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Sardegna Italy
29 September 2000: Setteling In
-- Got our appliances today. Our washer is a whirlpool, but is a front
loader and very small. Very different from American washers. Different settings
and what not. The refrigerator is also very different, and comes with either
a wine or as we are using, a water bottle holder that holds around 5 large
bottles. They all have European plugs, and the directions come in many languages.
Definitely not American size capacity though. The dryer, however is definitely
American. We got lucky and actually got central heating that also works to
heat our water up. They are run by gas petroleum, and run out to two bombola
tanks out on the street. We buy coupons from the NEXT to refill our bombolas.
The rest of the building has big tanks that they get refilled, however this
is very expensive for us, and the landlord knows Americans like to use the
bombolas, so he converted the system for this apartment.
Things are going really well since we have moved into our place. I am signed
up for a week long Italian language class next week. Hopefully it will be
fun. So I am finding things to do, or should I say that they keep finding
me. It is a really small community here, and so word gets around quickly.
Eric checked into the Agroturismo, and organized 10 of us to sign
up for tomorrow night. Wow it sounds really interesting. We are going to
eat some wild stuff. Wild boar, goat, lamb, cheese, and just unusual stuff.
Apparently, we have been warned that one of these animals will be placed
on the table in full figure. Yes I will be taking my camer29a!
Oh speaking of food, we went to the pescheria, fish store, and I bought a
huge bag of mussels for about a buck seventy. Yeah very cheap. Ciao for now,
Lisa
4 September 2000: Eric's First
Impressions:
Come stai Seniorita Nikki, It's Wednesday, and our sleeping schedule
and sense of direction are all screwed up. Lisa and I are doing really well,
and in two days, we've done and seen a lot for sure. Our Italian is getting
good fast, and we are enjoying every minute of it. We were first picked up
at the airport by two of the sponsor team personnel who were very friendly
and loaded us up to drive to Palou, where we are living temporarily.
We landed a truly awesome little place. Small, but bigger than we thought.
The kitchen has a table, Quattro chairs, a bench, the washer (no dryer),
hot water heater, gas stove, piccolo refrigerator, sink and all are in a
space of about a large bathroom. The bathroom its self is slightly smaller
than the kitchen, and has a nice bathtub, but not great water pressure. There
is a small sink looking thing next to the toilet, called a bandola that's
for cleaning your ass - no kidding. The Italians, and Europeans in general
don't shower often, but spray cologne or perfume instead. Crazy eh?
The rooms aren't too bad, but they have no rugs or carpet anywhere. Really
echo's everywhere.
What's big here for desert is Gelatto - an ice cream, with all flavors that
would put American's ice cream to shame. The Seafood is very popular, and
pizzeria's are popular as well. There's not much steak and beef, but some
places have lamb, chicken, and pork. Coffee - Caffe's are big. You can get
a real cup of cappuccino, or latte's anywhere. It's all great! Wow,
the cheese is all white, they never heard of cheddar, and very smooth, fresh
- soft - outstanding. We were invited to dinner the first night by a Chief
from the sponsor team, and his Italian wife, and another couple who had just
gotten here. Wow! Great food. I ordered my first beer from the Rome airport,
so by then, I was a pro! HA HA!
We then walked to the festival ( downtown Palou is small - and three small
blocks away) by the water, and there were hundreds of people out enjoying
themselves, and all the shops were open! WOW! Free fish, and wine, and nice
Italian people everywhere. I see why people we've met have stayed so long!
The festivals in Palou have been going on since June, every night!
The Italians sleep during the afternoon, and start opening shops about
7 or 8pm. Then they stay open late, and sleep all morning, to wake up, and
open up shop again for a few hours in the morning.
The Italians love dogs, and have given Tiffany alot of attention when we
walk her. Today Jay, a sponsor team representative, picked us up at
ten to buy groceries over in La Maddalena, which is a 15 minute ferry ride
from here. We picked up a few things, and came back to a Chill!. We came
back on the ferry, walked home, and found the doors wide open! Yep, the wind
had blown them open, and I had thought someone broke in! Tiffany was gone,
and Lisa was in shock! Uh Oh for sure! I went looking with her, and learned
really quick how to say small dog, black and white, thanks to our American
neighbor. We went everywhere, and up and down the streets! Dam, Lisa was
frightened and I was hopeful! Another neighbor thought she remembered two
Italian people trying to sell her earlier, but couldn't remember anything
else, Lisa freaked!
Hugh, the neighbor boy next door (who's a smart 12 years old!) went with
me for another round, and I started going door to door. I found her, and
was so happy an old Italian couple with a son younger than me had found her
and taken her in. He had tried to call the Petsmart number on her vaccination
tag, but had no luck! Funny for sure! We were saying thank you and all of
our Italian lingo quick! They were so friendly, and invited us in. We chatted
and translated what we could for 30 minutes, and they gave me this after
dinner shot of what they call "Morti" - which tastes like blueberry
Jaggermeister. Such Hospitality, We were so greatful! I had to write it all
down. Ciao! and Love, Eric
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