scooter.

translation:

hey dude

what do you want?

i wanted to make fun of you, i thought you didn't speak the neapolitan dilaect

mind your own fucking business, i'll kick your ass.

yeah.

don't mess.

It never ends

Howdy ho, everybody -

There's not too much to report with what's been going on, actually. Just the usual social commentary and the witherings and doings of my day.

Monday I went to class. Then we went to a pizzeria (we being Alessia and a lot of her friends) then she went out and I stayed home.

Tuesday I went to class. Then I waited around for Serena for awhile then I came home. Eugenio came over and we ate. Alessia went out and I stayed home.

Today is a brutal day for me. I woke up sad and it still hasn't gone away. I know the reason why but I'm ignoring it.

I'm actually feeling a little homesick, but not for the reasons you'd think (which makes me a bastard, but I'm ok with that). I miss the dependibility of America, you know? Here it's always chaotic and...I don't know how to describe it. But it's trying, to say the least.

And I've come to find out the same exact problems I had in the States are still here. Vabbe.*

But I did realize something - I haven't had gelato since I've been here. I've had like 6 or 7 pizzas, haha. I've also lost some weight, which is uplifiting.

I booked a ticket for Milan, October 22-24. Yesssss.

Friday's almost here.

I really wish I could update this more

So I have good news and bad news for you.

I now, officially, have the Internet.

Bad news?

I can't post any pictures! It's a long story, just trust me on this one.

I don't really remember where we last left off but...

Some highlights:

Friday! haha

It was Eugenio's mom's birthday and I wanted to get her something nice because, well, she's done a lot for me. And I like her a lot. While I was walking home I stopped by a random store full of silver knick knacks and I started talking to the woman. Turns out she was Brazilian! I spoke to her in my pitiful Portuguese and she suggested I buy a frame (Angela had just bought a new house) and she gave me a discount of 20 euro just because I talked to her for awhile.

We went out. I ate fried pizza. Good God. I thought I was going to LOSE weight walking so much but I feel like it's going to be the opposite...

Eugenio, Alessia and I went to Napoli sottoterranea (Naples undergound). There's the undergound city of Naples back from the Greek/Roman times that they used during WWII because Naples was the most bombed Italian city. There were some passways that were so tight and claustorphobic I was afraid to get stuck!

Then I went out with Annarita and Rita. We walked around downtown Naples and went to a bar where they taught me a bunch of Neapolitan cursewords, which was a riot for them.

Today the museum's were free and open so we went to one of the world's top Archeological museums in the world to watch a Japanese dancing exhibition. Then we saw some statues and walked round. And now I've been cleaning, doing homework. I called home...which is something I've been meaning.wanting to do for awhile.

This weekend I'm going to Alessia's hometown to see another area. And I want to go to Milan to visit Katie. And Venice to visit Rose. And Sicily. And Germany to visit Kelly. And England/Ireland to visit Sara. And France to visit Melanie...I have to cut some of these out...And I need to take more pictures :-/

Whoops.

I hate not having the Internet. With that sad, here's what I've been up to:

Buon pomeriggio,

Well, hi. I’m sure I remember writing this thing some time ago. But unfortunately things have turned out to be pazze* and I haven’t had anytime to update. So the last time I left you was on Friday, giusto*? Well, today is Tuesday. So here is what I have been up to:

Saturday I woke up early to meet Eugenio. We went to his house and picked up his mom (who came in from Venafro) and took her to the jewelry store, which was nice. Then we ate lunch at his sister’s house (tiny macaroni shells with potatoes) and looked for an Internet company. I had finally gotten a hold of a cellphone from Eugenio’s mom, which made things a lot easier on me. Basically how it works in Italy is that you can get the Internet using your cellphone card to connect and you can pay for the service. We tried going to Wind (which is my cell phone company) but it was closed. So he brought me to Montesanto (where I live). Alessia and I were walking to the metro station where we were to meet Serena when a kid about 17, 18 ran up to a woman of about 50 years and tried to grab her necklace, causing her to fall. But he didn’t get it and she was alright – but Alessia was pretty shaken up. We then rode the funicolare* up to Vomero and then took the metro to Piazza Dante and then back to Montesanto (so I could see how the system works).

Then Eugenio came and picked me up and we went to Annarita’s house. I really missed her – I also go to see Rino, his friend, Cristina (Annarita’s sister) and Salvatore (Cri’s husband). We ended up driving around for awhile and went to Salerno and had pizza but I ate a calzone. This thing was bigger than my head! I managed to eat it. By this time I was pretty tired, after a long week and traveling and the time change (it was about 1am) but the others wanted to stay out, I ended up falling asleep while we were talking. We got back about 4am to Eugenio’s house.

On Sunday we went to Angela’s (Eugenio’s mom) house in Venafro, which is right about an hour by car. It’s such a beautiful area and they have such a wonderful house. We ate sooo much. I ate mozzarella cheese balls covered in cream, ham with ricotta rolled up inside, sautéed chicken, pasta al ragù, gateau (which is a potato, cheese, ham slice of heaven!) and then babá which is a Neapolitan donut type thing. Then we ended up going back to my place then I went out with Alessia and her friend, Michela.

So here we are to Monday! My first day! I woke up but was exhausted. It takes about a half hour, 35 minutes to get to my university from where I live by foot, so I woke up at 8 but got out by 8:30…and I had class at 9. So I rush and managed to get to building by 9 but the elevator is so busy and chaotic there that I ended up waiting for 10 minutes for it to arrive. I met my professor I will have just for the next 10 days, Guia.

We basically worked on my pronunciation, stress, fluency, comprehension and listening skills. That took four hours and it was exhausting. On my way back to home, I was walking with my iPod in my backpack and the headphone (I only had one in my ear) trailing out. Halfway home someone runs up, tries to pull off my backpack and decides instead to open it so everything falls to the ground. I talked to a couple of people about it and they said it was just some idiot being and idiot – he wasn’t trying to rob me (seeing as it was 3pm and in a crowded piazza). So now I walk with my laptop back instead of laptop. Live and learn.

I came home and some friends of Alessia came over, Carmen, Michela and two others (unfortunately I don’t remember their names). We had fun, sitting around talking and cooking eggplant and penne. I ate something called a bombeletta di cioccolato which was a wonderful concoction of donut and chocolate. Then Eugenio came over and we went looking for Wind with Alessia, but it was closed. So we did some grocery shopping, came back and I fried chicken nuggets and French fries while watching one of my favorite shows, Le iene (The Hyenas) and basically they are sort of Fox Fix It Line and they chase down people who have done bad things or they report about how backwards Italy is, it’s funny and I understand it. Ci piace!*

Then I woke up this morning and went to class. Guia and I talked about the article I read for homework then we fought with the computer for a listening exercises but it didn’t want to work. So I watched a couple of interviews with the writer of Gomorra, which is a book that puts the spotlight on the “mafia” in Naples. They put a hit out on him so he rarely does interviews, always put in a safehouse. By this time I was dozing off because they were talking so fast and it was dark and I was tired. Then I came home and Alessia and I cooked lunch and I did laundry.

This has been an experience let me tell you! First they don’t use dryers. They have a tiny washer that runs for about 2 hours, then you hang your clothes outside, which was a horrifying experience for me because I was so nervous to drop something. BUT. I did succeed in doing it, by myself. I did take pictures. When I have the Internet (which I desperately hope is for tonight), I’ll post some pictures. Sorry that I haven’t had any time/access to the Internet to update!

Ci vediamo in questi giorni,

Kevin

*crazy, right?, cable car, we like it!

(later on)

Hola,

Ok. So Eugenio couldn’t find a parking space and ended up just stopping and I got into his car. We went to the Wind store and the guy was really friendly. And to get the deal for my phone I needed a new number so he gave me a new SIM card and I bought another one for the Internet, which is unlimited access for 20 euros, split between me and Alessia, so ten euros. We came back and Alessia had skipped town to Salerno for the night so I was left to try and cook something. I ended up throwing some pasta, ham, lots of provolone and hot dog into a pot. It was alright, it was missing some panna* which made it sort of…blah. We ended up watching X-Factor (type of American Idol) and then going to sleep. I woke up and was getting ready for the day and I saw the clock and I was running behind. I got to L’Orientale and Guia and I watched some more of those interviews. Then we talked about the camorra and then she made me write and edited it. Then we talked some more. I went up to Serena’s office and I had access to the Internet! Hallelujah! But…it was like 6, 7am where you guys are so no one was online. Then I went to meet one of my other professors and he was ready to start teaching today…

Serena had to explain to him that classes didn’t start today. But he gave me the books anyway. Then Serena and I walked around Naples for awhile, I came back, grabbed a few groceries for dinner tonight, put away my laundry and mo* I’ll start my homework. I don’t have the Internet or a new number because I left the SIM cards in Eugenio’s car and I’m not going to see him tonight, he has things he needs to do.

Ok, I’m off to homework!

A un domani,

Kevin

*cream, *right now (in Neapolitan)

p.s.

STILL NO INTERNET. Humbug.

Giovedì

We we,

Today was another hectic, Italian day. I really feel like this is going to be my experience with Italy – last minute plan changes and lack of communication. But it’s fine, Costa Rica prepared me for this. I woke up, caught an open network and was on it for about 15 minutes and then was kicked off…again. Then I headed out the door on my own little adventure. I kept telling myself, “destra alla Cumana, sinistra alla Piazza San Domenico”* which is the longest path but also the most straight forward one there is to my university. I sat around and read for a few minutes, waiting for Serena to show up. We walked over to the port to a post office but they were closed, so we took a taxi to another post office, sent off the permesso di soggiorno. And headed back to L’Orientale.

Which was sort of a waste. I learned one, maybe two things. She warned me about local culture, money, classes, stuff I had already figured out. While she was filling me in on the train/tram/bus system I was nodding off – unfortunately I slept poorly the night before because of the noises on the street. But just like in Costa Rica, I’ll get used to it. Then after that Eugenio called and he picked me up. We went shopping for a few things, his best friend Luca showed up to get something for his brother’s birthday. Then we went and got a coffee (I have been crabby all day due to exhaustion). Then we went to Eugenio’s sister’s house and ate dinner and then he dropped me off. And here I am.

I talked to Alessia for a little bit. Apparently I made a brutta figura* because no one had shown me how you leave the courtyard – I tried to just open it but that didn’t work, I saw a keyhole and put my key in and out I went. There was a women there on her phone and apparently she tried to warn me but I thought she was talking on the phone. So that was…perfect? Yeah, ok. But tomorrow will be nice, I get to see Annarita and I don’t have orientation – I have weekends off. Now it’s midnight and I need some sleep!

Baci,

Kevin Regan

*right at Cumana (a train station), left at the Piazza San Domenico, bad impression

La vita napoletana

Bondì!

Ok, so..wow. A lot has happened. This is going to be a long post – let me warn you. This is the first time I’ve had a chance to update. It’s actually about 7am right now. I woke up with a mal di pancia* and because of the time change I can’t go back to sleep. Comunque*! After we last spoke, I made it to Brussels and had the most torturous 5 hour wait in my life! Luckily on my plane to Brussels I met a women, Nancy, who was also going to Naples to visit her daughter who had just had a baby on the Navy base here. We walked around the airport, exchanged money and that lasted for about…two hours. Then we just kind of sat there and tried not to fall asleep.

Then my plane to Naples kept on being delayed and kept on being delayed by ten minutes and by the end I got into Naples almost 40 minutes later than expected. Then we got off the plane and took a bus to the arrivals area and waited for our luggage. For those of you who already know, you know I have HORRIBLE luck with receiving my luggage when I travel internationally. Well…I ended up waiting for almost TWO hours for my bag but luckily, it did come. I was ready to dare uno schiaffo* to some Neapolitan men who kept on cutting me off to see the incoming baggage.

Then I came out and saw Serena which was such a nice pleasure. We grabbed a taxi and headed to my place, about a 20 minute ride. Then we got to my place. Oh. My. Gosh. I am going to upload pictures as soon as possible but believe you me, it is more than I expected. It’s simply divine and simply, Neapolitan. Walking up to my apartment I heard people shouting in Neapolitan, “We we, me ch’ vuo’ fa’ staser’?”* and “Te rap’ a’ capp’ sce’!”*. I met Alessia, which was a bit comical because I’ve come to learn that most Italians, when they first met, shake hands. But then afterwards, when they’re ready to go, they kiss each other’s cheek. Well, Alessia was expecting to kiss me on the cheek and I was expecting to shake hands, we ended up colliding and laughing. I surprised her with how well I spoke Italian. I dearly love my apartment and she’s a lovely girl. The area is full of kind hearted and quite nosy Italians – which I’m perfectly OK with!!!

I ended up unpacking halfway and then Alessia made dinner (penne with le zucchini and prosciutto) when Eugenio arrived. He and I then finished unpacking everything and he left and I happily (and tiredly, because I didn’t sleep at all on the flights) went to sleep.

This morning I woke up, took a shower and Alessia and I walked to my orientation (also where I will talk classes, al Palazzo Mediterraneo dell’Orientale). I had already been there before with Serena so I was a LITTLE familiar with the surroundings, which is comforting. We got there, I met my Architecture professor – she’s studied with some famous people at some famous universities and spoke English 100% perfectly (although with a British accent!). She seemed wonderful, I’m actually excited for the class. Then I met some administrators and for the rest of the morning we talked about CIEE, what they’re about, what I’m to expect, how to handle emergencies etc. etc. But tomorrow (or I should say today, seeing how early it is) we’re going to cover academics and things. Anyway, then we had lunch with a bunch of Serena’s students (who all spoke English). And it happened, again.

Everytime I’m with a large group of Italians who don’t know me, they’re ALL sooo nervous to talk to me, especially if they speak/study English. They feel that I might not speak Italian very well or that I might judge them for their English. So it takes them a minute to warm up to me, so I always put forth an effort to be charming in Italian. Usually after the second time of meeting me, they’re ready to be friends haha. But we ate at La figlia del presidente, which there is a famous pizzeria that’s named the president and so to start a chain they have the president’s daughter and the president’s son. And then we went back to L’Orientale and ate a ciambella* that a girl named Assia had made. It was a lot of fun because I got to talking linguistics with a boy named Gateano and then I spoke in Portuguese with another boy named Jon (I think). Then we went back to Orientation and we finished early, much to the surprise to Serena. We went up to the CIEE office and filled out a permesso di soggiorno which, in Italy, after you get your visa you have to stop by a police station but before you do you need to send in a request to be summoned by the police station to sort of say, “Hey, I’m here in Italy with a visa so in case if you arrest me or something, I won’t have illegal status!”. This morning Serena and I are going to drop that off by the post office. Then I came back to the apartment (it takes right about 25 minutes walking) and then Eugenio came over. Alessia ended up going out and he and I cooked spaghetti with olio (that was flavored with garlic). Eugenio ended up leaving and Serena had called him with some bad news – she wasn’t going to swing by to pick me up and Alessia has something to do.

So I’m on my own this morning to find il Palazzo Mediterraneo by myself! But I remember the street fairly well and it’s not too difficult to get to, it’s just a map is kind of useless because street names aren’t written, they’re just sort of known by Neapolitans haha. It’ll be interesting.

But before going to bed last night I was looking for an open network and managed to find it. I was online for oh…about ten minutes before they figured out that I was connected and put a password on it, haha. So this weekend I need to get one of those wireless flash drives, a cellphone (which I’ve come to find out is essential), a bigger converter for my laptop and some groceries.

But anyway. Now that I’ve written a lot, I should probably get off of here. I’ll try to post these (what I’m doing is writing them in a Word document and saving them) the next chance I get. I feel sort of disconnected from my home world right now, which I suppose is a good thing but also a bad thing. Anyway. Pictures to come!

Ciao cari miei,

Kevin

*stomache, anyway!, to slap/hit, dude, what do you want to do tonight?, I’m going to kick your ass, idiot!, a donut/cake dessert

Traveling...ugh

Ciao a tutti,

So I want you to appreciate this moment – I am super dedicated. As of this moment I am on my flight from Philadelphia to Brussels and I am blogging. Dedication? I like to think so.

I really wish that I never have to meet four o’clock in the morning ever again. That’s what I said when I rolled out of bed this morning. – to which I forgot as I hurriedly threw everything where it belonged and ran out the door and to my demise it was raining outside. I got to the airport and while checking in and I almost passed out – quite literally – because I realized I couldn’t find my passport. Then Mom came up and showed me where it was.

Then we had a teary parting. I waited for my flight – went to Philadelphia with no problem. But then I had the daunting task to pass 8 hours in the airport…I didn’t fare too well. And I must say, what the heck American dollar? You’re sucking real bad for me.

I’ve met a ot of interesting people, like I always do. I’ve spent about half the flight (right under 7 hours) gabbing with a woman from Belgium but has Spanish parents. I don’t have to much to update on.

I just don’t know what to expect from Italy. I don’t know what to expect. I don’t feel apprehensive or nervous. Just sort of…holding my breath before the plunge, I suppose. I’m supposed to be living with a girl named Alessia. It should be interesting. I get into Naples about 4pm and then I’m going to my apartment (I will post pictures as soon as I can) then the next day is sort of orientation. Apparently classes don’t start until October but language training and orientating myself to the city goes into full effect.

So, sorry if this was kind of a boring post, I don’t have too much to update. The next one will be pictureful, I promise (that ism if I have the Internet…)

Ci sentiamo domani,

Kevin

The night before leaving

So today was a day for reckoning, according to yours truly. And I leave for Italy tomorrow. Naples. Gosh.

It started off poorly, waking up late and running over to my grandparents. And then coming back having my computer fixed then finishing up last minute details, then making said computer crash, then having repair man return, then tacos and Becky and packing. And now I'm tying up more loose ends.

Generally a blog is like New Year's for me - I don't ever keep up with it. But I'm really really going to try this time. I really want to.

Packing my bags was a little stressful, actually. I never had that problem before, with weight. But now everything's squared away. I'm about to go to bed (I wake up in four hours).

I'm headed to Philadelphia from Kansas City then to Brussels (in Belgium for those of you who don't know) then to Naples - where I will find my new digs with my room mate, Alessia. So with this first post, I bid Kansas City a goodnight and a good morning to Philadelphia.

Ci vediamo,
Kevin