17/06/2012

Finally got to Milan and it’s a dream come true. It’s overwhelming and full of interesting places. It’s great to see that the language course at UCLan comes useful in real-life. However, I’ve learnt that asking people in Italian if this is the right bus stop to get off at is not the wisest of choices.

Me: “Scusa, E fermata via Lombardia?”

A kind stranger: “Buongiorno, blabalbalablabalbalabalbabalbalaba…” (1 minute)

Me: “Non capisco”

Another stranger: “Questo!”

For that reason I perfected the phrase “Non parlo molto Italiano” but I try to use my broken Italian as often as possible. I can get around town, buy tickets and shop for groceries etc. I met a few Italian people but we mainly conversed in English.

I meet people from all around the world too. But the most interesting person I’ve met so far was… another Polish guy that was watching the Euro 2012 in the hostel. He is a juggler and travels the world performing on the streets of big cities and in his free time he… travels some more. He’s got loads of interesting stories to tell and lots of useful travel tips. Last year he made 72 flights and it’s not even like he is trying to set a personal record. It’s just his lifestyle. I believe his skills and knowledge might come useful to my fellow Interpreting students and possibly to other language/business students too. He’s given me useful tips on international money management, organising my flights and other things too. I think it’d be a good idea for the worldwise centre to invite him to give a lecture. He’s name is Michal Bernatek (dziejopis@o2.pl).

I can’t upload many pics right now but I’ve heard that there is a room adorned with human skulls in the magnificent Duomo so I will definitely post some snaps.

20/06/2012

FOUCO, FUOCO, FUOCO!!!

Finding the way home after getting lost feels good but getting lost and finding a kettlebell crew somewhere in Milan was even better. So far I was a little bit disappointed coz I imagined that local people would be more open than they really are but my expectations were probably based on the student community in Preston. Yet when I got to the park and saw around 15 kettlebells and a few guys and girls warming up they immediately invited me in. They probably noticed my big grin. I just couldn’t help it. I had to join even though I wasn’t dressed properly. I even got my personal  Italian to English interpreter! Because the whole exercise session was in Italian it was a great language lesson too. Actually it was the best kind of lesson I can imagine. Among other words I learned the verb “vomitare” when the heavier part of the workout started. By the end of the workout the group grew significantly and people were very eager to help me improve my technique. Most of the time they do seminars in Italy but they have done some abroad too. I’d love to see them giving a seminar at UCLan’s Tom Finney’s sports centre. It would be great to have some kettlebels at UCLan’s gym!

My pics don’t show much as they were done in a hurry but you can learn more about the Italian kettlebell crew from on http://www.antoniosaccinto.com/ or Freedom Ferretti's facebook page. Check them out for great kettlebell pics and more info. http://www.facebook.com/freedom.ferretti 

Thank you guys!

23/06/2012

There is so much going on that I forgot to mention the school. I did the test for the A2 level twice because I didn't want to start from the basics. I failed both times yet still decided to join the A2 class. I left after 15 minutes after realising that it was way too hard for me. So I reluctantly joined the A1 class. But luckily for me most other students have had some Italian knowledge before and the lessons go really smooth. And the whole class is in Italian, with all intructions and definitions. It's funny for one thing and stimulating too. I learn a lot this way even though the actuall lesson content is often nothing new to me. The class is 6 people big which is perfect. We get some homework everyday. And the school is not in the usuall Italian style... the classes start on time each day!

Oh, and I took an interesting pic. I don't know if you can see all the pics I uploaded so I put them on the site too. I don't speek Italian well enough to say for sure but I guess that the Italian version differs in meaning from the English version on this post by the Duomo. Just couldn't help noticing. You'd think they could use a decent UCLan translator to do the job ;)

24/06/2012

A trip to Bergamo was a great idea. It's a beautiful city just a stone's throw from Milan. The number of ornaments on an average residential house is staggering. The town is divided into two parts. But the dvision is not clear-cut and new architecture blends with the ancient one. It's amazing to be able to see ancient monuments from your flat's window! There are many interesting places around Bergamo too, beautiful lakes and mountains. The nightlife here is much calmer than in Milan, yet after the football games which are broadcasted outdoors on big screens the streets are full with people cheering for Italy. I must say that the Italian police is very well trained at alleviating and preventing conflicts between people. I wish I could tell the same about the Polish police.

01/07/2012

Surprisingly, 3 days in Rome proved to be enough to see almost everything in daylight and at night. It’s too bad that in the evening and at night most places are inaccessible. They are beautifully lit, though. They closed St. Peter’s Cathedral before 6! It’s worth visiting the Colosseum at night even though you can’t possibly go in. At night in some places there are no tourists and you can feel like travelling back in time. The weather was ruthless yet I had been craving for sun in Preston so I enjoyed it nevertheless. I wish I had a better camera with me because the place is truly amazing there is art everywhere you go. I’m definitely coming back some day!

Oh, I forgot. Watch out for public transport strikes! It can make your time in Italy a real nightmare.