Right now that’s all I know in Italian. Well, that and “fettuccini.” Nice, right??
Anyway, it’s 6ish in the evening here and our first full day is almost done! Notice I said DAY….I hope the night goes on a little longer, but we’ll see how it goes because Siena is very quiet. Today at our orientation the Director told us that after 11 is quiet hours in most areas of the town for private residences. She specifically said, “…so, if you have a party at your apartment turn the music a little lower at 11 and you’ll be fine.” Amazing. I already told my roommates here that we need to have some serious theme parties – I don’t think I can go a whole semester without dressing up like an idiot and making a fool of myself! Mixers anyone?
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| Our apartment's living room/dining area |
Ok, to be serious though, Siena is amazing despite the seemingly low key exterior. The University of Siena is here, and it is said to be the oldest, and one of the best Universities in all of Italy. It was founded in 1241 and costs something like 2,500 Euros a year to attend. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. That means without room and board or meal-plan, college in Siena costs about $3,400.00. A year. This is because in Italy, and especially in Siena, education and healthcare are viewed, to quote the director of IES Siena, “…as a right and not as a privilege.” Can you imagine how different things would be in the United States if we shared this philosophy?? Who knows…maybe someone important will read my blog and the whole country will change for the better! :)
Siena is also probably the most beautiful city I have ever seen, let alone lived in. I feel like I’m on a movie set! Granted, it’s only been a day, but let me tell you watching Eat Pray Love on my 9 hour flight from Atlanta to Rome really put me in the mood to be here! Well the first 45 minutes or so….then it just got annoying. Like, enough already! Also if she lost all her money in the divorce how did she live such a free-for-all life for a year? LOOPHOLE! Ok sorry for the tangent…SIENA. Back on track now.
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| The view from a random street/balcony that me and my roommates found! Thank you panoramic camera.... |
I live in an apartment about a 5-minute walk from the Piazza Il Campo, the main city center. I also live about a 2-minute walk from this little café where my roommates and I got coffee this morning before our orientation meeting. Well we tried to get coffee but it was sortof awkward and embarrassing. Obviously. Ok here’s what happened: As you know, I do not speak Italian. We ordered two coffees by literally saying the word coffee with an Italian accent hoping for the best and signaling “two” with our fingers. Classy, huh? Anyways, we were served two espresso. Obviously this is not what we wanted but we felt awkward so we loitered for a bit before my roommate Kristina stepped up and ordered two cappuccino. Again, same method just with the word cappuccino instead of coffee. It worked!! But we still had to sit at our table awkwardly with three people, two untouched espresso, and two empty cappuccino. Whatever. Long story short, we went back to that same café two other times within the 4 hours. What can I say, it’s a short walk! :)
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| Me and my roommates at Piazza Il Campo. From left to right: Kristina, Me, Gaby. See that little ally to the left? That's my street! |
Anyways, that’s all for now, it’s only been a day so nothing too exciting to report just yet. Miss everyone who isn’t here but secretly trying to rub it in your faces at the same time!!
CIAO!
Erin
