Yay for America...ns and more Pics

I met a girl from Pennsylvania at the gym last week and talked to her again today! I was totally shocked at how great it felt to have a "normal" conversation, using all the American slang I wanted, and that person having the ability, (i.e. wits and smarts) to respond with the same level of sarcasm as the comment was delivered with. Ahhhh.... it truly is the little things...

I purposely avoid "American Expat Clubs" or "English speaking get-togethers" because I really want to immerse myself in order to adapt and and feel like I belong in this city. But this girl isn't included in the bucket of the average American working or studying abroad. She is fluent in Italian, engaged to a Italian/British man and has lived in Milan 1 year already. She has given me very useful tips on learning the language, shopping and lets not forget her insight on the apperitivo (a.k.a. happy hours)!

Apperitivo's are very cool. You pay somewhere between 6-8 Euros and get all you can eat Italian buffet (appetiser type foods) and a drink or two. You're not going to find the spread of a Country Buffet or Furrs at these places... thank God. All the yummy tastes of Italy are in one spread and in small portions (yes... small portions). I haven't had the guts to go to an apperitivo by myself yet. Now I have someone to go with and I'm excited to try it out.

OK, so here are some more pics I though you might enjoy!

This picture was taken in a city called Vercelli (ver chel lee). This is the town I have to go to for all my immigration paperwork. It is really small and very charming. The people here are very nice too.

This is La Scala, a famous opera house in Milan. It is small (i.e. limited seating) and very expensive. I hope to visit the nose bleed section someday ;)

These are pictures of a parade I just happened to walk into a couple weeks ago. I apologize, I have no idea what it was for and the chanting and apparel didn't help me either! You'll notice in the first picture that there is a line of people pulling the large carriage by a rope... no thank you!

The peeps in the carriage started throwing little wrapped cookies at the crowd. I literally let one hit my arm and fall to the ground. Something told me that I shouldn't eat it... Do you remember what happened to Alice in Alice in Wonderland when she ate her strange cookie???

This is a picture of a building that resides in a park near my apartment. I've walked by it a ton of times but never knew what it was for. Well, one Saturday during my morning stroll, I notice some commotion (i.e. a couple families coming out of the building). To my surprise, they had a
Museo di Sotria Naturale. The exact translation in English is, "Museum of History Natural". I love the Natural History Museum in Denver, so I thought I would check it out. It took all of 20 minutes to walk through... including a few pauses for pictures ;).
I thought this was totally cool... whoa! That is one big turtle.

Again, whoa! I mean, is this real??? Don't ask me, but either way its pretty neat :).

What the....?!?!?

Monkeys! I knew this one ;)!

I learned a new phrase this week.... "Ho capito" (O ka pee toe). Translation : I understand. This is one phrase I won't be using for awhile ;).

Love to all. Buona notte!

Jamie