diciotto giorno

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Today is the calmest and most relaxing day us gals and Italy have seen since we got together. It wasn’t what we had planned and it actually began with a lot of disappointment… But, now that I’m sitting in my hotel room in the middle of the afternoon with my second report all finished and writing you an email, I couldn’t be happier about how it all turned out.

After waking up to two wonderful skype’s with Dad and Gage, we ate breakfast (GRANOLA AND YOGURT! I was in heaven!) and headed out to catch a train and go to the beach. We ended up making 3 different attempts to make it to the beach and never made it.

We got to the train station at 10:02 only to find out that the train we needed to catch was leaving at 10:07. By the time we got through the line to buy our tickets, there was no way we would be able to catch the train, so we decided to bag it. With hopes that another train might come along, we stuck around for a little bit and were delighted to see that the train was delayed 35 minutes. So, with all time we killed, we had 12 minutes to make it through the line and onto the train. We started purchasing our tickets and they ended up being 15 Euros which was more than we were expecting and a lot more than I was willing to spend. Luckily 2 other girls felt the same way, so 3 of us opted out of the trip and the other 5 bought their tickets and ran off to catch the train. Erin, Hilary, and I took our time coming home and stopped and laid out at a park in the middle of town for a while. When we got home, we saw that the other 5 girls beat us back. Turns out, they ran all the way to the train and made it right before the doors closed. As they sat down, it was announced that the train had been cancelled and they needed to get off the train. They tried to get their money back on their tickets but had no luck. They were out 15 Euros (which is like 20-25 US dollars) and had nothing to show for it. After 3 failed attempts, they walked home with their tails between their legs. I felt so bad for them, but at the same time, I couldn’t put into words how grateful I was that I decided not to buy a ticket. I couldn’t even fathom spending that money to go to the beach, I would’ve laid down and cried in the middle of the train station if I spent all that money only to have the train cancelled and no hope of a refund!

SO, we’ve spent the entire day at the hotel and I couldn’t be more grateful! We’re all exhausted after a long week. Next week is jam-packed with 2 different day trips and a weekend getaway to Cinque Terre, so we wanted to rest up before the big week ahead and also try to be as productive as we can before our days get hectic again! We laid around the hotel talking for a little while and then I was able to get my entire report finished and am now writing to ya’ll! I’m going to try and get some research done for our final exam we have to take next week and then go running and work out a little before dinner.

Although the train-station seemed to be a fail this morning, we didn’t leave empty handed. I have found that the Italian train-stations are one of the greatest places to people watch. Even better, it’s filled with couples who haven’t seen each other in who knows how long running with open arms towards one another. It is one of the sweetest and most romantic things I have ever seen. For some reason, the PDA that I would find repulsive in the states is absolutely adorable here in Italy. I guess since it’s a part of the rich culture here, it’s much more bearable. In fact, I almost look forward to seeing it. At home, I’d probably pretend to throw up or mutter under my breath to ‘get a room’, but here I’m practically begging them to keep going at it! Believe me, it’s beautiful!

Today, for instance, on one of our many times walking in and out of the train-station throughout our emotional roller-coaster we witnessed the most beautiful display of affection my eyes have ever seen! We walked past a couple that was hugging and holding onto each other SO tight while both of them had tears streaming down their faces. They finally said their goodbyes and started walking in opposite directions; him heading toward the train and her leaving the station. They would walk a couple steps and then turn around and wave to each other and blow kisses. Eventually, he stopped walking entirely and just stood facing her, watching her walk away with tears rolling down his cheeks. She would turn around and stand on her tippy-toes so she could see him over all the people and smile and wave. She ran across the street and got lost in the crowd, when all of a sudden we see him walking out of the train-station looking for her. We all just stopped dead in our tracks and were captivated in the scene. I even screamed, “Ruuuuuuuun! Run!” I wanted so bad for him to run after her, but instead he calmly walked down the opposite side of the street looking for her. After what seemed like decades, she looked over and her entire face lit up as they made eye contact. He blew her a million kisses and continued to wave to her until she was no longer in sight. It was the sweetest and most adorable thing I’ve ever witnessed. Carly and I looked at each other and we both had tears streaming down our cheeks. How sad and pathetic are we?!? I’m thinking we’re all having some minor testosterone withdrawals because we get so emotional over PDA!

We had a delicious dinner and then walked to the river and watched the sun set from the bridge. It was perfect!

It’s so bloody hot here, the humidity is insane, and the AC in our room is broken… So I just sweated out of every pore in my body as I worked out a little bit and I am ready to pass out and get some rest for our insane week coming up!

Goodnight everyone! Have a wonderful day!

Always,

Wit

Ps, I went to the bathroom in a hole in the ground. SERIOUS. There were two little platforms for your feet to stand on and then a small hole in the ground for you to aim your business in. I could’ve sworn I wasn’t coming to a 3^rd world country! Hahaha!