Ciao

Non parlo italiano molto bene.

I have been here less than a week and already so much has happened. I kept telling myself sit down, work on your journal or the blog...but it never seemed to happen. So here I am. 10:00 pm the night before I go to Venice...not packed...trying to catch up! I guess my organization skills haven't changed yet, but I'm sure thats about to change.

The flight here was uneventful, other than we had to use air stairs at the Washington Dulles airport. I thought it was quite antiquated, but apparently I was wrong. The adventure truely began after we got off the plane in Venice. We had to find our bags, exchange money, and catch a bus to El Mestre (a train station on the outskirts of Venice). Everyone says Venice is a beautiful city and its all on water. They lied. So far all I've seen of Venice is ugly. The train station is on the mainland, in a poor area of the city. We saw lots of run down huts and to top it all off for the first 4 days it has done nothing but rain or mist. It has been so foggy we can't even see the mountain that we are living on.

Once we got to the train station we had to find a train to take us to Bassano del Grappa, a small town north of Venice. To get on the train we had to go down a flight of stairs then back up another. This wouldn't be bad but imagine 30 college students - 75% of them women each lugging two large rolley bags, an overstuffed carry-on, and a large travel backpack that turned us into weebles...always wobbeling but never falling down. Never again will I pack like I did for this trip! Once the train got to Bassano we had to take another bus to Paderno del Grappa...where the campus is.

When we finally got here and got checked in I was exhausted. I went upstairs only to find out that I do not have a roommate...which was upsetting at first because it felt lonely, but already I have met some fun girls who I think will be friends for the entire trip and beyond. A couple of them go to KU. One girl mentioned that she got her purse at Wal*mart and I knew she was my kind of friend. I have already watched many of my peers spend hundreds of dollars and we've not even been in Italy a week. One guy was trashed already by the time we got on the bus to come to campus. I hope and pray that these people find the other things about Italy...the things I am so excited for. I feel kind of lost in a sea of North Face, Uggs, platnum blonde, and Coach. ITs a little intimidating considering my "high class" is buying something not on the sales rack at Kohls. Oh well. Like I said there are some cool girls that I've already spent time with.

My room is a little sketchy too. Each room has its own bathroom, but mine has the shower, sink and toilet all in one. I could sit on the pot and take a shower at the same time....WEIRD! But after spending all day traipsing around the world a hot shower felt good no matter how it came! Then last night at midnight I woke up to an awful gargling and skreetching sound coming from the electrical socket next to my bed. When I looked up I saw blue sparks. I about crapped my pants. I called the RA who was out at the bar, but told me she was on her way back. 45 minutes later she told me there was nothing they could do about it last night and that I should just go back to bed. Nothing they could do? I thought I was going to electricute myself in my own bed. This morning though, a maintance man came and gave me all new sockets in the room. I haven't had a problem since.

The campus we are staying at is called Instituto Filippin and is a private Catholic high school. The statues are beautiful and there is a church on campus. We are allowed to go, so I may attend mass some Sunday. It is hard to look past God's greatness here. Mount Grappa is imposing when you can actually see it. It has been good for me to be reminded of God's power.

Classes are going great. They are a little more tough than at home, but that may just be the lack of sleep talking so far. The food is alright. I'm already tired of pasta. It is served at every meal, although you get more willing to try interesting looking things when its all you have. But I have to admit...cafeteria food doesn't magically change half way around the world!

Tonight a group of us we to the tabacci, which is a "little bit of everything shop." You can buy light grocerys and fresh meat there as well as laundry detergent, school supplies, and wine. I wanted to buy something small since we were just kind of milling around, so I asked the lady for a small piece of cheese. She cut a paper thin slice and I asked her where I pay. She said "no, no you try." It was Asiago and it was delicious. Then she cut me another kind that was even better. I'm not sure what it was. She didn't charge me for either, so I bought a pastry instead. Then we walked down to Al sole, the local pizzaria. It was fantastic. I had Prochutto con Funghi...ham and mushrooms. Delicious, but a single pizza for 5 Euro or about 6 US dollars was about the size of a medium in the states. I definitely could not finish it all. But it was delicious. After that we checked out one of the local bars. "Bar" in Italy doesn't mean what Americans invision. Here a bar is a simple cafe where you can buy coffee, tea, soda, and they have wines. A glass of wine costs 0.80 Euro, or about $1.12. Its incredibly cheap. I haven't tried any and still haven't decided if I will. Pop on the other hand is almost $2.00 for a small bottle or can.

Well I should go to sleep, tomorrow is going to be a long, long day. I love you all.

Bible Verse of the night: Psalm 121:1 "I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of of heaven and earth."