Friday, September 2, 2011

Where the f*@# do you find a cheap hair straightener?

So today is officially my third day here in Firenze, Italia. These past three days have been a whirlwind of confusion, awe, and a whole lot of frustration. Don't get me wrong, I am absolutely thrilled to have this opportunity to go abroad, but let me tell you, culture shock is not some made-up phenomenon. That shit is REAL.

Day 1: So I arrived at JFK after a three and a half hour drive from CT after having to stop to pee about 700 times due to my immense nerves. We easily checked my baggage, and praise the lord, both were under the weight limit (which is probably because I neurotically used a luggage scale to weigh them 6 times a day prior to my departure). After having lunch with my parents, I had to shuffle my way through the insanely long security line, and after that, it was a blur. I threw my stuff in bins and was herded through the line until somehow, I ended up on the other side, and found my gate. I met up with my friend, Aislinne, who I am living with here, and we passed the time until boarding chatting and praying we got to sit near each other.

However, when I got on the plane, a Marist girl decided she didn't feel like sitting next to me and would rather find a seat with her friends. So, apparently, it was fine to have me sit with a random old guy instead. Luckily, after awkward silence for awhile, we bonded, and he told me about how he was flying to Rome to see his wife and daughter who he had been unable to see in over 6 months. We joked about how long it took to get the 8 hour flight in motion. Alas, the plane took off, and the journey officially began. I spent the entire 8 hours not sleeping a wink. I did watch two movies, though. Props to Alitalia for offering those for free. When we got into the airport in Rome around 3am in the U.S./9am there, we had to go through security AGAIN, and the lady at the gate decided to check my freaking carry-on bag, even though it was under the weight limit...because the plane was full. I was about to flip a shit because that was where I'd put all my essentials and clothes in case my bags were to arrive late to Florence, but thank god, all of my baggage arrived on time. Anyway, I sat down on the plane (and talk about culture shock), and an Italian woman sat down with her crying child, whipped out her boob, and just started breast feeding...right there...while the baby kicked me for literally the entire flight. I mean, I knew Italians were open, but that was pretty awkward. So I survived the flights, got a taxi with Kate & Aislinne, my housemates, and made it to our lovely apartment in Firenze!
When we got there, instead of an LDM/Marist staff member greeting us, an Italian kid with dreads and a cigarette, tried to carry our bags up. I had to be kind of rude and tell him no...because all I needed was a theft on the first day there. Once we made it up to the apt, all of the housemates decided to take a walk around, try to find some toiletries, and of course, the coveted blow dryers and straighteners we had to leave behind. Well, funny thing was, it was siesta time in Firenze....and nothing was open. So we wandered the streets in 95 degree weather aimlessly.

That night, we found a small trattoria down the street, where we we were able to have our first real Italian meal outdoors by candlelight. We had a waiter who actually spoke really good English, told us that if we pronounced penne wrong, that meant penis, and gave us free drinks...even though I don't drink, that was exciting because we're actually legal here. And after that...we crashed.



Day 2: Orientation! We had  to sit through some awkward speakers, some good ones, and some just trying to sell us things, but all the information was overall quite valuable. We learned about the dangers of gypsies for the millionth time, the risks of public intoxication, and the LDM's policy for trying to scare you shitless into never missing class.

Then again, we went on a hunt for hair supplies. Straighteners and blowdryers are a) impossible to find and b) really outrageously expensive. Where the hell is the Italian Wal-Mart? That's what I'm wondering. We pretty much decided you need to be in an exclusive club to have access to the underground hair supply layer underneath the city.

We did get a chance to see the area in Florence with the designer stores, such as Gucci and Prada, which is equivalent to 5th Ave. in NYC. Then we saw the beautiful duomo and got to wander around the main plaza for a bit to take in the scenery. Then, exhausted and sweating after walking around all day in nearly 100 degree heat, we got home and pretty much ate dinner...then collapsed. Aimee, my roommate, and I stayed in and just caught up on rest while the rest of the house went out. I should probably go out at some point and attempt visiting a bar or club just to take in the night life culture, even though it totally isn't my thing. It may be a good idea to try every now and again, though I'm not super thrilled about it.


Today: I slept. And wrote this blog. We'll hopefully be going out to just buy a freaking blowdryer and straightener to share so it's just done with then go find the River Arno and enjoy the view. I miss everyone from home, especially my boyfriend, and am looking forward to my first weekend of traveling to Verona & the Alps. :)

















1 comment:

  1. Hi, I just stumbled upon your blog. It has actually been super helpful! I am leaving in 2 months for a semester at LDM in Florence. So question, where did you end up finding a blow dryer or curling iron? DO you mind emailing me the answer at chicstreetstyle@gmail.com?

    Thanks!
    XoXo Brenna
    www.chicstreetstyle.me

    ReplyDelete