3/1/09
I. Am. Exhausted.
Friday was, yet again, a good day. Alyssa went out to walk around in the afternoon, making stops at the phone store, the bus station, and McDonalds. Which were great and productive? All of the above. We made a quick stop at the grocery store to get things for dinner that night, but I still need to go make a major run, seeing as I’m now out of milk, juice, eggs, and bread. That evening, Alyssa and I went over to a girl’s apartment from our Italian class named Savannah (who, p.s., has a rad apartment) to study for the quiz on Monday. There were about six of us there from the class, and while we didn’t study 100% of the time, it was nice to hang out with them. We had to leave early because of our plans for the night, so we rushed home (good thing she didn’t live far away) to shower, make dinner, etc. We then went out to the discotech, which is pretty typical, especially for this week (though I’m not sure why), and met up with the boys. It was packed and we all danced and had a great time. Once again, the time got away from us and we didn’t get home until late. Ooooofta.
Yesterday was a big day in a big way. We got up in what could be classified as “morning” but the normal world, so early for a Saturday. After packing some sammies, we walked to the bus station to go to San Gimignano. Mr. Bus Man told us the easiest way was to take the Siena bus and switch… though he didn’t say where. So we missed our first bus stop in the town we didn’t know we were supposed to know. On the way to Siena, Alyssa asked the driver where we should get off, and he replied that we missed our stop. He graciously stopped another bus going to San Gimignano, and we ran through the traffic to get on it. Also, his horn sounded like an ice cream truck. Through all the driving, we think we miss the stop to San G., so we’re about to get off the bus again, when the driver tells us we haven’t gone there yet. After 3 hours, we make it to San Gimignano. Keep in mind it should’ve taken us 1 hour and 15 min. to get there. Way to go, us. Eventually, we enter through the gate to the impressively walled town. Once we were there, we had a great time. We looked in all the shops, climbed to the top of the town and up a small tower. You can see in every direction for a billion miles, I’m pretty sure. After we felt we had explored the town sufficiently, we found a cute restaurant in the main square to eat dinner at. While Colleen ate her chicken, Alyssa and I got hot chocolate that resembled hot pudding in the best way. With plenty of time back, we made our way to the bus stop. We get off to switch busses at the main bus building. We wait. It says the next bus to Florence is in 5 minutes, so we wait. Then it disappears from the board. No such bus came. Crabby and angry at public transportation, we go to sit inside. A half hour later, an American comes up and asks me if I’m lost. I reply that we were waiting for a bus that disappeared and now we have to wait. His friend comes to join him, and their both dressed in suits which makes me think, “hmmmm.” They’re wearing name tags, but I don’t want to stare, and, besides, they’re offering to help me get home. They take me to the other room just as the train to Florence is leaving. Bummer. They offer to help me buy tickets for the next train, which is in an hour. I ask them what they’re deal is (politely), and it turns out, oh, hey, they’re Mormon missionaries doing their 2-year duty in Siena. Apparently, my helplessness called to their vow of charity. We went to go check the next bus, and it turns out we’ve been reading the wrong sign for busses. “Placeplace via Firenze” is a street in the stupid town we were stuck in. And the next bus to Florence wasn’t for an hour and a half. Aaaawwweeesssooommmeee. I find my roommates, the Mormons explain how they’re Mormon, and we take them up on their offer to help us get tickets. The Mormons get us good to go, we thank them, then they scurry off to do their Mormon deeds. We find a wooden bench, because the metal chairs were cold on our butts. Tired, frustrated, and cold, we start playing the game “I went to visit the Queen and I brought….” We got to “Quints” when four random 26-year-old Italians come up an invite us to help celebrate their friend’s birthday. They’re all wine makers and just happened to bring their wine in celebration for their friend. Um, ok? How do we meet these people? Anyway, we talk to them, and they’re on our train, so we sit with them on the train. Names were a difficult thing for them. “Colleen” was the easiest one, but sometimes came out “Colleeny.” “Alyssa” they could say, but they often confused it was “Anastasia.” “Allie,” well… they couldn’t get the “a” sound, and it was sometime “Aleene” but usually “Airline.” Finally “Alassandra” they got. This put us in a significantly better mood for the train ride back. We tried to speak as much Italian as possible, and helped them with their English. Shortly before we reach the station the “birthday boy” tells us his birthday is December 9… They said they just wanted an excuse to talk to us and couldn’t think of another reason, which is kind of funny. Anyway, we tell them we’ll see them at the club they were going to, which had live music, which I’m all about. Plus, they all liked The Beatles, The Who, the Chili Peppers, Janis Joplin, The Police, and The Doors so how bad could the club be? They said it was called “Lunas” and “Lunus.” Turns out the club was really called “Loonees.” We made it there eventually, and they were very nice. The music was good (Chili Peppers, Beatles, U2, the Police, etc.), the company was good, and one of their girlfriends said I spoke Italian well, so that made me happy. We left fairly early because we were all tired from the busses, trains, and walking, but I’m glad we went because it was fun. And we got Kabobs on the way home so… cha-ching.
Today I’ve literally done nothing. I know I said something similar about Friday, but today I have literally done nothing. At least Friday, the late afternoon and evening were productive, but today I’ll have none of that! Going out to places with people 5 nights in a row has made me exhausted, and I’m ready to spend the evening at home. Aside from going to use some free internet at Friends bar, I’m going to stay in my bed. It’s been grand so far. Alyssa is even picking up milk and oranges for me, so I don’t have to go grocery shopping until tomorrow. Money. I have some more work to do (study more for Italian and write a movie response, maybe start a paper), but it’s totally do-able. I’m also going to look up flights to Granada tonight for going over Easter to visit Elisa! Woo hoo!! Also, I had avocado today, and it made me think of Colleen. Also I lost an earring backing and I found it, which hardly ever happens, so that was great. Ok. That’s all for now.