CIAO! From Italy!

Good morning to most of you. Currently it is the afternoon and I just finished lunch at the student cafe here in Macerata. Let me just say it is no OOB (Lafollette dining service).

Anyways, I made it here safe. Thanks for all of your prayers. The past two days have been very long and tiresome, but I'm slowly adjusting. I think that by this weekend, I will be fully adjusted to the time change.

The plane ride has been the most interesting thing that I have had to endure so far. I sat in front of an Italian married couple that continued to push on the back of my seat. My friend Whitney could even feel them pushing on it...so you know that it had to be rough. So instead, I stared out the window into the black sky...and even though I could not really see anything...the stars were amazing that night. Probably one of the coolest things ever. Then we flew right over London, Paris and finally Roma. Amazing.

The train rides (plural) were a completely different story. They weren't the classiest way of traveling, however, most efficient, if you know what the heck you are doing. As soon as you get to the Roma Termini there are about 50 different trains all leaving at once. Be praying that you get on the right one because nothing about the train information was in English. How awkward to be an outsider. But all the same we arrived safely and the trip was a success.

Currently the town of Macerata is covered in Fog. Apparently we have mountains to the west and the Aedratic (spelled wrong for sure) Sea to the east - but we cannot see either of them, so that is making the buildings the most interesting things we have to look at. But do not get me wrong - they are beautiful. The streets are made of stone - nothing is paved here. And it smells amazing too. Italians have many plants in their home windows and store owners have them in their shops, plus the town itself has potted plants everywhere. Amazing.

Last night we found out our housing assignments. Whitney and I are living together in this apt. complex outside the walled city. Supposedly it is not to far of a walk....but after yesterday, nothing is too far of a walk. We carried our 70 lbs. plus luggage from the train station up a hill - no a mountain - we were told it would be rough...but for all of you doubters, I didn't complain and actually led some of the way. Thank you, thank you.

Now we have a bit of free time, so I thought that I would catch you all up. Hopefully I will be able to write soon. Tomorrow we are moving in to our actual homes here (thank goodness) so I'm excited that this is the last night that I will be sleeping in that hostel where the showers and the toilets are one.

Miss and Love you all,
Audrey