Unlike most places in America that are paved smooth with asphalt, all of Rome's streets are cobblestones. Not only does it take some time getting used to walking on the uneven surface, but it takes a toll on one's shoes! Before coming to Rome, I received a new pair of boots for Christmas. I wear them almost every day and as you can imagine, the heals of my boots have worn down to reveal the material underneath the rubber sole. Today, I decided that I would ask the Pantheon office assistant if there is a place nearby that I would be able to go to to resole my shoes. The woman said yes and circled on a map where one was located. She also wrote me down a phrase that I needed to say to the cobbler. I decided that I would then go to the cobbler to get an estimate of the price it was cost to repair my shoes. I walked into the small store down a side street and said to the man what I had been told to say: Devo resvolare la scarpa. The cobbler looks at me as if I need to continue saying something and I just stand there smiling. I'm then confused and I say, "Parlo italiano un po." That's when I realize he speaks no English. He's now talking to me in Italian. I'm confused and try showing him the heals of my boots. In Italian I ask how much: Quanto costa? He replies by saying, "Dieci euros." In my head I am saying, "Crap...I know how to count! How much is that? Oh right, that means ten." He continues to say "Domani" which means tomorrow. I'm sure he thought I was going to try to leave my boots with him today without having another pair of shoes to walk out of the store in! I replied with "si" and tried to think of how to say I will return tomorrow, yet all I could think was how to say it in Spanish. Frazzled, I said in English that I will be back tomorrow. I thanked him ("Grazie mille") and left the store. Tomorrow, I hope to drop off my shoes...in the meantime, I am going to be practicing my Italian.
Showing posts with label This article was written by Sarah Knowles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label This article was written by Sarah Knowles. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
New Soles
Unlike most places in America that are paved smooth with asphalt, all of Rome's streets are cobblestones. Not only does it take some time getting used to walking on the uneven surface, but it takes a toll on one's shoes! Before coming to Rome, I received a new pair of boots for Christmas. I wear them almost every day and as you can imagine, the heals of my boots have worn down to reveal the material underneath the rubber sole. Today, I decided that I would ask the Pantheon office assistant if there is a place nearby that I would be able to go to to resole my shoes. The woman said yes and circled on a map where one was located. She also wrote me down a phrase that I needed to say to the cobbler. I decided that I would then go to the cobbler to get an estimate of the price it was cost to repair my shoes. I walked into the small store down a side street and said to the man what I had been told to say: Devo resvolare la scarpa. The cobbler looks at me as if I need to continue saying something and I just stand there smiling. I'm then confused and I say, "Parlo italiano un po." That's when I realize he speaks no English. He's now talking to me in Italian. I'm confused and try showing him the heals of my boots. In Italian I ask how much: Quanto costa? He replies by saying, "Dieci euros." In my head I am saying, "Crap...I know how to count! How much is that? Oh right, that means ten." He continues to say "Domani" which means tomorrow. I'm sure he thought I was going to try to leave my boots with him today without having another pair of shoes to walk out of the store in! I replied with "si" and tried to think of how to say I will return tomorrow, yet all I could think was how to say it in Spanish. Frazzled, I said in English that I will be back tomorrow. I thanked him ("Grazie mille") and left the store. Tomorrow, I hope to drop off my shoes...in the meantime, I am going to be practicing my Italian. 
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Benvenuta a Roma!
Today I arrived safely in Rome after a long day of traveling. I started out my day yesterday, Thursday, January 6th, in the Providence airport and took a short flight to Philadelphia where I waited to board my flight to Rome.As I sat waiting for my zone to be called to board, I realized that not knowing much Italian is going to be difficult. I turned to the man who was sitting next to me to ask him a question about needing to check in with the front desk at the gate. He looked at me puzzled and said "I don't speak much English." By the time I boarded the plane I realized it was no use trying to engage the man next to me in conversation. Not only did he not speak English, but he did not appear to be in a good mood. So, we sat in silence for 8 hours.
I tried so hard to sleep while on the plane yet was unable to sleep a wink. I didn't sleep much the night before in hope that would help me drift into a sound slumber. However, no matter how tried, I was the uncomfortable position of my body and neck proved to keep me awake. The flight attendants "woke" us up at 8am (2am EST) to give us a danish and coffee for breakfast.
Around 9am (3am EST) we landed in Rome. I was amazed at how beautiful and green the landscape is! It is also a beautiful 60 degrees Farenheit (a little warmer than I had anticipated). It took me a while to retreive my luggage from baggage claim and I then dashed off to terminal 3 where I was to meet a group of 21 students who were getting a shuttle to the Pantheon Institute. I went to the designated spot we were told to go to and no one was there. I knew they were to leave at 10:30am yet
my watch only said 10am. Well, I decided that it was no use trying to track down a shuttle full of people I didn't know and decided to find my own way to get to the housing department, where I was to be heading. An older man who was calling taxis for people noticed me in my state of confusion and was kind enough to help. I went on a flat fee shuttle that took me straight to the housing department.After I filled out all the necessary paperwork that was needed, I was handed the key to my apartment. The apartment is located in Trastevere in Santa Maria in Cappella in an old Roman neighborhood. The building I am living in was built in 1192 and has the largest private garden in Rome. I live with 14 other students in the fourth floor apartment and my roommate is another girl from Connecticut College. Tomorrow is the start of orientation, but right now all I am looking forward to is a good night's sleep!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)