Certain days, like this Monday, I feel as if Italy's enchantments are wearing off. I honestly am that person who thought the culture shock honeymoon would never wear off. Now I am feeling stuck in a state of 'in-between'. I'm not sure how to navigate this part of my experience, I am so happy to be here but I am feeling kind of lonely and frustrated all at the same time. I miss be around people who just get me without explanation. I'm meeting so many new, fun people but I can't help but long for home. The funny part about that is, I don't really have a super large friend-base at home either so I sit around fantasizing about relocating a select group of people to this beautiful city I am in because I don't want to leave but I would sure love someone to know when I could use a hug. No one really talks about this stage so I figured that I would! All of these things are just things. There is no way for me to have both my friends and family from home AND this experience and right now, I DO have this experience. So we power through the rough part, try to learn as much as possible, make more friends, and maybe eat a little more chocolate to help along the way.
Did I mention the language barrier?! It's a bitch, mi scusi. So far, it's not so easy. It is true that people appreciate your attempts at speaking Italian, however, there are quite a few people who don't exercise great customer service in these situations. Buying things at cafes and bars, not so bad, usually a pretty educational and smiley experience. Buying things from stores and asking for sizes, not so warm and fuzzy. I mean it hasn't really stopped me from making some choice purchases, but I'm getting motivated to make it to Unit 4: Shopping in Rosetta Stone! Anyway, hopefully you'll be hearing more random Italian phrases from my way soon. Italian class is very helpful, I can now phrase a question: Scusi, ho una domanda...? Ask for someone's phone number: Qual e il tuo numero di telefonino? and I can ask WTF? Scusi, cosa significa ...?
So yes, I am basically fluent.
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*BIG* *HUG* for *YOU*!!!!
ReplyDeleteah sweetie, hang in there. we are so proud of you and the great thing is that in just a couple of months we WILL be there...best of both worlds! love you XOXOXOX
ReplyDeletemy dear fluent italian friend,
ReplyDeletegetting over the honeymoon state is no bueno, for sure. but if anything, hold onto the idea that when spring time comes, you will honeymoon with florence in a new season. and then again in summer! changing of seasons is my favourite in budapest because when life gets routine, my environment gives me thousands of new reasons to smile and be happy about where i am. itll never be the same and can always be difficult, but that's what makes it an experience! i suffer from extreme loneliness in certain minutes, hours, days, weeks, etc of my life here. it can come and go or stay. so i try to think about the differences i see in myself because of where i am.. maybe that i observe more to understand my environment cause i can't just open up and ask someone all the time.. i figure it out for myself. so i take that new characteristic, and i utilize it.. i walk around a new part of the city or sit in a cafe without music in my ears to people watch. and i think about how cool of a skill itll be to bring home with me. hah i dont think what i am saying makes sense anymore. but i bet you, if not now than soon, all the api-ers will be feeling the same. use it, use each other! x