Beginnings

Its a Sunday today and I obviously still havent figured out how to write correctly on this computer yet. I see Lira (£) Euro (€) a bunch of other stuff (òàç§ùèé etc...) but cannot find an apostrophe to save my life. I suppose this could be an appropriate metaphor for my experience in the first week-ish in Parma. Just as with a new keyboard, the base reality and function is the same. Just as with the keys I type, the mannerisms and the western tendencies are the same here as in the United States. But as with the odd symbols and placement, the words, the tendancies and the underlying assumtions of the Italians are completely foreign. So I am able to write this post out with clarity, but it takes time and it takes a certain dedication that is not registered in a familiar American setting.

Theres so much to account for, even though Ive only been here for 4 days, two of which I think I was awake for. This being the first time abroad since Korea when I was 10, EVERYTHING is new. So well start from the beginning. The flight was gueling. I hate flying to California (a tame 3 hours) so the 10 hour flight was trying to say the least. I quickly made friends with a woman named Tiffany sitting next to me, however, who was from Mountlake Terrace. Funny enough, she attended school in California as well. Kind enough to let me share her screen and headphone port when mine inexplicably stopped working, Im pretty sure Tiffany saved me much sanity through watching Star Wars, The Hangover, The DaVinchi Code and Hannah Montana back to back to back to back.

The airport in Frankfurt was not as noteworthy as perhaps I supposed it would be. The food was noteably better (looking) than any food I have ever encountered in a US airport. But in my 3.5 hour layover, there was little memorable, perhaps because I was in a haze after 4 movies and no sleep. As an international hub, however, Frankfurt was buzzing. I heard more languages spoken then I had in the past year in the US. It was very odd to hear announcements first in German, then in English.

As anyone who has ever been abroad in a foreign country knows, the first few days are very humbling. Especially for an American, where, even if you know its wrong, English is taken as the hegemonic dialect. The immidiate, complete and utter immersion leaves you literally without words. Suddenly, for a person who prides himself on articulation, I was left with more to say than ever before, but lacking the skills to even make known the most basic of emotions. Encounters still leave me flustered and embarassed for my precieved ineptitude. Hopefully this will spur me to learn Italian that much more quickly. In the first few days the going has been slow but Ive learned quite a bit even if its simply picking out words from rapid Italian conversation. I know various words (mostly dirty: figa, catsu etc...) some phrases (no parlo italiano, mi dispiache) and colors (thank you rosetta stone.) So in conclusion, theres a long road ahead, starting tomorrow.

The food is great with many similarities to my own gastro experiences. It deserves a separate post to come...

So today I recover from a crazy introduction to night life in Parma consisting of eating, drinking and wandering the crowded downtown streets. My current task is to find a converter for my laptop, buy a soccer ball and get more sleep. I miss home and oddly I miss the Inland Empire (permission to hit me when Im back...) I know this is inevitable and potentially shortlived but to all at home and school: be there when I come back. Ill have recipes, stories and much love.

Ciao