at the gate

My plane departs at 5:45 PM, less than two hours from now. I'm sitting at the gate, wasting time, listening to (for some reason) Journey's Greatest Hits. Some of these are really bad.

Anyhow, yesterday was my only full day in New York, and I had a blast! Waking up at the decent time of 9:30, I took a shower and left Bea's apartment at 10. I walked to the United Nations Headquarters and looked around a bit, grabbing a donut and coffee for breakfast on the way. From the UN, I walked west straight to Times Square. It was a complete shitshow, just as I expected, but I really enjoyed it. I guess part of me is captivated by all the lights and signs, even if it is disgustingly touristy. I went into the Toys 'R' Us (or however you spell the name of that stupid store' does it really have two apostrophes?) and walked around. I didn't find any fun World Cup toys, though, which was disappointing. Mostly I just walked up Broadway after that. These billboards of course reminded me of Ada and Alyson.

I'd seen the first half of the Japan-Paraguay game while I was getting ready to leave Bea's apartment, but I decided my time was too valuable to sit inside all day, and so I left at halftime. But walking around the city, Evan kept me updated on the score, and when it became clear that the game was likely to end at a 0-0 draw, I decided I had to find somewhere to watch the PK shootout. And so I stopped outside of this Irish Pub, where a crowd was gathering. There were several huge televisions inside, and the doors were open, and we watched the final minutes, followed by the shootout. I was disappointed when Paraguay scored their fifth goal and knocked Japan out of the tournament, but I'm glad I got to see a game go to PK's. Unfortunately, now all of my preferred teams are out of the tournament. I'll definitely still watch and keep up in Italy, but it won't be the same having no vested interest in who wins games. But that's what I get for choosing up-and-coming teams to favor instead of the big dogs. Well, I did favor Italy, which could have been a big dog. But no.

After the game ended, we dispersed, and I continued north toward Columbus Circle. I crossed into Central Park, I meandered for a few minutes among some of the large rocks, debated running through a playground with fountains to cool down, decided against getting my camera, phone, and Zune wet, and decided to leave. I cannot say I'm a huge fan of Central Park. I'm sure there are nice, relatively quiet parts, but I didn't have time to explore the entire place, and there were just throngs of tourists, who I didn't feel like being around. In Times Square, the business is fun, but in a park, I look for a different atmosphere. So I walked back down toward Madison Square Park, passing Times Square again along the way. I was disappointed that the Virgin Megastore was no longer there (although I knew they had closed, so I hadn't expected otherwise), and surprised to find that ESPN Zone was closed.

By the time I got to Madison Square Park, my feet were aching. Having unwisely used my cash that morning, it took me a few minutes to find a small store that sold Snapple and took credit. I love Snapple. Snapple is my New York drink. But I took my Snapple to the park (which was also more crowded than the evening before) and studied for a bit. At some point, it occurred to me that I hadn't thought to check out Little Italy, and I decided to head toward Bea's nearby to regroup and see if it were possible to get there before too late. This journey from and eventually back to Bea's gave me several blisters. I used Google Maps to map it, and discovered that if I had taken the most direct route to each place I went (which I didn't) and excluded my meandering in Central Park (20 or 25 minutes), I walked about 6.4 miles. So I estimate something over seven miles. I don't know if my directions are going to show up on this map. If not, sorry for the useless map of New York. The internet here is a little too slow to toy around with for long.

View Larger Map

According to Wikipedia, Little Italy in Manhattan has been almost completely absorbed by Chinatown, but I decided instead to go to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, the "Little Italy" in which A Bronx Tale and many other books and movies take place. I'd never been to the Bronx before, but the subway ride there was ridiculous. It was Yankees game day, and some of the trains were running irregular service, and I swear I had to let two or three trains pass by before I could even think about forcing my way on. I finally got onto a train and rode, sardine-style, into the Bronx. At every stop at which the opposite doors opened, I was relieved. But at the stops at which the door on my side opened, I was terrified. Luckily, I didn't get pushed off of the train, and many many stops later, the Yankees crowd got off, and I had precious breathing room for the remaining ride.

The Bronx was a little sketchy, but I made it safely to Arthur Avenue having only gotten slightly lost for five minutes or so. I knew I couldn't stay long, because I didn't want to be in an unfamiliar neighborhood in the Bronx after dark, but I walked around Little Italy for a few minutes and stopped in una pasticceria, buying un cannolo (which is strange in the singular) and una sfogliatella, a layered pastry which Vera always recommended to her classes. I ate them back at Bea's apartment, and they were delicious!

So add to the earlier seven miles something like two miles, probably, in the Bronx. Back at Bea's, we ate PB&J's on English muffins, and then headed out to a bar in Greenwich Village to listen to a local band, the manager of which invited her. It was fun, and the band was pretty good. We caught a cab back, and quickly went to bed.

Today, I haven't done much. Most of my day I allowed as preparation time for my departure, and now that it's so close, I'm totally relaxed and excited. I'm going to put my laptop away and read for a bit, waiting to board my plane. But if you've read this far, and if you're following me further, I appreciate your interest! I won't be able to post as much in Italy as I have the past few days in the United States, but I'll try to sit down on occasion and record some thoughts and experiences. Until then, arrivederci, e grazie!

Prosperity Dumplings

It won't be common that I post twice in one day, but I'm killing a bit of time before I go to bed, so here's New York post #2.

Bea got home from work about the time I posted my previous entry. After some deliberation, we decided to walk to the subway and catch a train to the Brooklyn Bridge. I've walked across the bridge at night before, but that doesn't really detract from what is just a shocking sight. So much motion, so many lights; trains crossing other bridges, headlights flickering across still more bridges; and the cityscape, both on the Manhattan and Brooklyn sides. I loved it out there, and probably managed to take zero decent pictures, because it was dark and I mean, I don't know how to (if you can) take pictures at night of incredibly distant objects. But oh well.

Afterward, looking for dinner, we decided on a place in Chinatown called Prosperity Dumplings. Bea and a friend discovered Prosperity Dumpling at some point; ten dumplings cost only $2. Unfortunately, Bea did not remember exactly where it was, and despite Bea trying to figure it out on her iPhone, we got pretty lost and disoriented in a pretty sketchy part of Chinatown. It was really weird, but we finally found it. It was seriously SO tiny. There was barely room for three people to wait for food. So after getting our $2 dumplings, we fled to a subway station nearby and came back to the apartment. I wanted a picture of Prosperity Dumplings, but I wasn't really comfortable 1) standing around, or 2) taking my valuables out and flashing them around. So no picture of Prosperity Dumplings. Sorry.

I haven't decided yet what to do tomorrow. I don't want to sleep too late, but I'm also exhausted. I think it'll be reasonable to get up around 9 or so. Maybe I'll catch the subway to Central Park and study for a bit. I might go to Times Square, even though I know how ridiculous it'll be. I've been there before, and I hate seeming like such a tourist, but I really do like it!

Unfortunately, I already have blisters on two of my toes, but I think if I wear my flip-flops tomorrow, they won't rub in those spots.

If I had to describe my travel experience so far in one word, it would absolutely, without a doubt, be: sweaty.

New York

Oggi sono arrivato in Nuova York! Che caldo! Ho camminato tanto. Sono molto stanco, e puzzo probabilmente.

Today, I arrived in New York! It was so hot! I've walked so much. I'm tired, and I probably stink. Oh well!

I forgot how much of a zoo this place is. I like it (well, I started liking it after I'd made the trek with my suitcase and carry on to Bea's office, then to Bea's apartment, and dropped off all of my useless crap). But people are just so different. This isn't really a profound thought, but I just can't believe how many people there really are. I found myself thinking, sitting in Madison Square Park, about how unfathomable it is that every person who walked by me was a distinct individual, with thoughts, objectives, and feelings. With so many people around, it's inevitable to see them as automatons. It seems that there isn't even space in the world for so many people to think and exist. It would make more sense if some of them existed solely as filler material. After all, New York has to be a city, and a city has to have people. But not all of those people have to have individuality or consciousness in order to take up space. And some of them sure look like they don't.

Anyway, that was my philosophical thought in Madison Square Park, where I scarfed down a burrito and defended myself from legions of squirrels. I was so hungry; I found a Chipotle and ultimately decided to get it. While I know that I didn't take advantage of New York variety and culture, I was freaking starving, and I didn't want to risk not liking the unknown and staying unsatisfied.

I forgot my camera at Bea's apartment when I dropped my luggage off, but I saw several buildings I wanted to take pictures of. Alas, today I have no picture to post on my blog. But they'll come with time. I don't want to waste my time in New York, and so I'm getting off here relatively quickly, but look for more soon and often. :)

Arrivederci, Edinburg! Ciao, Nuova York!

Cazzo! Che stress!

I've been attempting to pack all day. I ran into town and into Wal-Mart for last-minute crap twice. I got everything I can think of together, but I doubt I've managed to maintain my focus long enough to make it all the way down my packing list, so I've probably just cobbled together bits and pieces through quick glances, and I hope it was thorough enough. I can't even check right now. I do not have the mental together-ness. I'll wake up early in the morning and do it. I really need to get some sleep.

Thinking it was a good idea to relay my departure through northern VA, DC, and NY was one of the stupider things I've done. I hate the very idea of bouncing around so much, but there's nothing I can do about it now. I may end up alone in northern VA with a bunch of luggage tomorrow, trying to find somewhere to sit for several hours while I try frantically to contact people.

I'm so disappointed about the USA loss today. But we played well most of the game, and I'm proud of our team. I'm happy about the unprecedented attention being paid to soccer in the US. People complain about World Cup fever and the fact that Americans only care about soccer every four years, which apparently makes us huge fakes, but I don't think that's the case. I think more and more, with the attention paid to the US in the World Cup this year, soccer will gain more recognition and respect in the US, and I'm glad for it. For me, paying attention to the World Cup this year has served to remind me of how much I used to love soccer, and I don't have any interest in ignoring it as soon as WC 2010 is over. Here's hoping we do even better in 2014! My only regret, as I never expected the US to even make the semifinals, is that I won't be able to watch either Italy or my home team from Perugia. There are still other teams I support (Japan and Mexico are my remaining favorites), but none that will hold the same interest as an American in Italy. But Landon Donovan is still my hero!

(for those who wondered but didn't look it up, "Cazzo! Che stress!" basically means "Fuck, this is stressful!")

countdown

3 days from now, I'll be in New York. 6 days from now, I'll be in Perugia. I say these things as facts, but if I were better at Italian, I would definitely be using the subjunctive. 6 days from now, I hope that I will be in Perugia. This is terrifying.

My travel schedule is as follows:

Sunday (2 days from now): get a ride to northern VA (where I'm staying overnight)

Monday morning: get a ride to the Metro, conquer the blue line during rush hour, arrive at Metro Station in DC; walk to my bus, find my bus, get on my bus, depart for New York City!

Monday afternoon: arrive in New York, find Bea's work, and distract myself until she gets off

Monday-Wednesday morning: hang out in New York (relax, breathe)

Wednesday: take the subway to find a shuttle to JFK, and catch my plane!

This schedule feels so convoluted to me, I'm sure what I just wrote will make NO sense to anyone else. When I really think about it, I kick myself for not just flying out of Dulles and paying extra. I also wonder how much I'm REALLY going to save after so many bus tickets, Metro tickets, subway rides, and shuttle rides. That said, I love New York and so rarely get an opportunity to go there which actually pans out. So as long as I get there successfully, I'm sure it will be worth the stress I'm experiencing right now.

I ought to be packing right now. I have today and tomorrow, essentially, to get all of my crap together, and I feel like I have no idea what to even take. I made a huge list a few weeks ago, but I don't have faith in myself when it comes to knowing what I really need.

I was so disappointed at the close of Italy's time in the World Cup yesterday. If only the team had played the entire game like they played the last 20 minutes, I would be able to see them in action from Italy, surrounded by crazy Italian fans, which sounded so fun. I envy Ada. Now, all I have left is to root for the USA and hope to find a bar where it's ok that I get excited and shout at the game. It can't be that hard, right?

I guess I should get offline and start sorting through my clothes, but I'll try to post before I leave home, and I'll try to post from New York once or twice. While I have 6 days yet before I land in Italy, I'm really only about 3 days from the start of my journey there. I have never done anything like the traveling I'm going to be thrown headlong into from the minute I leave my house. I've never had to accomplish so many things of this type on my own.

vacation

The USA got robbed today. That's all I can stand to even say about it, I'm so disappointed and frustrated with that game.

Tomorrow morning I leave for vacation at Lake Gaston until Thursday. I'm excited, and in a strange way I'm kind of looking forward to falling off of the technological map! I'll have no internet, and my phone service is usually nonexistent. It'll be nice. I feel like I've been staring at computers and TVs too much lately. I'm going to give that up for a bit, EXCEPT for a few important games coming up, such as Italy's on Sunday.

Taking my study materials. When I get back on the 24th, my flight to Rome will be six days away. I can hardly believe it. I feel unprepared.

Italy vs. Paraguay

Final score: 1-1, which puts Italy and Paraguay on even footing to lead Group F. After tomorrow's game between Slovakia and New Zealand, I'll reassess Italy's position, but I really wanted that win to absolutely assure they move forward. Regardless, gli azzurri (the blues, a nickname for the Italian national team) played well most of the game. I really want to be able to be in Italy during an Italian soccer game. I'll keep supporting them!

I'm also hopelessly in love with several of the Italian soccer players. Who could resist the adorable Domenico Criscito (upper left) or the handsome Antonio di Natale (lower right)? Among many others. Also, if you Google either of those two, like I just did to find pictures to post on here, you'll find that Dolce & Gabbana did an underwear ad featuring several of the Italian national team members, including Criscito and di Natale. I swear I found it on accident. Try it yourself, it pops right up. It's Google.

Anyhow, I've been studying Italian for hours. I've practiced conjugation, I've read through my textbook, and I took notes on two chapters. I created three or four new sets of flash cards. My brain is dying. Il cervello morte.

I need a break. 16 days from this very moment, I will be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, sleeping or studying, forse leggerò o ascolterò la musica. Is even that one simple phrase I just wrote correct Italian? I just don't know. Che pensiero stressante.

A domani, o forse il giorno dopo. Buona serata, lettori!

Until tomorrow, or maybe the day after. Have a good evening, readers!

conjugating

Taking a short break from intensive conjugating practice drills (using conjuguemos.com, a site we used in high school for Spanish--I tried a different site, I forget what, but I like conjuguemos more. I might keep looking, though, as verb selection on here is rather small) to post a quick update.

Today, I bought a camera and a memory card for my trip (and life, I guess). It's nothing impressive, but for my purposes, I really didn't require much, so I think it's a small model with 5x optical zoom and 10.2 megapixels. I hope I like it. I'm not really concerned about it sucking, as I don't need my pictures to be like pieces of art or anything. I just want to be able to take drunk pictures at bars to post on here later. Hahahahaha (just kidding, mom and dad).

I also bought my outlet plug adapter/voltage converter (Ada, my stupidass phone charger says it can't take more than like 120V or something stupid like that. This is what I get for having a shittyass phone. BUT it's lasted me more than one year of college, which is more than I could say for the better phones I had before it).

A few days ago, as an act of preparation, I printed off my e-ticket and placed it in my Perugia trip folder, and I scanned all of my important documents (passport, visa, license, credit and debit cards) to keep in electronic files on my computer, on my mom's computer, and in e-mail attachments to myself. I am preparing for all catastrophies. Then I locked my passport in my mom's fireproof box. This trip will not be stolen from me even if hell breaks open and devours my house.

Back to conjugation. Oh, by the way, I am not going to be NEARLY as far in my Italian review as I'd hoped. I guess it was stupid to think I could get myself semi-fluent in a month's time from a textbook and computer program.

P.S. I love the World Cup (GO USA!), and I just pray for Italy to move into the quarterfinals so that they can play while I'm there! Pray with me!

study study study!

Not much has happened recently to announce. This is unfortunate, but I thought I'd toss out a few inconsequential developments.

I continue to study for several hours almost every day. Today is the 7th, and 12 days from now I leave for a week at the lake with my dad and Kimberly's family. I plan to take my study materials with me, and I'll be there until the 25th. Then I'll be back in town for only 2 or 3 days before I bus to New York! I feel suddenly aware of how little time I have left. I need to start making packing lists, I suppose, and I may well need to take a trip to Richmond to get some things from my apartment, and all of this needs to happen soon! Tomorrow, I might make a list of things I'm taking. That will be my priority!

I've already decided, as I have several books piling up to be read, that I'll be taking three to the lake, hopefully finishing one there, and the remaining two I'll take to Italy. I don't plan to spend that much time reading, but I was told that it is BEAUTIFUL to sit on the porch in the mornings with a book. And of course I have to kill a great deal of time in planes and on trains. So I'll take The Early Ayn Rand, a collection of early work by the author; All the King's Men, by Robert Penn Warren; and Vanity Fair, by William Thackeray.

This is unrelated to Italy, but now that I'm thinking about it, I'm reading the most interesting book right now! It is called The Gargoyle, by Andrew Davidson. I stumbled upon it at a bookstore, where I didn't buy it, but I checked it out of the library a few days ago. I'm really enjoying it so far.

flash cards

Oh my. After today, my brain is positively buzzing with Italian words, only some of which I have ever learned, despite the fact that they were supposedly in the first six chapters of my textbook... which I probably got through in Italian 101. Thankfully, I pick up vocabulary quickly. I just don't retain it.

I wish I had more exciting things to blog about, but I'm not yet abroad, and preparations can't be all that interesting to you. My most sincere apologies. Regardless, in what was an exciting event for me, I discovered a website today that I hope will be most helpful in the next month: www.flashcardmachine.com. I've spent a great deal of time today sorting through vocab lists, copying vocab into personal groups of electronic flash cards, and quizzing myself. I expected to already know most of these words, and in some categories, I wasn't too far off. But it turns out I really do not know my food- or sport-related vocabulary. But at least I'm isolating some problem areas, and the online slideshows allow me to tag words that I have a hard time remembering.

That's really all that's developed, although I find it quite useful and recommend it to anyone who needs to quiz themself! Aside from that, pressure is increasing, as exactly a month from today, I'll be landing in Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport!

And tomorrow, I'm going to rent an international-capable phone!