Italian

Sto Imparando Italiano

October 8, 2013

I am learning Italian. Still. Hopefully always. It takes a lot to get a new language into a old lady mind. A mind that is full of multiple to-do lists and constantly multitasking. My brain is already full ya’ll.

But I love this language. It’s so beautiful and magical. When I return to Italy I want to do better with my Italian. I’m sorry to say that there where a few times that I was reduced to pointing at a slice of pizza at simply saying “questa” (this). I did all right when someone spoke a bit of English to go with my bit of Italian.

I need more words. More verbs. More Italy.

It’s always good to travel to Italy with an Italian instructor who is Italian. The group portion of my trip was lead by my friend and Italian professoressa Giuliana. Our first day in Roma, three of us went into a bar (don’t worry, that is what they call a coffee shop). As we ordered coffees Giuliana told the cute, young barista that Laura and I were her students. Then she instructed us to talk to him and walked away. Ha! He was sweet and patient, even coaching us along at times. When Giuliana returned he told her what he knew about Laura and I. It was an on the street pop quiz and we did OK.

The Italian people are so kind and they love it when you are trying to learn their bella lingua. One hundred percent of the Italians I met where more than happy to help me say things correctly and coach me along.

I would tell them “Parlo un po ‘italiano, ma non molto bene” (I speak a little Italian, but not very well) and then it seemed very thing I said correctly was met with a “Brava!” Or a gentle correction. It really was a blast.

I want more!

When I was in Florence, the owner of the hotel I stayed at (the amazing Davanazti Hotel) would giggle at me a bit but then tell me I was doing well with my Italian. He said that most people didn’t bother to learn words like “Abbastanza” (enough) and “Pomeriggio” (afternoon).

He also told me I should find an Italian husband, which now that I’m back in the United States I think maybe I should.

I recently shared some of the ways I’m trying to get more Italian language into my life and my brain on the Italian Club of Salt Lake’s blog. You can read the whole post here. But here are the bullet points in case you want to get some bella lingua in your life.

Listening in the car – I commute each day to work about 35 minutes and listening to an Italian lesson or podcast in the car makes the drive more fun and the traffic less stressful.

Pimsleur – I’ve checked the CD’s out at the library and purchased some sections through Audible.com to have on my phone.

30 Minute Italian Podcast – I just recently found this podcast and I’m trying to catch up. I love Cher’s fun style.

Let’s Speak Italian Podcast – this is the first podcast I ever listened too, it’s great and short and gives you some great vocab practice.

Apps and Online – I’m always attached to a computer or my iPhone so I love things I can do for a few minutes several times a day.

Memrise – is available both online and has an app for iPhone and Android. And it’s FREE! This is my favorite right now.

Google Translate – I’ve been told not to rely on this because it’s not always accurate, but I use it often to check short phrases or look up a word. Both online and as an App.

WordReference – I just found this one and I haven’t used it much yet. You can search for a word in English or Italian and most words listen to the pronunciation.

Movies – If you have Netflix there are a lot of movies you can watch with and without subtitles. Here’s a few to start your list

Cinema Paradiso

Life is Beautiful

Marlena

Marriage Italian Style

YouTube – Oh YouTube you are such a fun way to waste time. But if you watch things in Italian you can call it learning.

Cartoons – watch something fun and that you are already familiar with like, Winnie the Pooh. Search for something your children watch(ed) or something from your childhood in Italian.

Music – There is a lot of Italian music available for every musical taste. Try this one (wow, can you believe the voices on those young men?!?!) or this one (just a fun summer song).

Lessons – There are also many Italian lessons available on YouTube, just do a quick search and you’re sure to find something that will help with your listening and pronunciation skills.

If a new Fiat really came with an Italian family I would rush right out and buy one. Wouldn’t that be cool to have them in the backseat!!

The Day We Went to Spoleto…

August 27, 2013

…and back to the story of my trip to Italy. We last left our heroine (me) in Rome after a busy day seeing Vatican City and a walking tour of piazzas.

Day 3 we said goodbye to bella Roma (beautiful Rome).

First glimpse of The Rocca which sits at the top of the hill in Spoleto.

And in Spoleto I fell in love. In love with Spoleto…don’t get excited. The closest I got to romance in Spoleto was a sweet, old man asking me to have coffee with him and telling me I was beautiful. I stumbled around with my Italian to tell him I was waiting for friends. I remember him turning around and waving goodbye to me again as he walked up the street. I should have had a coffee with the cute little man.

This medieval hill town is beyond all my Italian dreams and more beautiful that I can describe. I am making plans to live in Spoleto for 3 months in 2015.

First stop, our hotel the Palazzo Dragoni in the heart of the historic center of town. Palazzo means small palace and the palazzo dates back to the 1500 and parts of the building are built on ancient ruins. The views from every window are amazing. I’m pretty sure my room was the maid’s quarters, tucked away from the heart of the hotel. But I loved it. It was quiet and quaint and so old world Italian. And it was cozy and comfortable.

I could gaze out of my bathroom windows for hours. Seriously, the view from my bathroom!

Old world Italian charm. Some of the details of my room.

The curtains in my bedroom.

The view from the bedroom, past the curtains.

Once we settled into our rooms we were off to a fabulous Umbrian lunch feast.

Appetizer Sampler. It was a meal really! Just looking at this picture I melt into the memory of all those flavors. My first time having cantaloupe and prosciutto, thought it would be weird (fruit and cold cuts?!?!?)…not weird, so yummy! Umbria has a big farm to table outlook on food and everything was fresh and local.

More feasting on Umbrian fresh grilled vegetables. I don’t know what they do to the potatoes in Italy, but they are AH-MAZING!!! They are better than Idaho spuds…hands down!

Me and Laura at lunch.

Some pictures from our first stroll around town.

I guess I should finish the rest of the day in another post. Up next…our walk up to the Ponte delle Torri. If you’d like to read more about Spoleto check out Wikipedia, or just wait I’ll be back soon with more.

Intending on Italy

July 18, 2013

Intention: I will LIVE in Spoleto, Italy for 3 months the Spring of 2015.

This will be a few months after I turn 50. Everyone seems to find something big to do when they hit the big 5-0. Jump out of a plane. Learn a new skill. Have a big party. Go on a cruise. I’ve heard of lots of different celebrations.

But what do I want most? I want to live in Italy for a substantial amount of time that I can be a local. That I can really work on my Italian. Experience everyday life in Italy.

I want to BE Italian. (I have searched and searched and so far I have not discovered one ounce of Italian blood in my heritage…which honestly, disappoints me.)

I’m essentially a small town girl, having grown up in rural Utah. And the medieval town of Spoleto really spoke to my soul when I was there this year. I kept thinking, I could live here. (I also thought that about Assisi) I’m also drawn to the fact that big city culture (Rome and Florence) are a short train ride away and could go whenever I choose.

But how does a non-rich girl get herself to be able live in Italy for 3 months while maintaining her home in Utah at the same time?? I’m not wealthy. I struggle to pay the bills and have a little spending money each month just like everyone else I know.

I don’t have the answers to the how’s yet. But I am certain things will fall into place to make it so. I can take Design by Thauna anywhere in the world and for 3 months I will work from Italy.

Working with a view like this would be a dream come true!

And someday I will hike to the top of that scared mountain.

I did make it across the aqueduct and a bit up the mountain this year.

I want to be close enough to hear the church bells.

Next time in Spoleto, I will be ready for her hills and stairs leading to stairs of shortcuts. Which means getting in better shape. I want to hike to the top of the scared mountain and see the scared forest and the convent. I want to make a daily trek around the base of the Rocca and cross the Ponte delle Torr many times. On the way to the Ponte delle Torr, there is a little cafe with the most magnificent view. I will stop there for un caffe or una birra often. Sit. Enjoy. Count my blessings.

Blogging about my days in Spoleto is coming, I promise. And then maybe you will understand why I need to go back. Alla prossima volta (until next time).

Secondo Giorno a Roma {Part 2}

June 28, 2013

After the Vatican we took a city bus to lunch. I’m glad someone else was leading us because I was confused. And exhausted and hungry.

We had lunch at an adorable cafe and everything was yummy, of course!! You know me and pictures of food.

Oh bruschetta, I love you in all your forms and varieties.

I don’t know what this was called but it was baked goodness with pasta and cheese…what more do I need?

After lunch, our guide took us on a walking tour of a few piazzas and we got to go back to the Pantheon. 🙂

Trevi Fountain…amazing!

Yep I threw in a coin…I’ll be back.

And like I’ve mentioned, there were just a few people in Rome. (this is why I don’t have a picture from the front of the fountain)

Panorama of Trevi from my iPhone.

It’s everywhere, but I did not eat there….why would you, it’s Italy?!?!?

More waving at me from above…

So many beautiful building and windows…

I was surprised to see palm trees in Italy, this is the the Piazza di Spagna (square at the bottom of the Spanish Steps).

Spanish Steps….we’re going up. Just as soon as we can find a clear path.

This side looks better.

About a 1/3 of the way up.
We stopped about halfway to sit, enjoy the scenery and people watch.
Laura

Angie

Trinità dei Monti at the top of the steps.

The view from the top.

My first gelato…I was so excited my picture is blurry, forgive me. Our treat for climbing the Spanish Steps.

A little rest before dinner and then we walked to an little outdoor cafe a few blocks away. It was pretty awesome and there was some Roman ruins across the street. Wish I would have taken more pictures of the evening, but I think I was just exhausted.

Amazing pizza and wine.

Up next, Spoleto. That place stole a piece of my heart!!!

Secondo Giorno a Roma {Part 1 – Vatican City}

June 28, 2013

Day Two in Rome – Vatican City

Rome was very hectic the two days we were there. Filled with the regular tourists, but also filled with Italians from other parts of the country. Rome was on holiday. People were everywhere. Even Italians were in the lines at the Vatican. It was like being at Disneyland and finding out that day set a record for visitors (that happened to our family once).

Rome is beautiful. Regal. Steeped in history that boggles my mind. I kept thinking about the fact that the Roman Era overlaps the time of Jesus. And that just fills me which awe and wonder.

I would like to read more about history of Italy. Maybe I need to find some good historical fiction rooted in Italy so I can have a dose of history and a good story. Or maybe I’ll reread the Eat portion of Eat, Pray, Love. I relate to Ms. Gilbert’s desire to immerse herself in the culture and language of Italy.

I am inspired by the regal self-assurance of this city, so grounded and rounded, so amused and monumental, knowing she is held securely in the palm of history. I would like to be like Rome when I am an old lady.
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

I really I like Italian hotel breakfasts…a little bit of this and that. Nothing too heavy, but plenty to eat.

And ah the cappucino!!!

First view of St. Peter’s Square.

Our lovely group leaders, Giuliana and Laura, posing with some Go Learn Swag while we are waiting to go into St. Peter’s.

I’m not catholic, but I love all the statuary and beauty dedicated to God. I think it’s all pretty amazing. And I’m a sucker for Cherubs.

Even the ceilings are beautiful. I think he was waving at me saying “hey, Thauna welcome…enjoy and remember God is magnificent”

Here’s another one waving at me, Laura took this picture.

When we first arrived this is as close as we could get to Michelangelo’s Pieta. I was so disappointed to be so far away, but luckily they moved the barriers before we left and I was able to get the one below. It’s a challenge to get a good picture of something behind glass with lots of reflections and people pushing in to get a good spot. I had really wanted a “moment” with the Pieta to just look at it, ponder it, and cry. I warned the group that I may just sit on the floor in front of it and cry. But elbowing my way in to get as close as I can kind of took my “moment.”

I’ll have my moment looking at the picture. I have an art crush on Michelangelo. Just amazing isn’t it?!

More statuary …

Travel buddies Casey and Bonnie. (I traveled with some amazing people and we had so much fun)

More of the ceilings……..

Swiss Guards…I couldn’t get a good picture over the crowds.

Walking around the side of St. Peter’s Square on our way to the Vatican Museum.

A little street scene on the way.

Oh just me again….outside the Vatican museum.

I can’t remember the name of this painting or the artist (I need to find it) but I’d heard about it, seen it on TV, read about it and was very excited to see it. There are several prominent people from the Renaissance depicted.
And here is my “crush” included in the painting with his famous boots. The tapestries are amazing….
Ceiling covered in art…

Cappella Sistina (the Sistine Chapel) is the last stop on the tour of the Vatican Museum. No pictures are allowed. 🙁 Being the Michelangelo fan that I am, I was disappointment that I couldn’t take pictures. But more than that it was crowded, over crowded really. The guards are yelling and SHHHHing the whole time “no photos”, “no talking” and clapping their hands to keep people’s attention….add to that the crowd and I was a nervous wreck when we walked out of there. I did find tiny spot on a bench and sat there by myself in a sea of what felt like 1,000’s and tried to experience the beauty of the ceiling and think about Michelangelo.

I don’t know how we ended up in this corridor that was empty, but I had a momentarily breath of spaciousness.

Day 2 – to be continued. This is all before noon.

Prima Sera a Roma

June 12, 2013

(First evening in Rome)

We arrived in Rome on Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day marks the end of the Nazi occupation in Italy during WWII) and since it fell on a Thursday most Italians were enjoying a four day weekend. Rome was more crowded than usual and our first passeggiata (evening walk) gave us a glimpse of the crowds.

Our hotel was just a couple short blocks from the Piazza del Spagna or the Spanish Steps, which you can see where covered with people enjoying the day. The weather was perfect.

The Spanish Steps are a set of steps in Rome, Italy, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. The Scalinata is the widest staircase in Europe. – Wikipedia

Oh just a couple handsome polizia keeping the peace in the piazza.

Heading out of the piazza and onto the busy street, Via del Condotti.

I love the street signs.

Looking back up toward the Spanish Steps…can you see all the people?

Our vivacious leader, Guiliana all smiles welcoming us to Rome even though she just barely landed and arrived at the hotel. We gave her about 5 minutes to freshen up and then we were off on our first passeggiata (evening walk).

Time to consult the map. We are looking for the Pantheon.

Cool church along the way.

This was a surreal moment I’ll never forget. Just walking down the street and then Bam! Roman history right there in the middle of the city and you can just walk right up to it.

It still just boggles my mind to think that this is almost 2000 years old. From Wikipedia:

The Pantheon adjective understood as “[temple consecrated] to all gods”) is a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus as a temple to all the gods of ancient Rome, and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD.

The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus) to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft).

It is one of the best-preserved of all Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic church dedicated to “St. Mary and the Martyrs” but informally known as “Santa Maria della Rotonda.” The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda.

Completely amazing and I was awestruck.

)

But it was closed…(it’s ok we’ll be back

Fountains

More fountains

My beautiful friend Laura.

and now we are off to find our dinner location….heading away from the Pantheon.

all along the way there is beauty.

Practicing my Italian with the barista. He was such a good sport…and reported back to Giuliana (my Italian teacher) that I have 3 grown children and one grandbaby. He couldn’t believe I was a Nonna.

I love crosses against the sky

We came across some sort of political goings on the side of the Parliament Building on with TV news camera, and security and lots of people.

The front side of the parliament building

After two groups of us heading in different directions and a sprint through Roman streets we arrived at our dinner location all together.

Dinner in Rome. Pasta was a cream sauce with black pepper and amazing. Wine was wonderful every where. I don’t know what they do to the potatoes in Italy, but they are scrumptious. And a dessert sampler….mama mia!

Italian

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