)(( hannah mello ))(

Swivel-Chair Thoughts, Maps, and Bologna

Here I sit on a swivel chair in a quiet office during the afternoon hours of shut-down. The Italian swirl of a day begins with a caffe macciato (a tiny expresso with a spot of steamed milk and sugar in a tiny cup with a saucer), a bit of fruit, and a bike ride from downtown to ovest or est (west or east). Today, after not sleeping at all last night (too much noise outside in the piazza below-- plus too much on my mind. bad combo.), i waded through 2 hours of irregular Italian grammar-- making me feel thoroughly hopeless. :) Not really. Just moderately.

Ok. Thought I'd post some maps of where I'm at in this world of Europa.
And, still no ability to post my own photos, but these will do! :)






The Region: Reggio Emilia
The Town: Modena
The Country: Italy









And this here is my Modena from the air. Do you see the trees to the right and up a bit from the tower? That's where I live. In that very piazza.







Bologna is 25 minutes away by train. This here is its aerial view (below. Modena is above). There's nothing like Bologna. It's so alive with student action. Every pillar is covered in hand-written ads and classifieds of all sorts. Students stand around them, tearing off contact info, chatting it up with each other, stopping off at an open-air bar or pub to kill a few afternoon hours before sitting on their favorite piazza bench for a good read. You can find dreadlocks, yes, hippees, yes, other Europeans, yes... pretty much everything eclectic and funky.















This Piazza Magiore is the heart of the city-- little tiny streets break off of it-- one of which leads up to Via Zamboni where all the students hang out-- and where there's the best gelateria in the world and !! Feltrinelli International-- which has a gigantic English book section and tons of cool journals, notebooks, and overall overpriced but exciting stationary stuff. Borders-esque.














These pillar-ed off hallways have a way of framing the daylight magically.













Two things I will never tire of in Italia.
1. Outside public lighting.
- Every tower, castle, and piazza is lit so subtly-- you often figure it's solely moonlight. The streets are lit so gently, but well. Every night feels like a set. Intentional ambiance round the clock, built into the culture.
2. House/Buildings' paint colors.
- The yellows, reds, mango/citrus-y colors-- all-- are unlike any other palette. I often take photos of walls just because I want to remember the hues. The weather not only makes the different stones change color, but the walls of these colorful exteriors as well. You feel like everyday the world is painted new.







Just finished reading:
1. "The High Flyer" by Susan Howatch-- 4 Stars
2. "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin-- 4 Stars (every woman needs to read this book, especially single women)
3. "Shadowlands" a book written from the film's screenplay
AND now reading:
4. "Of Mice and Men" by Steinbeck
5. "Walden" by Thoreau

Listening to:
- Negramaro
- Justin McRoberts
- Vineyard's "If You Say Go"

I'm so tired today. I have a 2 hour lesson with Pharmacists this afternoon. Gotta cook a veggies and rice lunch first. Gotta ride my bike back to my house for that. I have to say, teaching is so exhillerating (sp?). I absolutely LOVE IT. I am so nervous beforehand these days cause every class is brand new-- but the moment I see the 35-50 year old hospital employees (I have 2 classes of them), I am full of excitement, ease, and absolute strategery (such a great non-word.).

This weekend, I'm off to tour wineries and spend time with a good friend.
But, don't let me deceive you. I've been through quite a bit of loneliness before this spurt of friendship and activity has occurred. :) It's SUCH a cultural adjustment and such a WEIRD sensation being on year 2 in a country but in a whole new piece of it... plus knowing that it's only for 10 months... plus meeting all new people all over again. SUCH a challenge mentally, emotionally, physically, all. Insane really.

Ok. White bike, here I come.
Ciao for now! :=)

posted by )(( hannah mello ))( @ 4:07 AM