Castelraimondo (and my addiction to parenthetical asides)

I’ve been here two days, and it feels like forever and no time at all. Yesterday afternoon after class we explored the town, wandering around to find a few bar/restaurants, (among them London Pub and Istanbul Kebab), some very pretty houses (balconies and flowerboxes are one of my favorite things about Italy) a few pizzerias, farmacia/tabaccerias, and of course, a gelato place (where we stopped to revive our spirits).  Most places were closed for the afternoon pisolino (nap). It seemed pretty sleepy with its empty piazzas and streets, but it is a small town – not exactly a tourist destination, in contrast with the jammed cities we’ve been visiting.

We hoped to get to the supermarket to pick up a few things, but it too was closed, and we were told it would re-open “4, 4:30, whenever.” (This is Italy.) We headed back around 4:30, while its doors remained resolutely shut (although we had success at some other places that were waking up). In the course of the afternoon I developed a pretty bad headache, so unfortunately I had to miss dinner and slept the rest of the evening. (I’m all better today). Although it made an interesting contrast, crying in pain while looking out at the alpine glow on the surrounding hills and houses.

In the mornings we have class outside, sitting in the shade looking out at the mountains around us (and then back at the textbook). We move through things effectively, and by the time lunch rolls around I feel my head has been well-crammed with new information. I keep wanting to speak French, but it’s fun to listen and pick up things in Italian from conversation. I understand a lot of what’s said (when spoken slowly), I just need to learn the vocabulary to respond (that’s when the French comes out).

So, as I was writing that last paragraph (outside, where we have class – it got too hot in the sun), I heard a strange hissing noise. I turned around to look and there was a snake, slithering towards me. In case you don’t know, snakes are my phobia (I think everyone’s allowed one). I didn’t scream or stand on my seat (although I was tempted), but got up fairly fast and moved out of its path (it was only passing me by to get back to the grass in any case). Hm. Italy, I love you, but I forgot about that scene in “Under the Tuscan Sun.”