Tuesday, September 29, 2009

School Daze

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Today was the first day of classes, and all I can say is: It should be interesting. Classes in Italy are set up quite differently from what I'm used to, so it will take some time to adjust. For example - they are on a quarter system here. I have one set of classes from today til the first week of November, then from the second week of November til mid-December is another quarter. Not much time for a class but they cram A LOT in there. Then the exams are after the Christmas break =\ . My classes this quarter are mostly in economics, which as you can guess is not my favorite subject. But I continue to meet new people every day and in my classes everyone is extremely nice, and friendly!
After classes today, one of my new friends (Mr. Popular, from the Friday night post) helped me get a cell phone so I can stay in contact with people here in Italy. Then we started walking around a little and it turned into a personal tour of the city - we'd take back alleys, and he'd stop here and there and say 'this is the best store for music' or 'this is a great place to get nice clothes' or 'this bookstore also serves beer'. You know, useful stuff. He clued me in on some of the politcal stuff that is going on; if you didn't know already, Bologna is a very leftist city because of the big youth population, and there is tons of graffiti (which is all political, not gang-based). I needed clothes and shoes for playing soccer so he showed me the best store for cheap stuff of that nature, so now I am all ready for to play a game tomorrow! I don't know exactly what to expect but it should be an adventure in any case.
When I finally got home (it was a looooong day), my roommates had also just returned with some chinese food (Hah!) Turns out it tastes pretty much the same here as it is in America! Who'da thunk?
We got to talking about games, and I informed them how the drinking game Kings is played... much to their delight it turns out. They cannot wait for a night that we can give it a try.
I'm currently waiting for my first load of laundry in Italy to finish - it's a little bit of an experience, let me tell you. I even had to wash a little by hand, and when it's all done it will be sitting out on the balcony on a clothesline to dry! Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Ho fatto una passegiata

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That means I took a walk. Which is kind of an understatement.

It's Sunday, and there wasn't much going on so I decided to go to the city center and just tool around for a while. The bus system in the city is pretty darn convenient, but I ended up walking to the city center anyway (it's about 78*F in Bologna... sorry Phoenicians). I took the opportunity to see a lot of the touristy type stuff, which you will see here.


This is La Chiesa del Sacro Cuore (Church of the Sacred Heart). It's outside the city center but I pass it on the way to school. To me it doesn't seem like a very old church, maybe built in the 1800s, but I can't seem to find any information about it on the web. Guess I'll have to pay it a visit!



Likewise, I couldn't find any information online about whatever this is. My guess is some ruins from the ancient city wall, but it could be anything.


This is the north entrance to a huge park, il Parco della Montagnola. The whole park is above ground level. I haven't explored anything up top yet but I walk past it on the way to school, so I'm sure I'll make it up there one of these days.


>
Guess what! I couldn't find out any information on what this is either, but it sure looks cool.


This was just a backalley I came across which I thought was kinda neat


Same idea here: just a scenic street I came across


This is the back end of the Palazzo Comunale, more or less the equivalent of City Hall.


There are few aesthetics that giant steel spikes cannot improve


Another back alley view that I found rather striking. You can see one of the towers from the Palazzo in the background.


A view of Piazza Maggiore (great square) and the Palazzo di Re Enzo, which is now another civic building and houses the tourist office and some museums.


A faraway shot of the Fontana del Nettuno (fountain of Neptune) and another view of the Palazzo di Re Enzo.




So how's this for City Hall? These shots are all from the interior courtyard of the Palazzo Comunale.


Another Evergreen grad? Hehe. I was a little worried because I hadn't found any obvious tourist traps yet. Thank God this guy showed up.


The big clocktower on the Palazzo Comunale


One last view of the Palazzo Comunale


The unfinished facade of Basilica di San Petronio, patron saint of Bologna. The basilica is the 5th largest church in the world. During it's several-hundred year construction period, new plans were proposed to enlarge the Basilica to a size greater than that of St Peter's in the Vatican. The Pope was not going to have THAT, so the church actually paid to have other buildings constructed on the sides of the Basilica so that it could not be enlarged.


These grandiose windows line the entire side walls of the Basilica


A detail of the reliefs on the windows


An interesting angle I found at the back of the church.


Detail of the main archway into the Basilica


This shot of the Basilica came out rather majestically, I should say


The Fontana del Nettuno, or Fountain of Neptune, a 16th Century work in the main square


Was this as funny in the 1500s as it is today? I'd like to think so.


Another view of the Palazzo di Re Enzo


A view down one of the side streets shooting off of the Piazza Maggiore


The Due Torri, or Two Towers (Tolkien anyone?) are a major landmark in the University quarter. In medieval times, the richest families in the city built towers to show their wealth. Many were constructed but only a handful remain, with these two being the most famous examples. Apparently one of the student traditions forbids anyone from climbing to the top until they've graduated.


Not sure what this is, but it looks cool.



Some views of a nice, quiet little park off the beaten path where I stopped and had some gelato. And yes, the gelato was EXCELLENT.


I don't know who Ulisse Aldrovandi was, but apparently he was born in this house in 1522. At least he did not live long enough to see the Sun Devils lose in Athens by a field goal in the last 2 seconds of the game.



Bologna boasts the most porticoes of any city in the world, with over 20 miles of porticoed walkways sheltering people from the sun and rain. Legend has it that the porticoed walkways were constructed to allow for extra rooms on top to be built which could then be let out to students.


A view of Piazza Santo Stefano, with Le Sette Chiese (the seven churches) in the background. Yes, at one time there were seven churches in this complex; however only four now remain. This is the same Piazza in which we had some beers the other night. It's a favorite of the locals because it is a little off the beaten path and much quieter than the other piazzas in the University district.


An unusual feature of this piazza: the cobblestones are spaced far enough that some grass grows between them. It's not much but it gives a very distinct character and feeling to the piazza; you almost feel like you're in a park instead of the city center. It's surprisingly tranquil.


Another view of Piazza Santo Stefano; you can see the Asinelli tower (one of the two) in the background.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Friday Night in Bologna

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Some new friends from my program took me out on the town last night, and it was a blast! Let me tell you - Mill Ave has nothing on Bologna. Like most of Italy, the whole city pours out into the streets around 9 or 10 for a walk, a bite to eat, and just to socialize. But then in the University sector, more or less all 80k+ students are out in force. It's like Vegas; you can walk around with a drink, the best places are Italian (Bellagio, Battista's), and I saw Wayne Newton. Ok not that last one. But at least everything isn't Vegas priced!

We started the night at an Irish pub that looked like anything we'd have back home. Then we went some place where we got free beer and free shots because one of the guys in our group new someone there (still the best way to get anything done in Italy - also it turns out he knew everyone in Bologna, every 5 minutes we stopped so he could say hi to someone). We took our alcoholic booty to a beautiful little Piazza (Santo Stefano, seen above), where we sat for a long time and chatted, and where I was promptly taught some very important Italian phrases (mostly having to do with girls). Some friends of the guy I mentioned earlier met up with us, one of which was an American girl from Aspen. We walked around for a while, got some food at a Sicilian place which had an interesting little potato-ball-filled-with-pot-roast thing, and then went to another pub. We talked politics there for a while then ventured out again and this time ended up in a disco (not like John Travolta - in Europe the dance clubs are all called discos). It was a veritable festa di salsiccia in there (I'll let you translate that for yourselves) but we had a good time, and man did they make their drinks strong. I don't remember the last time I tasted alcohol in a drink I bought at a club. No need to flask it here! After this I had the pleasure of my first ride on a scooter, which was much less scary because there was no one else driving the streets at 3am.

Now it's the weekend and I'm not really sure what to do - I may venture out into the markets to get some of the stuff I need which I didn't bring. Should be an interesting day again!

Friday, September 25, 2009

First Day in Bologna

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Even though I arrived early yesterday, I really consider today to be my first real day exploring the city. The room I am renting is a ways from the University, so I knew I was in for a good walk already. But let me tell you, Italian streets are nothing like the streets back home. Throw a map of Phoenix in the blender, toss it on the counter and that should give you an idea of how the streets are set up. I was lost for a good hour today, but even when I knew where I was going on the way back it still took about a 45 minute walk. But the consolation is that said walk is through a beautiful and vibrant medieval city! Here are some highlights from today:


-Got lost in northern Bologna. Finally found my way to the city center, where I promptly got lost again. The signs that said "Univeristy" with the big arrow pointing one way, which I obediently followed, well it turns out they were pointing to the Hotel University, a good distance from the *actual* University. DOH.

-Got to meet a lot of people that will be in my program during an orientation meeting. Turns out they all speak better English than I do. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing yet. Also, tentatively joined a futbol squad! I have to make do with something without those guys'-night basketball games.

-Our advisor/director person was going to walk me through some of the administrative processes for the University and the police this morning, but I arrived a little late because I had been LOST for an hour this morning. When I got there we filled out the paperwork but didn't bother to go to any of the offices to turn it in, because she said it was too late. It was 10:30 in the morning. This is why I love Italy!

-As I walked home, I passed a guy in a kilt. No explanation given, none asked, none needed.


Later tonight a bunch of us from the program are getting together for a drink in the city center. Should be interesting!
Oh, and PS - the picture at the beginning of this post is the view from our balcony. Also, somewhere over there is where the opera lady lives!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Just Arrived!

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Here I am, finally arrived in Bologna after 18 hours of flights and layovers. The flights really weren't as bad as I imagined they'd be. I actually managed to sleep through most of them. Some funny things I saw along the way:
-The Smoker Zoo: in Frankfurt's airport, there are designated smoking areas. By designated smoking areas, I mean there are big glass boxes that people stand in and smoke while everyone walks by and stares at them. It was pretty bizzare-o, and I felt like I was watching animals at the zoo. Stinky animals.
-Lavazza coffee ads: Again in the Frankfurt airport, there were ads all over the place for Lavazza espresso. Everyone knows Europe is a little more 'open', so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that most of the ads featured a nubile young lady emerging from a water fountain with her wet dress clinging to her body and revealing pretty much everything. Why that is needed to sell what is basically an addictive substance I don't know, but I wasn't about to file any complaints.
-I tried calling my new friend and landlady Maria as soon as I landed at the airport. The payphone said local calls cost .13E, but it only took credit cards so I couldn't use the few eurocoins I had already acquired. So I swiped my card, dialed the number, never got a dialtone, and after about 30 seconds of dead-air I gave up, with which I was rewarded with statement from the phone that my card had been charged 4.5E. Thanks.
-Maria picked me up at the airport and took me to my new home. When we arrived, another roommate (Alice) was there, so we all sat around chatting. About 10 minutes later, the sound of opera filled the air. Yes, there is a real live opera singer somewhere around where I live, and apparently she likes to treat the neighborhood to a few songs here and there. Ah, Italy.

Well, I think it's time for a nap. More to come later.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Almost there!

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Well, I'm back in LA for the 4th time. I found out yesterday morning that I'd been approved for the visa (thank GOD), so I made the trip back here to pick it up (I had to leave my passport at the Consulate as part of the application process). Also, I get to hang out with Logan, Lane, and their kids (2 boxers and 3 cats) for the last time, until they come visit me in Italy that is.


So now that this final step is in place, it's official; next Tuesday morning, the 23rd, I am on a plane out of Sky Harbor bound for Bologna by way of Chicago and Frankfurt. I have to chuckle to myself a little bit, because honestly I don't know how I pulled this off! A lot of help and support from my family and friends is the answer.


Having said that, I'd like to give a few shout outs:

-Again, to my family and friends, for all the support they've given me as I pursued this crazy dream.

-To my bosses and coworkers, who were EXTREMELY flexible with me throughout the whole process

-To Logan and Lane, for opening their home to me many times so that I wouldn't have to stay in a hotel or make turnaround trips

-To Kevin, because there was that one time after our Vietnam class sophomore year when we were walking down Palm Walk; it was SO hot, and there was a guy giving out free soda and pizza for applying for a credit card - we took one look at each other and decided it was worth it just for the soda. And without that credit card (which was raised to a ginormous limit back when the economy wasn't in shambles), this trip would not be possible! Life's funny, huh?

-Specifically, to Mom and Dad, without whom I could not even dream of doing this. Not only because without them, I wouldn't exist - but because they have always supported me 110% in everything I've wanted to do: emotionally, financially, and even when I just needed to borrow the damn car. Thanks guys.


Of course there are lots of people out there that I owe a lot to, but I just wanted to give a quick shout out while I had this all on my mind. I truly hope all of you, my family and friends, will be able to come visit me in Italy while I'm there so that I can return the favor of your support!


I have one week left here in the good ol' US of A before I will be parting for 2 years. A week is not even enough time to do everything that needs to be done before I leave, much less see everyone that I'd like to see before I go. If for some reason we don't get to do that lunch, or meet for that drink, or whatever it is, believe me I will miss you just the same; so take it as an opportunity to come join me for that drink in Italy!


Saturday, September 5, 2009

The Next Step

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I just returned from my latest trip to Los Angeles, where the 'local' Italian Consular office is located. This time it was for my actual Student Visa application, which had to be done in person. I was pretty nervous about it until just this last Wednesday because one of the required documents for the visa was proof of lodging (ie a letter from a landlord saying they would be renting a room to me in Bologna). Sounds simple to get, right? WRONG. Since August 3rd (when I was officially notified of my acceptance by the school) I have sent out emails to literally hundreds of people renting out rooms in Bologna, and finally, FINALLY I was able to get what I needed from a nice young landlady this last Wednesday. Talk about coming in under the wire... That was the last document I needed, so I went to my appointment for the application this morning, and everything went smoothly. The lady from the visa department looked over my docs, and didn't indicate that there would be any problems. However I won't officially know for about another 1-2 weeks whether the application was approved or not. So now I just have to sit and wait to hear back!

Sidenote: Tomorrow, ASU has their first football game. There are many things I will miss about home when I'm away, but right near the top of that list is going to be Sundevil football. Go Devils!