Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The passion of the Italians
Okay--so we were warned that the Italians were passionate people and that situation and surroundings would not stop the expression of their love regardless of age. So I thought I was prepared. More than once there has been a couple making out at the movies, in a shadowy corner or at a party. No big deal, right? Wrong.
We have been riding the bus here which stops right on our street and is a quick,cheap means of getting to the embassy and around the city. Taeyana likes to sit on the wheel well and "drive" the bus. It is directly behind the ticket validation machine and an easy way to keep her entertained for the 15 minute ride home. On this particular evening, Tae's favorite spot was already occupied by a lovely young woman. Her admirer was leaning against post where we needed to stamp our tickets. The bus was packed. We were all jammed together. I went to stamp our tickets but paused. The intensity of their conversation and kissing was so incredibly intimate, even on a bus of 50, that it qualifies in my eyes as lovemaking! I closed my eyes and stretched out my hand with the ticket to punch it--trying in vain to give them some privacy and ease my embarrassment. They thought it was hilarious.
This was not simply two people kissing on the bus. The young woman pouted and gasped and coyly fluttered her eyelashes only to give him a simple (yet unnervingly loud) kiss before she began talking again. The poor young man, groaned and pleaded, finally just resting her head on her chest. At this point, she locked at me, cocked her head and smiled! These poor Italian men have NO chance. So much for being prepared for the passion of the Italians. Thank God my kids had no questions once we reached our stop!
We have been riding the bus here which stops right on our street and is a quick,cheap means of getting to the embassy and around the city. Taeyana likes to sit on the wheel well and "drive" the bus. It is directly behind the ticket validation machine and an easy way to keep her entertained for the 15 minute ride home. On this particular evening, Tae's favorite spot was already occupied by a lovely young woman. Her admirer was leaning against post where we needed to stamp our tickets. The bus was packed. We were all jammed together. I went to stamp our tickets but paused. The intensity of their conversation and kissing was so incredibly intimate, even on a bus of 50, that it qualifies in my eyes as lovemaking! I closed my eyes and stretched out my hand with the ticket to punch it--trying in vain to give them some privacy and ease my embarrassment. They thought it was hilarious.
This was not simply two people kissing on the bus. The young woman pouted and gasped and coyly fluttered her eyelashes only to give him a simple (yet unnervingly loud) kiss before she began talking again. The poor young man, groaned and pleaded, finally just resting her head on her chest. At this point, she locked at me, cocked her head and smiled! These poor Italian men have NO chance. So much for being prepared for the passion of the Italians. Thank God my kids had no questions once we reached our stop!
Jetlag is no joke!!
Hey to all--
Here is the start of the blog I have been threatening to start for the last six months!! I would like to blame it all on jetlag but I have some peers who seem to have landed on their feet with nary a hint of it. What I have been informed and have come to realize is that jetlag is not just about time. It is about state of mind, comfort level and general ability to function. This was pointed out to me after I sat staring in the car, eyes glazed over, following a 3 hour grocery shopping trip. While the Italians have been relatively patient and understanding about my language deficit, there is a certain amount of mental drain when completely immersed in another culture on a day-to-day basis. As my friend and driver pointed out, you can only shop by the pictures on the package--it still doesn't mean that it is what you think it is. All in all, our biggest transition has been from moving from a small Montana town of 18,000 to a bustling city of 6 million people. I plan to share my joys and frustrations and give you all a little taste of Italy!
Here is the start of the blog I have been threatening to start for the last six months!! I would like to blame it all on jetlag but I have some peers who seem to have landed on their feet with nary a hint of it. What I have been informed and have come to realize is that jetlag is not just about time. It is about state of mind, comfort level and general ability to function. This was pointed out to me after I sat staring in the car, eyes glazed over, following a 3 hour grocery shopping trip. While the Italians have been relatively patient and understanding about my language deficit, there is a certain amount of mental drain when completely immersed in another culture on a day-to-day basis. As my friend and driver pointed out, you can only shop by the pictures on the package--it still doesn't mean that it is what you think it is. All in all, our biggest transition has been from moving from a small Montana town of 18,000 to a bustling city of 6 million people. I plan to share my joys and frustrations and give you all a little taste of Italy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)