New ways of life

I was reminded yesterday that I have not updated our blog in a little while! My mom hadn't even realized that we purchased a new car so I guess it's about time that we keep you up to speed on the latest and greatest in our lives.

Ben and I have had a very eventful past couple of weeks. We've signed the lease on our new apartment, travelled some more, gone to more markets (more to come on the market experience, it's heavenly), and bought a car. In fact, when I was telling a friend on the phone that we bought a car- a Fiat Punto- the car seller made sure to remind me that it was a  "new" car because it is 2004. Keep in mind that the majority of people here buy cars dated 2000 and earlier. Funny, apparently when a car has been purchased in the past 6 or so years it is considered new. Not that I'm complaining, it suits us perfectly! It is automatic, 4 door, automatic windows (well the front and passenger side), has a CD player, and no scratches or dents to date- but let's be honest, I'm sure it will gain it's fair share of dents and scratches over the next few years. Close your ears, Ben!

The day after we bought our car we went to Rome. Wow, I do not recommend that driving experience to anyone. It got so bad that I had to start emailing on my Blackberry so that I wouldn't have to look out the window at the millions of people swerving in and out of lanes. Even the dog stood up and looked out the window to see what was going on. I don't know who's heart was beating faster, hers or mine! I was incredibly impressed with Ben's driving skills. I think I would've pulled over and asked him to find a way meet me and drive me home. I don't know how I'm going to survive the next few years here.
We went to Rome so that I could conduct site visits for a meeting in October but also to explore, of course. We made it to the hotel where we were staying, the Duke Hotel, http://www.thedukehotel.com/. After conducting a site visit near Santa Maria Basilica and then a site visit at the Duke Hotel, we checked into our room. They upgraded us to a suite overlooking the area which was beautiful. It was cozy and felt like an Italian Victorian living room. As frustrating as planning meetings is sometimes, I must say that meeting planner perks are fabulous! Ask Ben, he was treated to a cocktail or drink at every one of the 9 hotels I saw.
Unfortunately, it rained all day on Friday and part of the day on Saturday. We explored on Sunday and got to see the sights- The Trevi fountain, the Spanish steps, Via Veneto, and well that's about it until next time.

We tried to go to Borghese gardens but spent 40 mins there stuck in a parking lot. I'm not kidding. Not driving around the parking lot, mind you, but sitting stationery in a parking lot. We had pulled in to a lane, trail of cars behind us and all, and a couple was sitting in their car in front of us. I wish I could describe how Italians make three lanes or three rows of parked cars instead of two but there are simply no words. Anyway, we got boxed in. The guy in front of us wouldn't move, we didn't know how to find out what was going on because, yet again, we don't speak the language, and then finally the trail of 8 cars or so had to back up individually, one by one, just to get out of the way. Our drive home was a breeze, even if we did get lost.

The rest of the week was spent working, squeezing in day trips here and there, and trying to get the paperwork together for the move, which takes place on Monday (the 3rd). I went to Vietri for a friend's bday and it was stunning. Vietri is the capital of Italian ceramics and they were exquisite. I found so many pieces that I liked but chose a clock for our kitchen and a beautiful mosiac looking platter with peacocks in different colors. As much as I wanted to buy more I realized that we have to move in to our new place before I make more purchases or we will be sleeping on the terrace. Which actually wouldn't be too bad considering that it is pretty much the size of the apartment!

The challenges of this move and adjustment really started to hit us this week, or should I say, hit me this week. Most of you know that I am blessed to work from home for my brother in law, planning meetings for his organizations all over the world. After contacting 45 hotels for an upcoming meeting, and seeing 9 hotels last weekend, I  tonly fell in love with one of them and even then am dealing with trying to work out the meeting space details to see if it will work. The language barriers between myself and my contacts in Paris and Rome are awful. The fact that I have to chase them down every single day without really accomplishing anything or having anything to show for it drives me nuts. Work ethic does not exist here. I guess it was easier back home when I could leave work for awhile and be with my family or friends or at least get out of the house after a frustrating day of unsuccessful communication but here it just adds to the culture shock. Things started to build up little by little when situations occurred, such as our kitchen sink being clogged and calling for 3 days to get it unclogged so that we could do our dishes (it is still clogged for your information but I gave up and did the dishes in the laundry room sink- I'm sorry but when you're desperate, you're desperate), our clothes falling off of our balcony (where I was attempting to be a true Italian and now understand why they dry their clothes outside because the dryers do not produce very nice results), I turned one of Ben's favorite shirts blue (because here you use not only liquid detergent but liquid softener IN the wash and it got into his clothes), and this one takes the cake- I found out that it could take two months for them to install Internet in our home. Tono, if you're reading this don't worry, I'm paying for a temporary wireless card! :) Except that it only gives you 5 hours a day of Internet time. Uh-oh. I'll be going to work with Ben a couple of days a week.

Keep in mind that all of this occurred ON the base so you can only imagine what kind of experiences we are going to have when we move off next week. Oh and I forgot to mention my first driving experience the other night where I had to cross an intersection, people were coming at me from all angles, and Ben told me to stop yelling at everyone on the road. I did get us there and back in one piece so I guess you could say it was a success.

The short of it is, I had a meltdown the other day. All of these factors finally got to me and I gave up feeling sorry for myself. I put my work aside for the day and went over to my friend Darlene's house where we sat on the balcony and had 2 bottles of champagne at 3 in the afternoon. Well maybe more but by this time her husband and Ben had come over and we decided to make a mini party of it. Thank God that we have people to come to here because Ben and I would go crazy without support from friends who have been through it already.

Putting my Debbie Downer tone aside, we truly do love Italy and cannot wait to spend the next three years here. Let's be honest, moving to another place is not easy. Throw in a new marriage, different country, different language, and a different culture and it's even more of an adjustment. I know it will get better but sometimes it just takes a little bit of time to transition into a new way of life. :)