Moments

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Yesterday's literature class was my first and last of the week. The students and professor sort of coagulate at about 20 past the hour to get the class started and the prof let us know that Thursday there would be a conference on the filology of authors (or something of the like) and that Friday there is supposed to be some sort of strike at the university so she would not be teaching class.

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My roommate Chiara transferred from the University of Bologna to the University of Ferrara this year and learned yesterday that her exams won't count until she receives credit for her exams from her other university. She thought this process would be complete by now, given that she was under the impression that the classes would pass through early in the year and she would be able to continue with her life. Unfortunately, no, she basically has no reason to continue with classes except to take the exams at some time in the future when her credits go through. So she's going home for the weekend on Thursday.

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The music was a bit loud, and around 11.30, the Carabinieri came knocking on the door of Interno 3, the location for Francesco's birthday party. The police officer expressed quite clearly that he didn't care what happened at the party: get drunk, smoke, have a good time, but just turn down the music and lower your voices. A police officer turning a blind eye to all activities and just caring about the public peace? Never in America.

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So much of this experience in Italy is made up of moments that simply don't express the absurdity, the randomness, the difficulties of studying abroad in a small town where you are very much a foreigner. I had a tough time for the first 10 weeks, but now my mind is buzzing with positive energy, and going with the flow instead of swimming upstream. I will not become Italian, but I appreciate the language and culture and know that I have already progressed immensely in my language skills. So I try to share a few moments, crystallized beads that convey a little better the essence of the experience. Expect more.