I am here safe and sound in Rome. I will be writing in the details of my journal later this week. I did not bring it today as I did not know if I would be able to find this internet cafe. Using my Spanish to get across my needs and wants has been interesting, tiring my brain, and quite humorous. The languages are similar, but not so similar to make for easy conversation. Yet, I found food, water, and internet. Not too bad!
Here I am with the journal in hand. Here it comes...
DAY ONE
Wow! I am in Rome...incredible. I am out of my comfort zone which is to be expected. I am 4285 miles from New York- which adding travel from Omaha puts me extremely far from home. I am in awe that sola I made this journey. Thank you, Lord, for carrying me safely from one side of the world to the next. Upon arrival the sounds of cars buzzing about, smoke, and heat alerted my senses to their new surroundings. Thankful for a crowd of fellow travlers exiting my flight, I was able to try blending in with American families. I followed them to the passport center, the baggage claim and the last exit. At the passport center I was greeted by an older gentleman who immediately addressed me in Italian. I tested my plan to use Spanish, a romance language, and it worked marvelously. He asked where I was headed and "perqua" (spelling?). I said I was arriving to teach on the coast in Monopoli to give English classes. I was relieved by his delight and positive response to my words as I was wondering whether or not he understood me. As one exits baggage claims, you are met by a large crowd. They are all awaiting the arrival of a friend, family member or sucker who will pay big bucks for a cab. I felt just like I did when I arrived in Guatemala for the first time. My stomach is a bit nervous as I pray internally. My hands cling tightly to my possessions and I try to look "natural." My eyes dart from right to left searching for someone I have never met...hopefully they are carrying a sign. Thankfully, unlike the Guate experience, this time Tony was waiting front and center with a large sign with "Piper Marsh" plastered across it. My contact in Rome had arranged for him to pick me up and all went beautifully. As we drove I saw many places I would like to visit...I tried to keep track to be able to walk there. Yeah, not going to happen. After about a million twists and turns we pulled up to the apartment of Jane. We drove around for like 10 minutes trying to find a parking stall and three keys entries later, we were in the apartment. For nearly $2000 a month one can rent a simple, yet cute apartment. I cannot believe how much these apts go for here!!! It is like New York. Since Jane was in China on business, Tony showed me around. I found myself standing alone in this apartment in the middle of whoknowswhere with this seemingly kind man...but I do not know him. Again, wow!!! My world is far different than it was 24 hours ago. Amazing how quickly we can access a complete change of environment. Tony showed me around, how to work the bath tub, and then lingered asking me about odds and ends... I did not know if he lingered for a tip or because he genuinely wanted to help me out. One of those cultural moments when you wish you could google an answer. I paid him the straight 50 he requested and he was on his way.
Now that Tony is gone, I am left to my own common sense. I need food, water, and internet. I am in a concrete jungle and must serve as personal caretaker. I am up for the job. Look, as I type these words, I obviously found an internet cafe. Whoo hoo!!! The food and water was also successfully taken care of. Great!!!
Amy, the American roommate of Jane, came home. We went out for wine and a salad. She lives in Northern Italy with her Danish hubby. But, she got a job with the United Nations with Jane and has to commute. Her work week is spent in Rome. Her weekend is spent with hubby and sons back north. Very interesting woman. She has been here on and off in Italy for many, many years. Fascinating!!
DAY TWO
Hardly slept a wink...loud mopeds, ambulances, more mopeds, new bed, hot weather...haha! Further the list of to-dos is growing in my mind. It weighs on my mind because I do not know the social norms nor the language. Now I know how an immigrant must feel on a daily basis in America if he or she lacks basic English skills. Even a basic task like getting on the bus seems a little scary...exciting, but scary. Do I flag them down? Do I need a bus pass? Do I pay right when I get on? Where does this bus end up (I am directionally challenged)? I have Tonys number just in case I get stuck. I will just call for help. I know I can do this...I just need to make it to the train station and buy my ticket to my job on the coast. For some reason the train company only sent me the return ticket to Rome. They never responded with why...whatever. I am going with the flow. This is todays goal: buy a ticket (p.s. I know I need an apostrophe and cant find it on this keyboard...haha).
Well I met my goal! I took the bus to the terminal. I fumbled around the train station, but all went well. I think many people here speak English, but for some reason I feel like since Spanish is a cousin language, perhaps it is best to use Spanish. People keep thinking I am from Spain (which confuses me since I lack the Spanish lisp), which is fine by me. I love Spain!!! I guess I am also operating on the fact that being from the States sets me up as more of a tourist than say a person from Northern Europe. Does that make sense?? Or am I making this trip harder than it needs to be?? Haha! I am having fun...but I am my own best friend as my days are spent alone. I feel pretty cool. Let me tell ya, I am the only person in my pictures. I have even resorted to setting the timer and putting myself in scenic photos. Good times...good times. I will meet up with my group of volunteers this Friday. That will be sweet. Until then it is Piper and Piper. haha!
Much love!!!
Today I was able to...
1. Ask for directions and follow them pretty well.
2. Order pizza
3. Find water and juice. And buy them both!!
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