OK, so the Lady GaGa song Bad Romance has been criminally stuck in my rotting brain all freakin day thanks to this little gem that was shared with me by my new boss Monica. You can thank her for the passing of infectious catchy songs that plague your subconscious all day!
Check this video out though, even if you hate the tune, you can dig the performance (video is a little loud with crowd participation at first...) Scan down just a bit and play the video - AMAZING!!!
CLICK HERE! OR HERE! Either way you win! Its the University of Oregon's A Capella group On The Rocks doing a little cover work - amazing!
But most of all the tune made me miss my two favorite little Scrippy Brats Carson and Aubrey. For those of you just tuning in, they are the offspring of my friend and confidant Tammy Rice. Tammy has been a good friend (and an even more amazing Mom) since way back in high school when I was head over keester for her friend Margie Lewis. We reconnected this fall after a long hiatus and she was kind enough to take me with her and the kids on some fun little weekend jaunts, getting yelled at by Sea World staff for ringing a giant gong (hey? Who wouldn't!?), chasing a toddler around Scripps Aquarium, and getting a nice sunburn at several at Aubrey's water polo matches to name a few. But it seemed that everywhere we went there was that tune, Lady GaGa's Bad Romance blaring from car stereos, and TV programs, the song was inescapable. And as much as it annoys, it became such a good inside joke for the 4 of us that I still got a little chill today when Monica shared the version you just watched. So this post is for the Rice Bowl Kids!
Miss you guys, and truthfully, I have not had more fun with a couple of knucklehead kids as I did with you guys this fall and winter! I miss a lot of things about the US; burritos, being able to understand what the hell people are saying to me, my friends, But I especially miss those fun filled, easy going, junk food filled weekends hanging out with the Rice Family, goofing, laughing, singing crappy pop music, school projects...all of it! You guys really showed me alot of love when I needed it very much and I wont soon forget that. It means the world to me.
I cant wait to share some of these adventures, pictures, and crappy POP songs from Italy with you two when I get back to the states. I think about you often, most every day, and hope that one day I can share this experience with you, share the adventure and oddities of traveling to a new place with you, to encourage you to go someplace totally different, and to hear some GaGa on the radio loud and clear. Till then I wear my tee shirts with pride!!
Miss you both,
Love you much!
Stay Golden!
and do something wicked nice for Tam on Mom's Day (May 9th this year!)
S.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
market day...
Another excerpt from the pages of journal...actually these were written on the back of copies of maps, even better! Try to guess what the onomatopoeia refers to in the beginning...answers at the bottom.
26th Aprile
"clickety clak clak clickety clak clak clak....
brbbrrr brrbrbr brrbrbr brrbrbbrrbr brbr.....
cl-clank! uff.
coo coool cooollc cooo...
vsfss vsfss vsfss vsfsss vsfsvsf....
sitting in the square in Faenza. 20° today, the first real hot day in a while and theres a ton of people whizzing by on bikes. This town is so my speed! A shy little black boy, maybe 5, with one training wheel on his brightly coloured bikes eats absolute SHIT right in front of me on the cobblestones, looks up and laughs. Girls float by in summer dresses flowing on the fenders of sensible city bikes. Women with short dark hair and BIG sunglasses spin through the plaza sharing stories of the weekend and the leftover clomp clomp clomp of winter's boots fades behind me, giving way to the open toed pleasures this humid valley provides. A peaceful man walks an equally poised pointer and 20-somethings talk wildly on their cell phones. Maybe they were right back at the Farm, this city is teeming now, and hints at an even busier summer to come. A vested chihuahua strains his leash yapping at pigeons unimpressed. Teenagers roll by 2-up on bike racks, one on a front rack, facing her chivalrous pilot. I stopped in a bike and gear shop, the owner of which shared with me stories of his father, who was on the national Italian cycling team both before the war and after in 1937 and 1947 (I think is what he said). His ancient wool collared yellow jersey hanging proudly in the store window,the contours of it's rips sewn back together haphazardly as surely Italy was in the years following WWII. I look up at the distinct sound of mountain bike tires humming across the plaza. I feel like counting bikes.....less than 2 minuti for over 100 bikes! Only two guys in stretchy pants, and at least 5 with a passenger (or two!)! I AM HOME!"
29th Aprile
"trees open in all directions, stretching to meet the spring sun
poppies whisper their empty promises to the lavender
As butterflies flutter nervously about
truth dancing wistfully from their wings.
Sitting just off the main plaza in Faenza, sipping a Becks against the marble walls, the bustle of market fades and in its place the vacuum of people, bicycles, and small twisters of tissue and paperboard - the only evidence of commerce left. Soon the shutters will open again and bikes will rattle and shake their way across the ancient cobbles towards supper and aperitivi.
Mild successes today (market, art store, phamacia...) have left me with a hopeful feeling, with every week bringing me new knowledge and new opportunities to learn about this place I want to call home."
Here are some pics:
.
.
Answers to the sounds...
a) - shit bike rattling through the square
b) - chainguard rubbing a tire
c) - the kid who fell over
d) - pigeons
e) - track pants scurrying home.
26th Aprile
"clickety clak clak clickety clak clak clak....
brbbrrr brrbrbr brrbrbr brrbrbbrrbr brbr.....
cl-clank! uff.
coo coool cooollc cooo...
vsfss vsfss vsfss vsfsss vsfsvsf....
sitting in the square in Faenza. 20° today, the first real hot day in a while and theres a ton of people whizzing by on bikes. This town is so my speed! A shy little black boy, maybe 5, with one training wheel on his brightly coloured bikes eats absolute SHIT right in front of me on the cobblestones, looks up and laughs. Girls float by in summer dresses flowing on the fenders of sensible city bikes. Women with short dark hair and BIG sunglasses spin through the plaza sharing stories of the weekend and the leftover clomp clomp clomp of winter's boots fades behind me, giving way to the open toed pleasures this humid valley provides. A peaceful man walks an equally poised pointer and 20-somethings talk wildly on their cell phones. Maybe they were right back at the Farm, this city is teeming now, and hints at an even busier summer to come. A vested chihuahua strains his leash yapping at pigeons unimpressed. Teenagers roll by 2-up on bike racks, one on a front rack, facing her chivalrous pilot. I stopped in a bike and gear shop, the owner of which shared with me stories of his father, who was on the national Italian cycling team both before the war and after in 1937 and 1947 (I think is what he said). His ancient wool collared yellow jersey hanging proudly in the store window,the contours of it's rips sewn back together haphazardly as surely Italy was in the years following WWII. I look up at the distinct sound of mountain bike tires humming across the plaza. I feel like counting bikes.....less than 2 minuti for over 100 bikes! Only two guys in stretchy pants, and at least 5 with a passenger (or two!)! I AM HOME!"
29th Aprile
"trees open in all directions, stretching to meet the spring sun
poppies whisper their empty promises to the lavender
As butterflies flutter nervously about
truth dancing wistfully from their wings.
Sitting just off the main plaza in Faenza, sipping a Becks against the marble walls, the bustle of market fades and in its place the vacuum of people, bicycles, and small twisters of tissue and paperboard - the only evidence of commerce left. Soon the shutters will open again and bikes will rattle and shake their way across the ancient cobbles towards supper and aperitivi.
Mild successes today (market, art store, phamacia...) have left me with a hopeful feeling, with every week bringing me new knowledge and new opportunities to learn about this place I want to call home."
Here are some pics:
.
.
Answers to the sounds...
a) - shit bike rattling through the square
b) - chainguard rubbing a tire
c) - the kid who fell over
d) - pigeons
e) - track pants scurrying home.
Monday, April 26, 2010
I almost Forgot...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHILIP!!!!!
Sunday April 25th is my good buddy Philip's (aka Carson Nugent) 8th Birthday.
Sorry I cant be there to help you stuff your piggy face full of cake buddy, but here's wishing you a big happy B-Day today!
Miss you
Scott
Sunday April 25th is my good buddy Philip's (aka Carson Nugent) 8th Birthday.
Sorry I cant be there to help you stuff your piggy face full of cake buddy, but here's wishing you a big happy B-Day today!
Miss you
Scott
Sunday, April 25, 2010
bad news....
I have some sad news...brace yourself...here it is...I'm not coming back. There I said it, I know, I know, its going to be a little upsetting at first, but think about it, you now have a friend who lives in ITALY! And who lives in a huge farmhouse with a ton of little twin beds for you to slumber in. (Don't worry Heather, you know you can always slide yours next to mine...) And your buddy Scotty has a fleet of bikes for you to borrow for epic rides in the wine and food region of Emilia Romagna. Its really a win win situation for us both.
After yesterday's bike delivery up and over the Alpines and into Cortona, which brought me back to La Fattoria around 9pm I was excited to get to bed early, wake up refreshed, have a good bite, and go out on a ride. When Igor called to confirm a mountain bike ride in the hills nearby I said "Why yessirree I would like that very much!" He scooped me up around noon (you know how mountain bike rides start a little later...) and we headed to one of the nearby national parcos. I was relieved and feeling pretty good that Igor, an Emilia Romagna native got totally lost on the way with map in hand, makes me feel better about my own lack of directional ability. I think its just the Italian navigational mindset, sort of given up to the fact that because of the ancient road patterns across the state you are just going to have to deal.
Ill let the photos do the rest of the story telling...
BREAKY, yes that IS a bloody, but made with grappa, not so good.
And after yesterday's drive it was much needed. You tell me which way I should go to get around Arezzo, and you should know that EVERY red line on this map has the same freeway number, and several traffic circles. Winner gets a prize!
How many rides do you know of start in a city built in the MIDDLE AGES on the banks of a river!?!?
. 
Laundry day always makes me smile, especially as we get the map out at another intersection...
little road approach and then at the National Park it turns to dirt.
Stopped to check out this park with a hut you can stay in cheap and this killer green lake!
Climbed some more...ALOT more! 20 minutes or so after the park with the lake we are near the top of our 700 meter climb with a view of the park we were just in (its the green patch below). If that don't make your burning legs feel like a single-speed tough guy I don't know what will!
One last steep-ass pitch and I see a good chance to let my heart rate drop to a non-lethal level and represent a little 415. This is for my single speed hommies back in the City by the Gay. Then a killer double track descent whizzing down the mountain. Never have I had so much fun on such a wide trail. I am reassured that this is a beginner ride and the single track is unbelievable.
Back to the road, took a pic of the stream, closed the loop on the ride and back to the town to seek out a beer. Today was a national holiday, an independence day of sorts, 25 Aprile is when the nazzis got the big jack boot out of Italy. Ironically we parked in a park that commemorates the day, and the shops were closed. Tons of cute olde timers out though...like this gypsy woman wearing a sweater I think i have back in my storage unit somewhere. And another cool bike parked by the river all alone.
Its ok, you can always come and visit....
S.
After yesterday's bike delivery up and over the Alpines and into Cortona, which brought me back to La Fattoria around 9pm I was excited to get to bed early, wake up refreshed, have a good bite, and go out on a ride. When Igor called to confirm a mountain bike ride in the hills nearby I said "Why yessirree I would like that very much!" He scooped me up around noon (you know how mountain bike rides start a little later...) and we headed to one of the nearby national parcos. I was relieved and feeling pretty good that Igor, an Emilia Romagna native got totally lost on the way with map in hand, makes me feel better about my own lack of directional ability. I think its just the Italian navigational mindset, sort of given up to the fact that because of the ancient road patterns across the state you are just going to have to deal.
Ill let the photos do the rest of the story telling...
BREAKY, yes that IS a bloody, but made with grappa, not so good.And after yesterday's drive it was much needed. You tell me which way I should go to get around Arezzo, and you should know that EVERY red line on this map has the same freeway number, and several traffic circles. Winner gets a prize!
How many rides do you know of start in a city built in the MIDDLE AGES on the banks of a river!?!?
. 
Laundry day always makes me smile, especially as we get the map out at another intersection...
little road approach and then at the National Park it turns to dirt.
Stopped to check out this park with a hut you can stay in cheap and this killer green lake!
Climbed some more...ALOT more! 20 minutes or so after the park with the lake we are near the top of our 700 meter climb with a view of the park we were just in (its the green patch below). If that don't make your burning legs feel like a single-speed tough guy I don't know what will!
One last steep-ass pitch and I see a good chance to let my heart rate drop to a non-lethal level and represent a little 415. This is for my single speed hommies back in the City by the Gay. Then a killer double track descent whizzing down the mountain. Never have I had so much fun on such a wide trail. I am reassured that this is a beginner ride and the single track is unbelievable.
Back to the road, took a pic of the stream, closed the loop on the ride and back to the town to seek out a beer. Today was a national holiday, an independence day of sorts, 25 Aprile is when the nazzis got the big jack boot out of Italy. Ironically we parked in a park that commemorates the day, and the shops were closed. Tons of cute olde timers out though...like this gypsy woman wearing a sweater I think i have back in my storage unit somewhere. And another cool bike parked by the river all alone.
Its ok, you can always come and visit....
S.
Friday, April 23, 2010
La Settimana Molto Occupata!!
Seriously...with all the tour leaders being at the Farm, the recent tours that left and a bunch of rentals that needed to be prepped, not to mention loading 25 hybrids going to Croatia (more on that in a bit), cooking and cleaning, of course a little drinking, getting loose at the Clan Destino, having a massive allergy attack that had me laid out flat, I have just not had time for much typing...plus I always have so much to say that I cant just post a little note...y'all know THAT!
Loads has happened in the last week I'm not sure where to start...lets try to go in chronological order with photos (and as few embellishments as possible...) Click on photos to get a closer looksy...
FRIDAY - A bunch of the tour guides show up for the weekend of training. We meet and greet and EAT! Seriously, the Italians know how to serve a big meal, and the funny thing is that its not wasteful crap, its good fresh healthy food and despite feeling like a nap every day after lunch you dont feel like the kid of divorce who goes to like 4 thanksgiving dinners in a day and wants to explode. A couple tour guides didn't make it because of canceled flights from volcanic ash and glass in the airspace above Europe. I was skeptical but nicknamed the disaster Hurricane Bjork since it, like the swan wearing musical goddess, hails from Iceland. Where was I... oh yeah, tour guides... and food!
Im half way down the table...
SATURDAY - James and I facilitated the mechanics training for all the returning tour guides while Igor managed to give some basic understanding to the new guides. We had to move indoors, and the language barriers were fun to try to explain things but all in all if you take a tour with this little outfit, you will be in good hands. They even know what a limit screw is for!
...
Saturday Nite provided a little respite from the Farm in the form of a local tradition called Sagra Di Primavera (don't forget to trill your rrrr's).
... 
Its basically a local festival welcoming spring with locally made vino (free) and local traditional foods. I cant remember what anything was called but it was damn good. And like all festivals it provided for some great people watching. There was supposed to be a band but since it was raining again they moved a couple dudes in to play crappy 80's covers on a keyboard and drum machine, try to see if you can hear it over the voices...yes that's right, a little Lionel Ritchie goes a long way in my book!
Turns out Italians aren't that much different than Americans, all the way down to the high waist-ed thong and the low waist-ed jeans as seen here over my shoulder...
...kids will be kids...
That night we decided to head out to the Clan Destino, a local (Faenza) bar with some pool tables (in the royal burberry no less) and live music, no cover and great drinks. I again went with (a couple of) Negroni's and a beer before we split. All in all it was fun, a little Foosball in the back room with new friends. Cool 3 wheel bike outside made for some good drunk photos. Try to make out the print on Igor's shirt under his sweater, a man after my own heart when it comes to clothes. You can bet I will spend the rest of the summer convincing him it will look much better with the sleeves cut off!
.
.
Sunday - Sunday morning came sooner than I expected and away we went with more training, this time it was sunny so we could venture outside. I got dizzy spells on top of the van but it was worth it for this shot... And there is a new addition to the tool box...for all you cigaretters.
.
Another big meal and a low key night before the first-aid and cpr class on Monday.
MONDAY - CPR and first aid for the rest, I laid low and finished up some bike builds. In the afternoon, we parted ways with some of the guides, most notable of which has to be Marie, her super-cool Dad and his dog Kip, who because of the canceled flights DROVE all the way from southern France in his cool ass VW Bus. A committed drive for a new hire indeed!
.
We divied up last year's tee shirts... I'll let you guess which one of these handsome gentlemen is Michele... Afterwards, a few remaining guides were sticking around so a bunch of us headed out on one of the coolest group rides I have ever been on.
. 
Through the hills, back down to town for a beverage at the local watering hole...
.
Eliza sometimes doubts this guy...
no hands + beer= tourguide
Christina 
Stephania
James... 
Philipe, note the obvious German beer!
TUESDAY - More bike builds and allergies, I was miserable, but the first big tour of the season got out of here without a hitch, and we have not heard from them yet. No News is Good News around these parts.
Stefi's van loaded
WEDNESDAY - Bike builds for us, and a big load out for a fleet of bikes going to Croatia. Andro is a cool guy whose parents have been in the tourism business for years. He runs sort of an affiliate in Croatia and you should watch this blog for my summer adventures with him. I have to leave for a bit in August on my tourism visa and I will be headed there to party, explore, and ride bikes with Andro.
Andro's New Bikes.
THURSDAY - Thursday was big!! James and I got some 411 on mountain bike trails and set out to find em and get some dirt time in. The trails are RAD, but not really meant for bikes. Not sure if the pictures will show it in true form but at one point we had handlebars in front and above our heads, the seat-post next to my head, and pushing the bike up what amounted to steeper-than-stairs trails.
billy goat!
You know when you run into a mountain goat that you are on a steep trail.
We pushed on and found some amazing sections of trail, great vistas along a ridge line, a church with a crazy cave offering behind it, and amazing scenery. We got back to the farm, had showers, and Philipe (Spanish Tour Guide extraordinaire, and speaker of like 4 languages!) rallied up a BBQ fit for a couple dirt bag mountain bikers who earlier that day had their asses handed to them. After stopping at the store for delicious frozen treats of course...
.
.
.
.
..
Heres a video of the highest point...
giggle
Its been a good week. I wont say there were not times that were tough, with schedules, and running out of steam, the close quarters, sharing rooms with snorers (that was everyone BUT me!), and some allergies mixed in, but the people, the places, the food, have all been amazing and all have amazing stories to tell.
MESSAGE FOR AUBREY AND CARSON... for god sake TAKE A LANGUAGE CLASS IN SCHOOL!!! seriously the only thing that separates people of the world is language! Don't dick around with taking 3 years of Spanish in high school in SAN DIEGO! you can go outside and learn Spanish down there! Or get a job helping out in a kitchen, I have learned more Spanish vocabulary at work than I ever did in school (ok I'm exaggerating...but you get my point) If you have another language so much more of the world is open to you. My Spanish helps a little here, but the only English interactions we have had so far is from the North African hustlers in the parking lot of the mall. They offer you parking spaces, watch your car, and try to sell you busted crap, but those guy get to hustle the way they do specifically because they have language, and most of them speak at least 3 and all pretty well. As much as I talk and as much as like to listen to the conversations around me, here in Italy I often have no idea what is being said, or know how to join in. Its not tough because the language is fun just to listen to. Its Kinda like this...
But it would be much more fun if I know how to navigate the culture, the sayings, the hand gestures, and the jokes. I don't even think anyone would get it if I yelled PENIS in a crowded restaurant, and I certainly would not be able to explain myself as they are throwing me out. Take French, or Latin, or Italian, take something other than Spanish, unless you want to go to Spain, which I am in May and will let you know if the Spanish I have learned does a lick of good over there. Miss you guys, be good, see you soon. Untill then...click here.
S.
Loads has happened in the last week I'm not sure where to start...lets try to go in chronological order with photos (and as few embellishments as possible...) Click on photos to get a closer looksy...
FRIDAY - A bunch of the tour guides show up for the weekend of training. We meet and greet and EAT! Seriously, the Italians know how to serve a big meal, and the funny thing is that its not wasteful crap, its good fresh healthy food and despite feeling like a nap every day after lunch you dont feel like the kid of divorce who goes to like 4 thanksgiving dinners in a day and wants to explode. A couple tour guides didn't make it because of canceled flights from volcanic ash and glass in the airspace above Europe. I was skeptical but nicknamed the disaster Hurricane Bjork since it, like the swan wearing musical goddess, hails from Iceland. Where was I... oh yeah, tour guides... and food!
Im half way down the table...SATURDAY - James and I facilitated the mechanics training for all the returning tour guides while Igor managed to give some basic understanding to the new guides. We had to move indoors, and the language barriers were fun to try to explain things but all in all if you take a tour with this little outfit, you will be in good hands. They even know what a limit screw is for!
...Saturday Nite provided a little respite from the Farm in the form of a local tradition called Sagra Di Primavera (don't forget to trill your rrrr's).
... 
Its basically a local festival welcoming spring with locally made vino (free) and local traditional foods. I cant remember what anything was called but it was damn good. And like all festivals it provided for some great people watching. There was supposed to be a band but since it was raining again they moved a couple dudes in to play crappy 80's covers on a keyboard and drum machine, try to see if you can hear it over the voices...yes that's right, a little Lionel Ritchie goes a long way in my book!
Turns out Italians aren't that much different than Americans, all the way down to the high waist-ed thong and the low waist-ed jeans as seen here over my shoulder...
...kids will be kids...That night we decided to head out to the Clan Destino, a local (Faenza) bar with some pool tables (in the royal burberry no less) and live music, no cover and great drinks. I again went with (a couple of) Negroni's and a beer before we split. All in all it was fun, a little Foosball in the back room with new friends. Cool 3 wheel bike outside made for some good drunk photos. Try to make out the print on Igor's shirt under his sweater, a man after my own heart when it comes to clothes. You can bet I will spend the rest of the summer convincing him it will look much better with the sleeves cut off!
.
.
Sunday - Sunday morning came sooner than I expected and away we went with more training, this time it was sunny so we could venture outside. I got dizzy spells on top of the van but it was worth it for this shot... And there is a new addition to the tool box...for all you cigaretters.
.
Another big meal and a low key night before the first-aid and cpr class on Monday.
MONDAY - CPR and first aid for the rest, I laid low and finished up some bike builds. In the afternoon, we parted ways with some of the guides, most notable of which has to be Marie, her super-cool Dad and his dog Kip, who because of the canceled flights DROVE all the way from southern France in his cool ass VW Bus. A committed drive for a new hire indeed!
.
We divied up last year's tee shirts... I'll let you guess which one of these handsome gentlemen is Michele... Afterwards, a few remaining guides were sticking around so a bunch of us headed out on one of the coolest group rides I have ever been on.
. 
Through the hills, back down to town for a beverage at the local watering hole...
.
Eliza sometimes doubts this guy...
no hands + beer= tourguide
Christina 
Stephania
James... 
Philipe, note the obvious German beer!TUESDAY - More bike builds and allergies, I was miserable, but the first big tour of the season got out of here without a hitch, and we have not heard from them yet. No News is Good News around these parts.
Stefi's van loadedWEDNESDAY - Bike builds for us, and a big load out for a fleet of bikes going to Croatia. Andro is a cool guy whose parents have been in the tourism business for years. He runs sort of an affiliate in Croatia and you should watch this blog for my summer adventures with him. I have to leave for a bit in August on my tourism visa and I will be headed there to party, explore, and ride bikes with Andro.
Andro's New Bikes.THURSDAY - Thursday was big!! James and I got some 411 on mountain bike trails and set out to find em and get some dirt time in. The trails are RAD, but not really meant for bikes. Not sure if the pictures will show it in true form but at one point we had handlebars in front and above our heads, the seat-post next to my head, and pushing the bike up what amounted to steeper-than-stairs trails.
billy goat!You know when you run into a mountain goat that you are on a steep trail.
We pushed on and found some amazing sections of trail, great vistas along a ridge line, a church with a crazy cave offering behind it, and amazing scenery. We got back to the farm, had showers, and Philipe (Spanish Tour Guide extraordinaire, and speaker of like 4 languages!) rallied up a BBQ fit for a couple dirt bag mountain bikers who earlier that day had their asses handed to them. After stopping at the store for delicious frozen treats of course...
.
.
.
.
..
Heres a video of the highest point...
giggle
Its been a good week. I wont say there were not times that were tough, with schedules, and running out of steam, the close quarters, sharing rooms with snorers (that was everyone BUT me!), and some allergies mixed in, but the people, the places, the food, have all been amazing and all have amazing stories to tell.
MESSAGE FOR AUBREY AND CARSON... for god sake TAKE A LANGUAGE CLASS IN SCHOOL!!! seriously the only thing that separates people of the world is language! Don't dick around with taking 3 years of Spanish in high school in SAN DIEGO! you can go outside and learn Spanish down there! Or get a job helping out in a kitchen, I have learned more Spanish vocabulary at work than I ever did in school (ok I'm exaggerating...but you get my point) If you have another language so much more of the world is open to you. My Spanish helps a little here, but the only English interactions we have had so far is from the North African hustlers in the parking lot of the mall. They offer you parking spaces, watch your car, and try to sell you busted crap, but those guy get to hustle the way they do specifically because they have language, and most of them speak at least 3 and all pretty well. As much as I talk and as much as like to listen to the conversations around me, here in Italy I often have no idea what is being said, or know how to join in. Its not tough because the language is fun just to listen to. Its Kinda like this...
But it would be much more fun if I know how to navigate the culture, the sayings, the hand gestures, and the jokes. I don't even think anyone would get it if I yelled PENIS in a crowded restaurant, and I certainly would not be able to explain myself as they are throwing me out. Take French, or Latin, or Italian, take something other than Spanish, unless you want to go to Spain, which I am in May and will let you know if the Spanish I have learned does a lick of good over there. Miss you guys, be good, see you soon. Untill then...click here.
S.