Caffe' e il mio weekend

Its 11am. Running on 4 hours of sleep. Made it through the first 2 hours of Italian class. Struggling...to...keep...eyes...open....

But no fear! What's this? An espresso machine in the hallway of my school?!?

yup.

And it isn't like some cheap version of the good stuff (or maybe it is, and my American palette can't tell the difference). Figuring out how to use this machine was the highlight of my day. First, choose your type of caffe: espresso, macchiatto (a "spotting" of steamed milk), cappuccino, etc. Then pick how many sugars you want. Press Enter and enjoy the sweet sweet sound of fresh espresso beans grinding. As if I didn't love Italy enough.

Why had I only had 4 hours of sleep, you ask? Apparently American undergraduate college kids aren't the only ones who consider Thursday the official start to the weekend. The diversity of the people I'm meeting still shocks me. The kids upstairs (italians, brits and polish) have lived here for the past year, so they know other students living nearby. They have been incredible at making my roommates and I feel welcome -- inviting us to dinner, introducing us to their friends, etc. 

Interesting things I've learned in the past 24 hours:

1. Brits practice their American accents -- apparently we sound glamorous, "like we're from Hollywood".

2. They also don't think all of America is like the Jersey Shore (yes, I asked them). In fact, they have an equally atrocious equivalent: The Geordie Shore

3. Europeans take soccer very seriously (I mean FOOTBALL. sorry.)

3. **Italian men are just as aggressive as everyone warned me. Also they pull at my hair -- rude.

4. Having Italian roommates helps when doing grammar worksheets for homework.

My Italian is coming along quite nicely -- I even understood what the woman at the gym said to me today! Ciao ciao ciaaaaaoo, parlo Italiano ;) ;)

Also, gelato is becoming a daily routine (pistachio...mmm....)

Buona serata! M

PS If you were as equally in disbelief that Jersey Shore exists in England, here is a clip of the hilarious opening credits:

**I would also like to point out that not ALL Italians are creepy. But many of the ones in the bars are entirely too pushy.I happen to adore my Italian friends, who came to my female friends' and my rescue when we were getting unwanted attention. When in Europe, travel in packs!