Getting Into the Swing of Things!

Hello hello! Well I am finally all moved into my apartment and going to school, officially a resident of Torino, Italia! The apartment is pretty cute it's a 2 bedroom with 3 other girls, right in Midtown Torino. There are 3 different places to live in here, Downtown, Midtown and by the school and Midtown is a 20 minute walk or busride away from both the school and downtown so I definitely got the best deal, especially since downtown is about an hour from school! The living room is more of a walkway and the tv is broken, we are the only apartment that gets a little bit of internet reception, but it is verrrry cute! Weird how advanced America is, you have to turn the gas on to use the stove, microwaves are a rare amenity in apartments, and you also have to turn the water heater on and off for the shower, the washing machine drains into the toilet! But I think I am finally getting adjusted, didn't think that Italy was as different as it is from America! Little things like schedules (most Italians take a "siesta" from 1 to 2:30, and they don't really eat breakfast and have dinner around 9 o clock) or driving (the drivers are crazy here! constant honking and zipping around and they always seem to create their own traffic laws and parking spaces!) and little things like that are a lot different! Everybody in Torino lives in apartments on top of restaurant and houses, the town looks like a twist of Brooklyn, New York City and what you would think Italy would be like. I'm starting to get used to the weather as well, it's been snowing! Thankfully it doesn't happen to often because we are surrounded by the alps.

School is good, I am just taking italian class right now which is a little boring because i've already taken it but it's good to get refreshed. Not so intimidated to practice my Italian with the locals anymore, they seem to appreciate it! I am starting my real classes next week and can't wait to start being busy again, not used to all of this leisure time. This weekend we are thinking of going to Milan for the day, it is around 2 hours away by train and I've always wanted to see it! Unfortunately I brought the wrong adaptor for my computer but ordered a new one today and will post pictures when I do! Love and miss you all terribly!

Ciao!

Caitlin