Ciao Italia!

I am finally here in Siena, Italy and it has been a long trip!! After some set backs at the airport on Wednesday morning, I was on my way. Saying goodbye was harder than before, and I was definitely the crying person people try not to look at on the plane. Luckily one of the girls I was travelling with, Megan, was in the same boat and we mde each other laugh predicting what people were thinking about the two of us. We met up with another AHAer, Lisa, in Washington DC and together made it through the fairly confusing Munic airport, and on to Florence where customs are non existent and finding the bus station shuttle was more difficult than one would think. From Florence, we caught a bus to Siena. It was a great way to see the country side. The whole time I was thinking 'I'm really in Tuscany.... This is Tuscany...' It seemed unreal, and it still does.

Siena is a gorgeous city. It's everything one would think Italy to be. It has tiny, cobblestone streets, lots of cafes, gelaterias, clothing shops, and beautiful people are walking around everywhere. That is one thing that has surprised me- the number of people who are walking on the streets. They are all ages, and you find the streets crowded well into the early morning. Italy has a new anti-terrorism law which bans people from staying over night at someones house unless they are registered with the police. Guests must be gone by 11 pm which is one reason I think the streets are so crowded so late.

I've met some really great people here so far. I've just moved into my apartment. It's actually more like a dorm, but it turns out that I've got one of the best places in the city. I share a room with another girl on my program, Carolyn, from Washington state. She has been here since summer so she really knows her way around. We have 2 beds, 2 dresses, 2 desks, and arm chair in our room. We share 2 bathrooms and a kitchen with the rest of the floor. Altogether, there will be about 10 girls living on my floor, some of which will be from UC Siena program. There is another girl who arrived here today from Costa Rica- she is all on her own! Anyway, the ten girls will be nothing compared to the sorority house! We have wireless internet in our rooms which is almost unheard of in Italy. We are the only ones who have internet in our apartments- everyone has to use the school, or internet cafes. We also have heat, TV, a phone, and our land lords ( 3 very nice younger Italian guys) clean our rooms and change our sheets once a week as well as provide towels once a week. I am exteremely lucky to have this!! Two other girls in the AHA program live next door, Erin and Hannah. Erin and I have become good friends. Erin came over with a friend, Caroline, who is roomates with the Lisa I travelled with. The 4 of us hang out a lot and get along really well. It's nice to already have friends.


School starts on Monday and I must say I am excited for it. I'm eager to begin Italian again so I will have an easier time communicating with people here. While many people speak English, I want to try to talk with them in English. I am taking an Art History course that concentrates mostly on Tuscan, Renisannce artists and how they protray people. I've met my instructor and he seems like a very nice, very funny man. It sounds like we will be taking lots of field trips so I am excited! Mostly, I am happy to have a schedule to follow and something to occupy my time. I have to admit, I am homesick. I forgot about how hard the first part is- there are times I want to cry, throw up and laugh all at the same time. I'm surrounding myself with the friends I have made and have reverted to some taticts that helped me get through Australia (listening to music to hepl me fall asleep, reading, journaling). I know soon things will be amazing though because everyone here seems to love it.

That is all for now! A group of us are gathering at an apartment (only till 11 though!) to cook dinner and hang out. I'll try to keep updating this as much as I can to keep people posted on what I am doing over here. Soon I will have pictures as well! If you want, e-mail me at nalvey@uoregon.edu. Now that I have wireless internet, e-mailing should be much easier. I will be getting an Italian Cell phone soon and have a phone line people can call. I hope everyone is doing well in the States! I miss everyone and am excited to see you all son!

Ciao!
Noelle