Falling in Love with Milano

I am beginning to fall in love with the people here in Milano. Everyday is better. People are beginning to attempt to talk to me and greet me, and starting to feel welcome here in Milano. The other day i went to have an espresso and the man beside me started talking to me, even though I could only figure out a few things he was saying, since he knew no English at all. Also the taxi drivers here are always so friendly as well as funny. The other night I got a taxi to go home and the man was just asking me a million questions, and the conversation was quite funny bc it was all in Italian... and I KNOW SO LITTLE. But we got by... when i got home he kept kissing my hand and saying how bella I was haha.

I'm starting to grow less fond of the Americans here, and spending more time with the Italians. My roommate is nice to me but not overly nice. She seems to give me a vibe that she does not like me... I'm not sure why though. As always it's hard to make girlfriends.

I'm starting to feel more distant towards American culture and really feel like the European lifestyle has always been in my soul. I get espresso 3 or 5 times a day, take transportation, walk everywhere, don't eat breakfast, no gym, and of course always dress to impress :)

I was suppose to go to Florence this weekend with a group of Americans, but I decided to stay in Milano. Since I have seen the city before, it wouldn't be as exciting. So I rather save my money and go somewhere I haven't been before. Anyways tonight there is a real Italian home cooked food, get together I got invited to. I think that itself is worth the experience. Well time to take a nap, I'm exhausted. Bounanotte! Ciao

Amore* Ash*

Venice

Soooo Venice was fun. Since I was there not even a year ago, I had already seen all the main places and monuments... So instead I just explored the city with my Italian friend and got a total different view of the city. The carnival was crazy, there were so so so many people there! Once I got to Venice, we ate a cute little place and I had a veggie pizza...because I LOVE PIZZA haha. Then afterwards just explored the city. People were wearing mask, costumes, wigs, and there were a lot of singing and dancing. I met some Austria girls, who were pretty cool. Got a picture with the boat guy. Had hot spice wine. Attempted to sing opera. And try to ask a question in Italian to a guy, and he asked if I spoke inglese?...and come to find out, two americans were trying to converse with each other in Italian ahhh hahah. I found it very funny.

On Sunday I had my apartment to myself, since my roommates went to torrino. I just wanted to stay home and chill. Later that evening I went out with Michele for dinner at a cool Indian place. Then went to Bar Magenta for drinks with some other Italians. It was interesting because they all conversed to each other in Italian and just sat there trying really hard to understand what they were saying. But it was fun.

I was at first hanging out with Americans when I got here in Milano, but I want to experience the culture, the people, and the language of the Italians... and I can not do that if I hang out with my American friends. Yes, I may be hanging out with a bunch of guys, if it was my choice I would be hanging out with girls... but those that know me, All girls are bitchy, and here in Italy, it's not any different. So the only Italian friends I have... are guys. They are all nice, and not at all charming like the Italians down south. So I don't have to worry about being charmed or hit on. Each day I find myself falling in love with Milano.

Amore.

Ash

Good Morning Milano!

Ciaooooooo! Just got up and am about to go run in the famous parco of Sempione. Very pretty and right near campus. I have not done ANY exercise since i have been to Mialno! And for those who know me, uhhhh my life is at the gym!!! All I have been doing is eating bad food, drinking everyday, and uhhhh quickly killing my good habits hah!! So today the sun is shinning and thought since it's a Friday and have nothing to do, I'll go for a run. I think after my run I will go and shop a little. I'm going to Venice tomorrow to the carnival with ESEG group and American friends of mine here. It's suppose to be a lot of fun. Everyone wears masks, drinks,....just a big fiesta!!  So I'll update you with  the results later.... Miss you all!!! Ciao ciao!

Amore! 

Ash

A Great Day in Milano

Ciao! Ciao! Today was a great day, did not run into any problems. I went to my new film class, which was interesting. We have to write a script and then act it out at the end of the semester. Sounds like it will be fun. Then I went and had lunch my friend Kendall, and went and bought new shoes (since i ruined mine, when i fell the other night). Had some yummy gelato. Then went to the supermarket to get some food for home. I had a lady smile at me in the supermarket, I was quite impress. Came home and then cooked dinner, which was butternut squash ravioli. So today was a great day!

To sum up the weekend....

On friday feb 15, I went shopping for some shoes, which I could not find any. Then I went and had aperitivo with my friend Michele, down by the Cadorna Station. It was a nice day as well.

On Saturday feb 14, which was Valentines Day. I went to the street supermarket, it was very very crowded!!! Then came home and got ready to go to Le Banque club/bar for V day. It was not a great night. I got there and waited in line forEVER, out in the freezing cold! Then once I got in, I could barely move! It was impossible to get a drink. Which the drinks were 10 euros! Then around 3, we left to go home. The roomies thought it would be a good idea to go by the Kabab place, to get something to eat...I was sooo hungry, so I got a little too excited and started to run down the street with 4 inch heels, and BAM!!! Fell right into the sidewalk, yes into it ha. And the shop was closed :( SO not such a great night....Oh forgot to mention how when before I left the club... I went and stood in line for the coat check. To get my coat of course... well this guy totally pushed and cut in front of me, and bought had by then with these rude pushy Italians...Sooo I started cussing and screaming at him...and this guy in line said "It's just how it is" ha, guess he knew English :)

Sunday, Feb 15, After a whole day of sleep....The roomies and I went out for aperitivo, and watched the soccer game, Inter Vs AC, which both teams are for Milan, Italy. Inter won! For those who don't know, AC is the team with David Beckham!

Talk to you soon! 

Amore!

Arrival In Milano

 Ciao! My mother surprised me with first class on the flight from NY to Milano....SO I was in luxury! Had wine served to me, great food, and new movies to watch, had a recline chair....it was perfecto!!!

I arrived at the airport in Milano at 7. I knew I was in trouble when i got off the plane and got my luggage and went out the exit doors... I thought I was suppose to go through customs, so I just followed the sign that said exit....as going out the exit door (as many people were doing) this policeman stopped me. He started talking to me in Italian, and I was just said "uhhhhhh" so I guess he picked up that I didn't speak Italian. So he spoke in broken english, and let's just say it was a hard convo to have! So finally after a few questions,  he let me through. 

After i exit, I was on the outskirts of the inside airport and just stood there for 30 mins absorbing everything in, and trying to release what the hell I was doing!!! I was pretty calm I must say though. I just stood there reading the map in Italian, and watching the people. Finally I went outside of the airport, and stood for about 20 mins, and finally I saw a taxi, he saw me looking at him and nodded his head to come over. So I went over and he got my bags...I told him " Parlo un puo Italiano" I speak a little Italian. Then he replied, "Well I speak a little English" so we went from there.

Arrived at the hotel after 80 euros. Got my room, and slept for 5 hours. Then my friend I met on facebook, came in about 3. We went to have dinner, and the only thing open was a bar. We went in not knowing what to do. Everyone was looking at us and knew we were American! We sat down for 15 mins trying to figure out how to order. Finally I remembered that you have to go to the front and pre pay for your food and drinks, then take the ticket to the bar. ( I remembered that from last year) We went back to the hotel and slept from 7 till 8 the next morning. And woke up to a lot of snow!

We had to go to the school to get our keys to our apartment. Which was another adventure!! We got a taxi to the building, walked in and no one helped us...we just stood there, and the local students just passed us by while we stood there with a ton of luggage!!! Finally this man helped us out. We got to the office, and everyone was nice, and speaking ENGLISH!!!! I met all the other international students, who all seemed nice.

A bunch of us got into this van like a bunch of Mexicans... there was 6 of us and 40 suitcases!!! We all got dropped off to our apartments. My apartment is about 30 mins from the city and University. The cool thing was... the same girl that stayed with me at the hotel, is my roommate! The apartment is in a little gated community, and has 2 bedrooms and 1 freaking bathroom with 3 other girls! There are two balcony viewings. A kitchen and living room as well.

Today after I got into the apartment me and my friend explored the city for lunch. We found this pizza place, and once again they did not speak english at all!!! After we figured it out, we ate, and the pizza was sooooo good!!! We asked the man working at the pizza place where the bancomat was and he directed us in the best way in Italian. After we got done, we went to get coffee and ran into the pizza man there, he ordered our coffee for us, since we did not know how, and paid for it!! Very cool! OkAY Well thats all I got for now! Arrevederci!!! Amore!