Extra-Ordinary

13th - 19th October 2016

I had read that a certain telephone company in Italy is known for ripping people off. I was wary, but clearly not wary enough. My contract tells me to pay a certain amount every month and they sent me a message today. 

IL TUA CREDITO DI - 1.66 euro, NON E' SUFFICIENTE. PER RICARICARE CHIAMA IL 42xx0 

Basically, my credit was insufficient even though I had paid the exact amount. This wouldn't necessarily be a problem because my phone was receiving calls and I could make calls but my internet was not working. After going to the store and asking them about my situation, I was informed that there were extra charges for using the internet and I was not made aware of this because it was given to me freely for the first month. They make life good and then they take it away, isn't that how any business works? And what do you know, just as soon as I paid the TABACCHI (the little shop where you can buys magazines etc.), I could use my internet fully. That was quite surprising but I guess they honestly just wanted my money. Sigh.

(-__-)

Tissue in the body and tissue for the nose. Same spelling, completely different meaning. This was baffling to my Italian friends. English has many funny irregularities.

VOI SIETE QUI (You are here)

As expected of Italy, where FIAT is like Mahindra (Indian company)

There was a party organised by the Welcome Office of the university for the international students. Since I had arrived late (classes were far away), I was quite intimidated by the sheer number of people in the great hall. There were a surprising number of countries being represented there. Among them I met, Germany, Hungary, France, Australia, Lithuania, Iran, USA, Bangladesh, Yemen, Sudan, Vietnam, Czech Republic, Poland, Moldova, Sweden, Russia, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Chile, Peru, Ireland, Spain, Brasil, Philippines, Netherlands, Belgium, Mexico, Venezuela, and last but not least Italy (undercover agents).

Being an anime fan, I was really looking forward to meeting someone from Japan. But, what can I do, sometimes fate has other plans. Once the food had been scavenged by the students it was time to leave the great hall. It was while leaving that this rather odd incident took place. I happened to see an Asian-looking girl leaving from another exit. I immediately ran to her and said "Excuse me!". She turned and out of my mouth came "Where are you from?". In hindsight I cannot believe that I was so rude to her but what was even ruder was what followed. She replied with "I'm from Japan". I was dumbstruck, I could feel joy emanating from me and rising exponentially, my eyes widened and I greeted her in Japanese with "HAGIMEMASHITE, WATASHI NO NAMAE WA TINA DESU. ANATA NO NAMAE WA NANDESU KA?" (Nice to meet you, My name is Tina. What is your name?). She was surprised but answered me right away. I then asked her if she was coming to the event that was planned after this party. She replied in the affirmative. I should have taken my cue and left at that point since I would hopefully (fingers crossed) met her soon; instead, I dug my own grave. I asked her for her number like a little puppy. That could have gone either way but fate was kind to me and she gave me her number (I asked her to tell me her number in Japanese! That was a first for me!). I also told her that it was such a joy to meet someone from Japan. I think she felt elated? Nonetheless, we parted ways and I left for the next event without a care in the world.

(*__*)

Do you see anything out of place in this picture?

Did you see it yet?

Now? Chickens! on a playground! No idea why

Yes ladies and gentlemen, children are also called BIMBO here

Why did they make so many chimneys? Too much chimney work!

Latin: Doubt is the beginning of wisdom

Subway?

Think again!

Burrito!

Free burrito! There was a new restaurant opening in an unfamiliar part of town and they had advertised free food for all who came. We ventured in quite late (after class) to find a huge bustle within the restaurant. We had thought that it was over and were content to just sit and have all the free nachos and salsa (I'm kidding, I would have loved that meal too!). But, since we came all this way (2 bus rides) we had to at least ask (everyone was Italian and this side of town was not known to have many students as residents). We were surprised when we found out that the event was still on and we got our free burrito!

Everyone loves minions and Frozen!

The fog is here and it looms around us

He didn't want me to go. An actual puppy face

A physical manifestation of the students' clouds over their head?

As expected of Italy (1 EUR coin)

Bagpipes are quite rare

(^__^)

I went to discover a new path nearby. I was surprised to find this treasure so close to me.

There was some light

Then there was more light

The path to Neverland

Ever seen 4 branches simultaneously emerging?

So much path!

Like a fairytale...

I reached a plateau on top, I see my house!

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead, his eyes are closed - Einstein

I wonder if this is how Kings and Queens feel sitting on their high thrones?

The perfect romantic spot

I guess that this place was made to be a park

I was scared to move through the high grass because of snakes. But then I remembered that snakes here aren't exactly poisonous

A storage area? I was wary thinking that someone was watching me from inside

I went to investigate nonetheless, too bad that I couldn't go inside

Back to the path (after contemplating my life)

I came from down there

I was casually walking down when my foot hit a rock and I kicked it unknowingly to the side. This act led to some movement. A creature ran fast across my path. It was the colour that stood out. It was black and yellow. I had heard that brightly coloured animals are usually poisonous so I kept my guard up (right after I took a photo). In hindsight (after using Google), I realised that I had a close brush with death. These fire salamanders can be fatal depending on where they are touched. But, I am alive!

Salamandra salamandra

I apologised to the forest for the disturbance and was grateful for being left alive

Snow on the mountain overnight (Winter is coming.)

(^__^)

Feels like home (popular car back home )

Mozzarella CRUDO (with uncooked meat) It was surprisingly delicious 

That's how the road are 'sweeped'

This truck was backing into the steep path (as expected of Italian drivers)

Load unloaded and heading up the hill (this was in the back of the red truck)

I feel like Snow White when they are so close

Welcome, Fall

I'm on a living movie set

When you realise that Winx club is an Italian production

In preparation for the Venice festival?

I found Naruto (Japanese comic)! albeit in Italian

[Thank you for reading! Feel free to leave any comments or feedback. I will be posting every third day for a while now. So I'll see you lot on the 14th! Have a great weekend! A DOPO (See you later)]