Italian Lessons

Word of the post is: imparando; learning, as in “I’m imparando Italian and wish for you to give me a break.”

We’ve been in Aviano 3 weeks and I’m a tiny bit closer to assimilation. Not that we blend in, I think the locals can spot us from a mile away; at least until someone tries to speak to me in rapid fire Italian. The good thing is, a few second later, they are very well aware that I am in fact American. Randy and I may have found “the house.” The problem is, however, that the home is not available until Mid May. Randy and I (if I may, mostly me) are searching for a two month rental. Unfortunately for us, Italian law makes short term rentals basically unheard of. We’ll continue to persevere through the mess that is Italian real estate law, but until then we are residing at the Residence Posta.

I always considered myself relatively high maintenance, so it is with some pride that I live moderately satisfied in the Residence Posta. My positive attitude certainly is a product of the hotel’s position in Italy. While our “suite” does not have internet, a microwave, an oven, or a shower that stays hot for more than two minutes, the staff is great and the room is warm. 

A Night In-Soup's On

Also, it is steps away from down town Aviano. Randy and I are quickly making our way through the town’s restaurant circuit.

Austrian Food & Beer at Birreria Sacro Graal

Our Welcome to the 510th Pizza at El Mordisco

Oh hi Valentine's Day Pizza-Sicilian Style at Pogue Mahone's

Living amongst the people has given me the opportunity to practice my fledging Italian. Each time I have an interaction that results in any kind of two-way understanding, I take away an intense feeling of satisfaction and not a small amount of sweat.

Aviano

Sacile, Hopefully our Future Home

 In pursuit of the Italian language, Randy and I found a local language class in the Aviano library. We entered the library in search of the teacher Letizia. The women downstairs directed us (mostly with gestures) to a room upstairs. I opened the door to the room and found myself interrupting a large class with a small woman I presumed to be Letizia front and center. I about-faced myself out of there and ran down the stairs. Letizia followed me out and ushered Randy and I into the crowded classroom. I apologized for the distraction and tried to leave, but little Letizia forced Randy and I into chairs at the front of the classroom. Rather than hand me the form for classroom entrance, Letizia asked me for my information and filled it out herself. Ever the multi-tasker, Letizia interspersed her questions for me with questions in Italian to her multicultural students. I was still trying to minimize my distraction, so my answers were given in a weird semi whispery voice. Several red-faced minutes later Randy and I left the classroom.  

Nothing really to do with the story, but I think this picture's funny

Once we made it to the car, Randy gave me a very hard time about my awkward performance. The strangest thing about it was it barely bothered me at all. Randy was practically cringing during and after, while I left the place feeling happy that I signed up for Italian lessons. I just wanted to let you all to know that I think due to the amount of abuse taken, my awkwardness registers are severely broken.

Beginning to Settle

The Word of the Post is: Maledizione; meaning: darn it, as in "Maledizione Jamie, quit bugging me I'm trying to drive.
 

Randy and I have landed, unpacked, and begun the arduous process of moving in. The first few days were rough. We would be up until about 4:00 am and then have to peel ourselves out of bed at 1:00 pm. We are still not used to the 6 hour time distance (6 hrs later than Eastern Standard) but at least I don’t feel like a drunken zombie at noon anymore. 

 

On Friday, we met with an Italian realtor and have started house hunting. Right now we’re staying in an economy apartment on base, which is fine for a bit-especially since the heat is now working…

On Saturday, we met a number of people from Randy’s new squadron, the 510^th Buzzards. A few years ago Randy was a buzzsaw, which made me a buzzsaw babe by proxy. Now I’m a buzzette. I’ve come full circle. Our squadron hosted a dinner for us in downtown Aviano at a restaurant called Casablanca. I had pear ravioli and Randy had pumpkin pizza (both amazing). And vino, lots of vino. We were very lucky to have sponsors who planned this evening, took us to the mall (Randy has an Italian coat now), and drove us to and from this dinner. To continue my evening of firsts I used a thing called “a squatty potty” which I haven’t decided whether I abhor or adore. 

Not Casablanca's actual squatty potty. Their's was much cleaner. But this is it, basically.

 

Randy will probably begin working next week, whereas I’ll continue living the life of luxury while I wait for my license to come through. Randy and I are both stationed at Aviano Air Base. Aviano is a town located in the province of Pordenone. Pordenone is in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. All of this is located in Northeast Italy. We can see the base of the Dolomite Mountains from our apartment’s window right now actually and it’s awesome.

 

We plan to stay within 20 miles from the base itself. We’re looking at a few regions and spent Sunday (today) driving around and getting ourselves acquainted with the area. Pordenone is visually so different from the places I have lived in. Many of the houses are massive antiques reflecting the history of each quaint village. The streets are narrow and winding. Towns only distanced by a mile or so can dramatically shift in style and pace. You can be entertained just by driving down one very long street as you pass village after village. Well I was entertained anyway; poor Randy was driving on these very narrow winding streets and trying to decipher equally long winding street signs. The entire time I interpreted all the Italian words I knew. This probably distracted him more than it aided him. Maledizione.

We started our day in Polcenigo. This house is pretty amazing and close to base, but it’s quite isolated and the town is molto small. 

We then traveled to Sacile, the biggest town in the area. There are many restaurants, shops, and people which are pluses for us. This is likely as far as we’ll live from base. I tried to creep on this house and take a picture. I bet the renters thought I was casing the joint.

 

Next, we drove by a town right outside of Sacile, Fontana Fredda.  It’s smaller than Sacile, but close enough that we can still be in the mix. We saw inside this house, it's actually huge.

Finally this house was in teeny tiny Sedrano. It was fully furnished and very close to base. The problem was, however, it’s also far from where most of our co-workers are located.

We have about a month to find a place to live and we have gotten “our boots on the ground.” I have personally used this time to practice my very basic Italian on the kind people of Italia and Randy. Poor Randy. Well, fino alla prossima volta (until next time).

Ps. Last night, after I wrote most of this I couldn't fall asleep again. Today I feel like a drunken zombie. Maledizione.