The Apartment

I figured I would take some time to talk about the apartment, and get a few more photos up. The apartment is great for the most part, just a few minutes walk to the Duomo and the Centro Studi (chen-tro stoo-dee) or study center on the south west quarter of Orvieto. The apartment is clean but we have to climb some steep stairs to get to the apartment that get thiner as you continue up them. However, the haul up the stairs is worthwhile for the view it provides.

As far as everything functioning in the apartment, we were a little over possitive when we arrived. It took at least two days to figure out how to light our all gas stove with out burning myself. We started to make eggplant parmesan the third night and then came to realize that our oven does not work, it's not that we don't know how to work it, but it quite literaly is out of commission, Maggie found the plug, or what used to be the plug next to the oven, the plug part missing and bare stragling wires taped together. So for now we don't have an oven.

The following day we came to our next problem, the heater was making horrible sounds and was leaking a bit of water. Our resolve was to keep it off until we knew what was wrong. The apartment remained warm, being butted up against 4 other apartments but we did't not realize that the heater also provided our hot water. So now we have no hot water. The water was freezing, and I knew I would not be able to bear it. So I boiled a pot of water and used it that night to rinse my hair and body down. Let me say, it was quite the adventure as I stood there laughing over the stove with shampoo driping out of my hair.

Forchunately, the next day my professor said that their heater was loud too, so we decided to let it run so we could have hot water at least. After showers that evening we turned the heater off, but it continued to make loud banging noises all night, keeping Maggie and probably the neighbors up all night. Someone must have told our landlord because the next afternoon there was Max (the landlord) and a mechanic fixing the heater.

We figured out the TV, after a few tires. It seems that to turn it on, you don't push the power button but the channel UP button. I don't understand the reasoning, but if it works I won't complain.

The hair dryer we bought had the wrong plug so we have to use an adapter, and the water in Orvieto is not pottable for now. I hear it has aluminum in or something.

We are now battleing the washing machince, it just spun around with out any water. I believe Maggie finaly got it to work, or maybe not.

Now we are just hoping nothing else breaks, that the clothes line doesnt break, or that our beds don't break the frames.

Anyways, despite all the freak acts of appliances, I can not help but love Italy. The people are wonderful, especially the older couples at the Enoteca's and the cheese guy at the market. The scenery is beautiful and the weatehr has been holding up great, sunshine almost all week. Tomorrow we go to Rome for our first trip with Marco, we hear he can be a real beast, I hear he never get hungry, has to pee, or gets tired. I have to meet everyone at the train station at 7 so tomorrow will be an early morning.

Pictures!

Here are a few pics. I will try to continue getting them up as I go thru today!

The apartment bedroom, Maggie and I share

This is the Duomo on my way to Centro Studi (the study center).

This is the inside of the Duomo.

This is a view of the Duomo from the Torre del Morro (one of the towers in the center of Orvieto)

In Orvieto

Ciao!

I am in Orvieto. And everything has been amazing, so far beautiful sunshine which made moving into the apartment much less stressfull. My luggage proved a bit problematic (mostly i had so much) but it all did make it to the apatment :). The apartment is great we have all the neccessesities needed: oven, gas stove, heating, washing machine, clothes line, toilet, and HOT showers! I included a picture of the view out our living room window.

Last night we all got oriented with the area each left to find dinner. Maggie and I got cleaned up after our orientation and meandered around the city seeing only about half of Orveito.We found a popular pizzeria on the main courso (or main street) as it was packed with many locals. After standing in line for a few minutes it was my turn to order I stood there and pointed at the piece I wanted: which was potatoe i found out later. They cut the piece in half and folded the two together making a pizza sandwhich, it was great and was gone before maggie and I returned to the apartment. We turned in early after such a long day and got up at 8 this morning for more orientation with our university: Centro Studi Citta di Orvieto. The school is located near our apartment and is on the Piazza of the Duomo. The scenery is breath taking and I will get pictures up as soon as possible.

Ciao!

Renae

The Adventure Begins

Well, after spending hours packing and repacking my bags yesterday 5pm rolled around and i was notified that my original flight was cancelled due to "extreme weather conditions" i.e. dense fog. To add to the stress no one else knew, not even my professors till hours later. Fortunately, I took the initiative to call United as my informational text told me to do and guaraunteed a seat for myself on the following flight. Maggie (my future roommate) and I are now 2 of 5 people on that direct flight to D.C., the other 15 are on other connecting flights and may not even make the Rome flight. The good news is that we should have a bus waiting for us 5 in Rome and will be taken care of from there, or so I hope.

The best part was getting the call at midnight from one of my professors telling me the flight was cancelled but to still arrive at the KCI airport at 6 am, meaning that I had to get up at 4 this morning. Upon arriving this morning chaos slowly insued and after being hearded like cattle, everyone got checked in. One of my bags weighed 9 lb over the 50 lb limit, which would have cost me about $150. Thankfully my second bag was not nearly as full or heavy, so everything worked out as I quickly transfered items around. Now I am just chilling at the airport till my flight departs at 11:39am. I have two hours to make the connecting flight to Rome, while the other two groups have lesss than an hour. WHAT AN ADVENTURE!

If anyone wanted to trade places with me, you might want to reconsider now, lol.

Included are a few pics of my baggage, and Maggie & I!

Packing and last minute things.

Well, more than a week has passed and I have already failed at keeping updated. There is less than a week until I fly out and my check list is still quite lengthy. I did get my passport/visa and moved out of the apartment thanks to my family, Rocky and Spencer.

The pressure to find someone to rent my apartment has heightened and I am doing my best to stay positive and trust God. With a dozen little things to do, my main focus is buying the last minute items and packing my bags which seems to be a large project in itself. Trying to remember everything is difficult: from wool socks and umbrella to passport and plane tickets. So much to remember and perhaps not enough room in my bag.

The excitment and anxiousness of it all causes the days to pass even more quickly. Before I know it I will be hugging my family and friends good-bye for my four month adventure. I am already missing everyone, and even get a bit teary eyed when I think about it. I know Italy will be great, just not as great without all those I love there to enjoy it with me.



I love you all, and hope to stay in touch!

Renae