Arrived in Gignese (near Lake Maggiore) while on "holiday" This is nowhere near a holiday for Au Pair/Nannys I had heard so I was prepared to be having a full on introduction. Of course, this was going to be a fantastic opportunity to increase my knowledge of Italian and of course forming relationships with the kids before they started back to school in a month's time.
So it wasn't until a month later that I finally got in to Milan, which is not nearly as beautiful as Gignese and is stinking hot and humid and full of mosquitoes at this time of year but I had my FREEDOM again! I must confess that at week 3 I started to feel the cabin fever. I could go walking around and exploring but I was missing meeting with young people and being able to travel easier.
Discovering Milan
Many Italians don't like Milan and were so over the top about asking me "But why Milan???!" (in a comical way of course). It is too unfriendly, stressful and not a beautiful city (but does not having the feeling like it's about to explode like in London).
Another thing that I discovered is that the "fact" that I everyone in Milan dresses amazingly and I would feel pressured to conform is bullshit. As a city it has people of all shapes, sizes and dress senses. But there of course a lot of opportunities to pick yourself up something either from the center from a high end shop or at a market (or by the Metros as I checked out), so you can by on a budget for sure!
Before leaving Italy, advice number on the internet was "Do not discuss politics" and "Do not discuss religion". As you can imagine that these might be particularly explosive topics in New Zealand, you can imagine how much more explosive they can be in the company of Italians. It seems though that younger people do really want to talk about it. Broaching the subject was not too difficult. Both the young guy I met working in Barclays in London (from Italy) and the Italian girl who has befriended me both had stark criticisms (primarily of politics). A documentary was showing at the film festival about whether young people should stay in Italy or leave because of the lack of opportunities and a government which makes it so difficult to stay.
"Il bar" in Italy, is more of a place to pick up an ice-cream, chewing gum, bus tickets and quick shot of coffee here. It is very strange to hear this refereed to as a bar. I think cafes and where you go to drink coffee and alcohol, sit down and have a meal. And then there are places which specialise in Aperitivo which is the BEST idea EVER! Aperitivo is when you go to have "Happy Hour" so you pay 6-8 euro for beers/cocktails/wines and during that time you can help yourself to a buffet of free food. So essentially you can have 2 cocktails and dinner for 16 euro. It's the best!
Speaking of alcohol.... you know how most bars in the world have a strict regulation about how much alcohol you are served per glass of booze (usually with the caps with the ball bearing that serve a measured shot). This does not exist here. They do not care about how much booze they give you, except to get your vodka and soda half vodka, half soda. It reminded me of university parties.
Buses are weird here. Unlike other countries you can't buy a ticket on board, you have to buy one before hand either from a metro or from a bar. It was so weird when I got on at the front of the bus when I first arrived and told the bus driver where I wanted to go and with my euro to give him. He did not respond at all. A man behind me sold me a ticket. I assumed it was this job to do this. Apparently not, as my host family said and because I never saw people doing this again. He was just a kind soul or a clever business man. This also makes it really easy to ride the bus for free though.
That's all I can think of to say right now (brain not functioning well today) so a bit of a departure from the more intense topics but hope you enjoyed.
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