The Unthinkable

Every so often, my program takes all the students on various day and overnight trips. To Ravenna, to Torino, and this April, we are off for 5 days in Sicily. Yesterday we went to Parma and it was quite the experience.

Coming off 3 1/2 hours of sleep, I was not bursting with energy as I met up with folks at the train station. I set my alarm way earlier than I had to get up so I could a) hit the snooze button with ease and b) pack a few snacks.

I got two ziplock bags. One for my yogurt and granola and the other for Ritz crackers and fruit. Had the other essentials: asthma medicine, camera, water bottle, tissue, and I was ready to go.

Now, heading onto the train I knew Parma was going to be special. After all, this is where Parmesan cheese comes from as well as arguably the best prosciutto in all of Italy. I actually went to Parma with ma last semester but we only sampled the best they had to offer.

We met our tour guide and began walking the streets. Less than 5 minutes into the tour she was pointing out famous salumerias, or deli's if you will. People have their cameras out and were snapping away at massive blocks of cheese and ham dangling from ceilings. I, too, was one of those people.

We saw your standard cathedrals and historic buildings (all dating back to around the time the dinosaurs were kicking the bucket) but the highlight of the sites was the Farnese Theater. (For the record, you should look this theater up right now) It was absolutely amazing. All made of wood. Beautifully carved. Way back in the day there was a performance that was 7 hours and had over 30 sets. They only did 9 shows. Seriously, look it up.

After the theater visit, we made our way to the restaurant. The moment we had all been waiting for. As I took my seat next to the director, Marcello, and his wife, I knew I was in for it. The aperitivo that arrived was nothing short of delicious. There was doughy, fried bread that was very soft and warm. We then had salami, montadella, and 3 kinds of prosciutto. It was arraigned in a very appetizing and precise way.

I was getting my grub on when I looked across from me and saw a girl in my program who wasn't eating. She informed me she was a Vegetarian. Normally, I would inquire and try to convince folks that they should give that up but not this time. I realized the less others ate, the more for me. I just said "oh" and continued eating.

Because of her special vegetarian characteristic, she was brought a plate full of different types of cheeses. As the waitress placed it in front of her, across from me, I gawked. I thought to myself "I'm definetly going to eat that". She offered me some after she couldn't eat it all and although I could have gone to town on it, I didn't. Not out of respect for her or fear of being gluttonous but rather because I wanted to save room for the other courses. At one point while eating I said I didn't want to eat anymore because it was too good. I know some of you might think this makes no sense but it does. You know when someone has "such a crazy idea it might work", well this is like that. It was so good I didn't want to eat anymore. It was that insane.

Everyone was full at this point. But there was all this meat and cheese leftover. I knew nobody wanted anymore and I knew the waiters were going to just throw this wonderful food away.

So I did it.

I unzipped my backpack. Took out a ziplock bag and began filling it. I would place a little meat and cheese on my plate and then casually take it and put it in the bag under the table. The girls around me took notice but I didn't care. They at first were critical but came around after a second. I even turned to Marcello and told him what I was doing. He replied very simply and very seriously: "You're smart".

As my ziplock was gaining in volume, the waiters were lurking; ready to remove these plates and bring new ones. As I wished I was Inspector Gadget and had those "Go-go Gadget arms", I began frantically throwing meat and cheese into my bag before the waiter came. Once he arrived I gave him the nod and he took away the plate.

I did it. I had brought the lifestyle of Hometown Buffet and Red Lobster to Parma,Italy. Am I proud? No. But I'm not ashamed either.

Me and some Italian folks went out to this bar to watch a soccer match last night and I was asked it I wanted any bar food. "No thanks" I said

And right there I busted out my ziplock bag full of goodies.

"I'm good"

He's BAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKK!

Yes, yes, yes ladies and gentleman. I have returned to the life of blogging as well as the good life in Bologna, Italy.

From almost 7 weeks in Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, Los Angeles and even Reno, Nevada I'm back. I plan on doing a little bit more this time around. I'm a seasoned veteran now. No more wide eyes when I'm walking down the street (although with spring time around the corner and skirt season fast approaching...). I got some things planned.

I've been back for a little bit but, between the jet lag, the sudden change of culture, constant cigarette smoking, and answering of what I did during Christmas vacation, it took awhile. But boy does it feel good.

Its good to be back with the guys I live with. Nobody has really changed except for one of my roommates officially has a girlfriend. He had been trying to snag her for quite some time and he is very excited these days. The guy from Kosovo has been beside himself these days because Kosovo is getting its independence tomorrow and, as you can imagine, this is huge. The stinky one has an intense mo hawk and is well, still stinky. (I'd rather be trapped in a port-o-potty at an construction site than in an elevator with him) And then there is my boy Luigi. If you don't know about him by now, you should.

After my mom did some convincing, I decided to join a gym. I didn't belong to one the first semester but decided it would be beneficial this time around. I first went to the more expensive, very bourgeois gym knowing it was expensive but just to see what they had to say. This guy sat me down and pulled out the brochure and showed me what the normal price was. But, he said, he could do something special for me. He then wrote down another price in huge letters and circled it saying this was 'a great deal'. To join the gym, he had me paying about $120 and then about $100 per month there on out. At this point he was underlining and circling all these numbers on the paper. I kept nodding and said I'd come back the following day after I thought about it.

I never showed up.

I went to the other gym around the corner. Much cheaper and friendlier people. A little bootleg but in a good way. They have 2 total treadmills, 2 stationary bikes and one bench. Its mainly for University students so its cool. This place was more than half as cheap (does that even make sense?) and I love it. I stand out like a sore thumb there, too. On purpose. I wear a yellow headband and a long sleeve shirt that reads 'San Francisco 49ers'. Maybe I'll havesome blue or yellow socks and rock out to my ipod. Its great.

My plan of not eating pasta while at home has worked great. As to not over-do-it, I steered clear from pasta with the exception of the phenomenal pasta al ragu I made right before I left. (ask my ma if you want details) The simple yet tasty pasta dishes my roommates make and offer me every time, have been great. With my pizza spots and small restaurants still around the corner, I'm covered on the food front. And I'm off to Parma tomorrow to have the famous Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. (yeah, that's where it comes from)

For now I have to go find out why Luigi is screaming "Vafanculo!" to his computer.

I'll be back