Well yesterday started off wonderful with me catching up on some much needed rest. They kept asking me all day if I was tired, but I would always say that I am still ready to go. It all eventually caught up with me once night came. I wound up sleeping for at least 10 hours and here I thought I got enough sleep on the plane. When I finally decided to get up it was already lunch time. The funny thing is after lunch everyday we have a siesta, or what I like to call a two hour nap period, so of course having slept most of the day I stayed up and finished unpacking. Once everyone was well rested after their two hour nap I followed Andy and Matt into the shop to see how things were done. I was in amazement of how well they both spoke and understood Italian, while as for me if I got any questions I would just have a dumb look on my face not knowing how to even say "I don't understand". Well I guess that shows how much of a head start they both have had, but there is still no excuse.
Since it was Andy's last night with us we had a huge celebration, well as huge as it could be in a monastery with only a few monks, but there were some of the other workers there as well. We all sat down and enjoyed Andy's favorite dishes throughout the year he was there along with some of the funny stories we heard about his and Eli's adventures. To tell you the truth most of the really hilarious stories were of Eli. If you know who Eli is then you know what kind of stories to imagine. After the dinner was over, Andy, Matt, and I had a few drinks to celebrate his "graduation" for Subiaco. We began to reminisce about what we have done in our lives thus far and what we plan to do in the future. It was a long and eventful night full of laughter and sadness. On a personal note I wish I had come a little sooner to actually get to know Andy better. It turns out that we have met before through a mutual friend. If only I could turn back the hands of time, but was has past is now over.
Today was another day that I can chalk up to experience. Working in the shop with Matt when there was a mad rush of people trying to purchase things; everyone screaming in Italian with Matt as the only one who could understand. I felt horrible since I was also sitting there, but couldn't be of any help. I did however figure out how to make sales and read the register. I guess I am slowly improving, even though I would love to improve a lot quicker. That's why tonight Matt and I had a study session where he taught me some common phrases while I tested his knowledge on words. I think it was very helpful not only speaking the words, but also writing them down as well. I figure in about two weeks or so I should be on the same level as Matt was after his two weeks, if not higher.
My study session wasn't the only exciting thing that happened today (you can see how simple my life has become), but I was able to be a part of a wedding. Well, not really, but I did get to see an Italian wedding. I helped set up and break down the church while learning a little Italian. I can pick up on some things and just guess on others. It also helps that they try to communicate to me with bits and pieces of English mixed with Italian. For those of you who repeatedly told me that I would fall in love and marry some Italian girl and how I said that would never happen, well I think I need to rephrase that statement. It would be best to say that it might not happen, leaving a small window open for the possibility, and I will let it at that. Well, expect some more interesting stories from me shortly as I continue my journey into the unknown.
A domani ( Until tomorrow )
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