A trip to Colico, more reflections, a two and a half hour lunch...

First, today is a double posting, so make sure you don't miss the one right below this one.

On Saturday I took a trip up to a little town called Colico, which is settled between the Alps and kinda near Lake Como. I went up with an American friend who is doing this program in Brescia, about an hour east of Milan. It was really the first time I had hung out with an American in Italy. It was especially nice to talk with someone who is having a familiar experience. We could share frustrations, different experiences, different insights and just have a good chat. Before we get into some of those things I'll recount a bit of our adventure.

We visited his Italian friend in this town of Colico. When we got there Saturday night she was busy with some group activity (like Scouts) so we settled in at her house with her parents and sister and then we went to dinner. What Italian place did we go to? That's right, a Mexican Steakhouse. Where, of course, we all ate pizza. After that we went out into the town 'think population of Gladstone' but a little more concentrated and a walkable city center. There we went to a couple of bars, had some drinks and waited until Matt's friend arrived (yes, my American friend doing the same program in Italy as me is also named Matt).

The next day was when we had a three hour lunch in some very traditional restuarant. A rustic restuarant, that is, with a couple of fireplaces going, windows with views of the Alps and in some small little podunk town and full of locals (most people were speaking at least in dialect to an extent). Here's a quick recap of the menu:
- appetizers: varied cured meats, salame, prosciutto, typical meat of the area, plus mushrooms in some sort of mustard sauce and marinated little onions.
- first course: gnochetti (little gnocchi) with a delicious cheese and butter sauce with sage and cracked black pepper
- secound course: Pork ribs and sausage cooked on a flat rock which is typical of the area (like a pizza stone). A lot of that. Plus potatoes prepared the same way. And on top of that polenta, which is the northern italian stick to your ribs dish if there ever was one.
- then: Two types of cheese, one similar to grana (like a crumbly parmesan) and one white one, kinda like a cheddar.
- dessert: Specialty cake of the region, plus cookies.
- Add in a liter of wine, a liter of water and three coffees split between us, we were about to die and go to culinary heaven.

How much did it run us? For this marathon, authentic lunch we payed 52€ total. So with the weak dollar conversion I would guess that would be something like 68$. Which I think is a great deal for all the food we got, didn't have to leave a tip, got wine and made a real experience out of it. Which leads me to my next and principal observation of this post...

This type of thing does not happen in America, especially not in a restaurant. Could you imagine a) having a lunch like this and then b) being able to enjoy it to its fullest, have good conversation and not once be hasseled by a waiter? It is great! We never once felt like they wanted us to leave or to open up the table. We stayed there the longest by far and there was never that feeling. Eating together like that was something to be enjoyed. We didn't worry about when the next dish would come. It came when it came. We didn't feel like we were 'wasting time' while there at all. When was the last time you had lunch or dinner in a restaurant like this? It wasn't just a lunch to eat great traditional food but to experience the people around you, too. We talked about all sorts of things, from politics to old drinking stories. Sometimes in America I think we forget that food can have this effect. It acts as a bridge or a catalyst to human interaction. It is the ultimate excuse to get people together and spend time with the people you care about. Everyone needs to eat, right? Well let's try to make an experience out of it then. Let's not just eat to live, but let's live to eat. Let's not look at food as something that only feeds the body but can feed the mind and soul through getting people together in situations like this. Let's live to have those experiences where we share good food with good people and don't worry about where we have to be or what we have to do later tonight. Let's step back from the hecticness of life and say to ourselves 'We deserve more time like this. More time with our friends and family and good food and good conversation.' Leave the dishes on the table and let's chat some more. We'll clean them when we're ready.

That being said, I'd be more than happy to cook all of you (seriously, anyone reading this ol' rag) a big ol' Italian dinner when I get back (not too far away...in Oregon in late Feb.). We'll eat good food, but more importantly we will spend time together and appreciate the friendships that we have. I'll start preparing the menu...

'He's coming to America...dum dum dum dum'

It is true, I am leaving Italia on Febuary the 8th and coming back to America. I was trying to get my visa extended but was not able to do it while here in Italy. The only way I could remain in Italia and not technically be illegal would be to return to America (specifically San Francisco where my Italian consulate is) and apply for a new visa. Then I would have to, of course, purchase a new air ticket back to Italy and play the paperwork game again, more or less. That's a little hard to want to do when it is something that should have been taken care of before I even left to come here. And according to me the uncertainess of when exactly I would get my visa complicates things. I imagine at minimum it would take a couple of days (considering I have all of the correct papers to apply, which is hard to know unless they have everything there and can tell you). I do feel like I've arrived to a point where I am feeling more at home in Milan. Making more friends, meeting more people and such. Even if I have to end it at this point it does give me a nice feeling of independence. That I'm able to make it in a foreign city, meet people, experience things without a real social network already set up (i.e. studying abroad with a bunch of people, or working somewhere with people your age, or taking university classes together).

But that is ok, I have still had an enjoyable experience. The teaching has been enjoyable and given me a nice idea of if I would want to do it as a career. I still think that being a professor would be the way to go. For example, a lot of my students are rowdy. Well, pretty much 90% of them would be getting in trouble for things that they do if they were doing them in America. But the pedagogy in Italy is different and this type of high school attracts students that are not exactly the 'I really enjoy learning and want to get good grades and continue on to university'. Sure, they are there, but the mentality is perhaps more along the lines of 'If I get held back a grade, that's ok. I just really want to get a job when I graduate and not much else. Can I have my piece of paper now (diploma)?' Seeing as I am a teaching assistant I don't really have to deal with behavioural problems. If they are being exceptionally loud or rowdy I usually employ the 'I'll just stop talking' trick, which works most of the time because there are usually a couple of students who then end up telling the other ones to shut up. But then of course I have to resort to shushing, a sharp whistle, a clap of the hands and such. Being a professor would eliminate a lot of that. We've weeded out most of the kids who don't care at all by that point in education. You don't have to worry about Johnny picking on Suzy. It has more of a libertarian feel to it, as in 'Hey, if you don't want to come to class that's your decision. I'm not gonna track you down, you've gotta be responsible'. Seeing as I enjoy teaching, enjoy my summer breaks, would like to continue studying or learning in one form or another as I get older, shooting for the professor position could be good. The problem is that right now I couldn't see myself going back to school right away. I just think that I've been doing school for so long (what, at least 18 years, year after year, right?) and that I need a new experience. A more real-life experience, whatever that means. I suppose it means earning some money, getting a more legit job than my summer jobs, finding a place to live, etc. We will see what happens when I make it back to Portland and get readjusted to everything.

Anyways, back to the initial topic. Now my 'extend-the-trip' plan is as follows: stop my return flight on the east coast and make my way back across the states while visiting friends along the way. The first stop will be in Washington, D.C. where one of my cousins lives. Two of my good friends from high school and college also live there. Both have been kind enough to let this vagabond man camp out at their place. Then the tentative plan is to hopefully go to Illinois and visit my friend John for a little while and then hopefully to Boulder where my friend Monica lives, then probably home to Portland. I'll probably use a mix of airplanes (JetBlue) and probably take the train at least once for the experience. If you are reading this and are living somewhere else then Oregon shoot me a message! Who knows, maybe we'll be able to meet up as I make my way back.

I'll be keeping up the blog until my arrival back in Portland. Thanks to all of you that have been reading, there's still a little bit to come.

Things I've learned along the way...

1) The fine for not having a bus ticket in Milan is 35 Euros and can be payed on the spot.

2) Italian bureacracy is the 8th wonder of the world. It's like that kid from highschool that managed to flunk out of the easiest class around. You know, when you have to put forth more effort to do it incorrectly than what it would take to do it correctly the first time.

3) Teaching could very well be the right career path for me. I enjoy being up in front of people in that setting, the interaction with the students, challenging them, not having every day be the same, teachers vacations and being someone that they could look up to.

4) That the kindness of your hosts while traveling is irreplaceable.

5) Keeping in touch with people, friends and family is important. In fact, one of my new years resolutions is to stay in contact with everyone who has moved away (and maintain good contact with those still around the Portland area when I return).

6) There really are some of the best dressed people I've ever seen strutting around Milan. I've seen many examples of the perfectly tailored suit. Truly a thing of beauty and a rare find in day to day Oregonian life.

7) Once you've gotten used to Italian espresso, there's no going back to venti sized mocha caramel Starbucks monstrosities. Pass me my creamy shot of espresso and let's make a go of it.

8) They really do all drink Guiness in Ireland (well, mostly). Also, the grass at Trinity College in Dublin has mutant green grass that puts my beloved Oregonian green to shame.

9) I have a newgound love for Spaghetti Westerns. This is due to multiple viewings on tv and one really cool free public concert conducted by Enrico Morricone, who wrote the more memorable music for these movies (like the music to The Good, The Bad and TheUgly).

10) In the Italian version of the Simpsons (or I Simpson) the Quicky Mart = Jet Mart, Moe's = da Boe and at in least one case Barney Gumble's burp was not audible...strange.

Just a quick list of a few things that came to mind, and while I may be returning to the States shortly, I'll be keeping the blog up until I get back to Portland. Cheers...

New Years Resolutions, a speaking exercise

This week the students are making their own resolutions as a speaking exercise and then sharing with the class. Here is by far the best one:

'In 2007 I will not be too sweet because my girlfriend is diabetic'

Now that is just lovely. I had a pretty good laugh during class after that one.

On the other end of things, I've been wondering what to do when I get back, seeing as it might be sooner than I previously thought. Passing through my mind has been trying to get into some archaeology or something to do with my degree (anthropology). There is a summer field school ran by the UO that I could do. I know that I don't want to go back to normal school yet, although it's still a possibility in the future. I started looking for internships in archaeology or anthropology yesterday online. I figure that it would be worth a shot, try some things out, although I would like to stay in Portland, for at least a little while after I get back of course. No need to run off right away when I've been away for awhile already. Ok, not much else to say there as I should go grab an espresso before I start teaching. Cheers...

Back in Milan...

Well, after a two week long hiatus I find myself back in Milan, Italy. New Years was great in Dublin, Ireland. Christmas was also wonderful in England. I cant remember what I wrote in my last post, so i may be reiterating a few things.

Christmas was great because I got to spend some time with family. For those of you who have had to spend this time away from family can understand some of the homesickness that goes on. But being in England and the welcomingness of my cousin and his family made me feel at home. It was something that I'll never forget and I'm very grateful for the experience.

Dublin is a really cool city. Very lively, with tons of pubs (many with traditional live music) and yes, everyone actually does drink Guiness (a bit strange to look around the bar and see black pints everywhere)! Once again I was welcomed into someones home and shown a great time. I think I may still be recovering from the traveling/new years party!

So now the new news in Milan is me trying to extend my stay in Italy. This is the short of it: there will (hopefully) be some papers waiting for me at the school when I go tomorrow. Then with these papers I can apply for an extension of my stay. Could I stay without getting these papers and an extension? Yes, I'm rather sure I could, however, herein lies the rub... When you leave Italy they check your passport and give you an exit stamp (at least leaving from an airport). If I decided to stay without getting my 'permit to stay' extended and they ask for it when I leave, there would be problems (my roommate told me that they have asked her for it before). The punishment, as far as I know, would be not coming back to the EU for 5 years. Now, the school told me that people last year had no problem just leaving the country after 3 months and coming back in for a new stamp for a new three months. I, however, am skeptical. I'm hoping that this week I can figure out what needs to be done, as I'm kinda getting stressed thinking about it right now. I'll keep you all updated on that as I wade through it all. But let's finish with something a little more upbeat...resolutions!

I usually don't make New Years Resolutions, and when I do they usually revolve around me saying 'I'll work out more' or 'I'll be in better shape'. More or less I think everyone does these. But this year is a little different. At first I didnt have any resolutions (hell, I even skipped the workout more ones). Then I started reflecting on my vacation over the holidays as they started winding down. I was amazed at how nice people were to me. Welcoming me into their homes, giving me food and drink, showing me a good time, a nice place to sleep. I was honestly touched by it all. So I thought it would be right of me to step up and make a resolution to be the most welcoming of a host that I can be to people. True, I do not get the chance to host people very often but I think I can stretch this resolution into other areas to make up for that by striving to be a generous person in general. So what does that mean? Good question, it's a bit too broad. I guess everything that has happened in the last few weeks has made me realize how much you can make someones day (or much more than that) by just putting the good foot forward and being welcoming. I hope I can really do that in the new year and I hope to have many opportunities to put myself to use (so come visit me in Italy or even Portland when I get back!!!).

In other news...
Lately I've been feeling like things have been put into fastfoward. People are getting engaged/married, my little cousins aren't so little any more, two of my cousins have had children recently, friends are getting careers and moving away, etc. It's all a bit big to grasp, especially being away from it all. So what am I getting at here? Not sure. I guess it's hard to see what will be happening in the future (like it's ever been easy). All my close friends and I have been doing school for years and years and now it's kinda time to break away from that. I've been thinking of what I could/would/will do when I get back (whenever that is). I'm fairly sure I don't want to go into gradschool, at least not right away. However, after going to the natural history museum in Dublin a bit of the archeaologist in me woke up and I've contemplated doing a summer field school in eastern oregon wihch is ran through the U of O, but that is kinda one of those distant thoughts. Teaching? Wine business? Something else? I'll probably find myself in my two old jobs (if possible) at least for a while when I get back so I'll have some time to earn some moolah and think it over.

Well, I could probably go on a bit like this, I'm a bit of a stream of consciousness writer. Whatever comes to mind at the moment makes it up here by the time I actually sit down in front of the computer. So we'll end here, for brevity's sake. Everyone take care!

matt

p.s. - I'm currently reading 'The Hobbit' in Italian. Awesome.