Outside Istituto Venezia: my school for the next 4 weeks

Day One: April 2, 2024

Ok, I was a bundle of nerves this morning, not just due to starting my language class BUT also because Jamie is heading home today. What seemed like a perfectly reasonable and exciting adventure now is an actuality and wow am I ever nervous to be on my own. Why the hell did I make this happen?? Oh yeah, the desire within to speak a second language. Spanish would be the more useful choice, but anyone who knows me realizes practicality has never been my strong suit. Italian is soooo beautiful… so sexy… and with some luck, maybe Jamie and I will live in Venice one day.  I do realize my time here this month is a very special opportunity and vow to make the most of it.

Jamie walked me to the campo near the school, Istituto Venezia. We stopped in a bar, which is what they call a cafe, sat in the sun and enjoyed a latte macchiato before my first class. We said our good-byes. A few times. Then, a few kisses. Yelled “Ciao” to each other multiple times like the weirdos we are, me on the steps leading up to the class. And that was that.

During the first 15 minutes of class, I had trouble understanding basically everything and thought perhaps they had placed me too far ahead. But it grew easier the more I listened to the teacher. She speaks slowly and without using any English makes things more clear. We have to speak and present to the class often, often my worst nightmare, but somehow it’s not difficult this time. Va bene!!

School is 3.5 hours long. There is a 30 minute break in there as well where I popped out for another macchiato in the campo to enjoy the sun. It rained all weekend so the sun is very welcomed today by all. I got through the day unscathed and actually enjoyed it more than I expected. I also didn’t expect the fatigue I experienced this afternoon. I didn’t sleep well last night, but I think it had more to do with not being used to work or school responsibilities for quite a long time.

I ate lunch by myself right next to the Grand Canal. Spaghetti Vongole. And a glass of white wine and sparkling water. Why not? The sun is bright, boats are passing by, it has all the makings of a perfect lunch BUT I’m not very comfortable eating alone. Hopefully this gets easier.

I walked to Piazzale Roma to purchase a special pass for students for the vaporetti, the public boats that make stops around the city. Normally a ride costs 9.50 euros per day for non-residents, but I am able to purchase a year-long foreign resident pass along with a monthly vaporetto pass for the discounted price of 47 euros total. I am so excited that I figured out how to get this, even though the entire transaction was completed in English. Just happy I figured out where to go and how to do it. Small victories!

Back at the apartment I discovered Jamie unfortunately took my apple watch cord along with his own so I went out in search of one nearby. I found one in a nearby shop, however it didn’t work with my watch when I got back so BACK to the Chinese owned store to exchange it. They were very good about the exchange, too.

I also enjoyed a leisurely late afternoon walk, what the Italians call a passeggiata,  plus a long sunny sit by the lagoon watching all the boats go by. It was beautiful and I enjoyed  it BUT I must say that I also was feeling extremely lonely and missing Jamie more than I imagined possible. Plus, I saw at least 10 daschunds today which make me miss Cluney as well.

Dinner was pecorino cheese and bread because why not? Homework, this blog, and I think a little Netflix before bed.

Ciao for now…

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