A Cappucino for Wifi

Ciao bella! Hello from Cinque Terre, Italy. It's been an absolutely delightful few days here, and I look forward to several more. The hostel I'm at doesn't have wifi, so I have to go to the cafe and order something so they let me stay. Didn't think a caffeine addiction would be one of the souvenirs I take back to Germany, but okay. If you are expecting a copious amount of pictures, I'm sorry to disappoint. I didn't bring my SD card adapter to Italy so the few pictures I do post are from my phone and probably already on Facebook. Mi dispiace.

JK, I don't actually know Italian, that's what Google is for! Actually, I received an extremely helpful Italian language crash course on the flight over here from one of my over-prepared travel companions. It consisted of "grazie", "scusi", and "uno cono gelato". What more do you need to know?

And now for the Awkward Moments in Italy portion of the blog! Let's start with the basics--getting lost in La Spezia Centrale because your companions are going on a six hour hike (which sounds like a terrible time to you so you head out on your own) but really you have no clue how to navigate Italian train stations. Lesson learned: how to read Italian train schedules. Also, that first impressions are often nonsense. You know that guy sitting quietly in the corner while you chat with the other extroverts on the train? Yeah, he's going to go out of his way to help you find the right train, and ask for nothing in return. And you thought he was unfriendly. Pshh.

And that one time (yesterday) someone spoke rapid-fire Italian, I panicked--and responded in broken German. Lesson learned: nothing. I panicked and responded in the only foreign language I knew. It will almost definitely happen again. Still awkward though.

The most awkward moment as of yet may have to be that time I had one glass of wine and declared to my hostel full of hot Canadian guys that it was now a Shirt Free Zone, and when they laughed at me but remained fully clothed, I insisted that I was serious, but would let them off with a warning this once. Lesson learned: I am a lightweight who should never drink on an empty stomach. No. Not even one. Also, Canadians have a great sense of humor. Also, damn. Way to go Canada. You make some fine-looking men.

How is it possible I can feel my mother rolling her eyes all the way from the U.S.? For the record, those awkward moments have been sandwiched in between really amazing moments!

Been doing a lot of this.

And seeing a lot of this.

And this.

Needless to say, Italy is extremely photogenic and I'm having the time of my life. As always, I love you. Stay amazing.

xoxo