Ciao.

I have arrived in Italy after a very long adventure to get here. I've been here for two days now but it seems like home already.

I will start this entry where my journey started...at the airport. Sadly America, I failed you and made us look like idiots. It began when I went to get my tickets and check in. I put my bag up on the counter to be weighed and the frenchman checking me in put his foot on the weight scale to make it more which i didnt notice and proceeded to tell me i was over the limit. i was freaking out cause i weight it before i came and then the funny funny frenchman laughed. Oh he thought he was funny. Then he asked me if I knew where Turin is, which is where we would end up eventually. Well it was late and I was tired and i said France cause that was the next place we were going and apparently my stupidity is hilarious since Turin is in Italy. Him and his french friend proceeded to laugh and laugh. I didnt think much of it until i found out he quizzed other people going on our trip too. After boarding the plane I ended up sitting next to Keisha which was nice company. She slept pretty well, I for some reason couldnt sleep. So I watched a few movies and then saw they offered games. I played solitaire but then got excited when I saw they had who wants to be a millionaire. This is again when I let America down. I couldnt make it past the $1000 mark. I usually am so good at this game at least I can make it pretty far but since this was the European version I was unable to succeed. Sad story. We arrived in Paris and had to walk literally in a huge circle to get to our connecting flight. It was a huge walk. A little french girl passed me and looked at my clothes and put her nose up in the air. I wanted to tell her to try going through puberty then she would understand my taste in clothes.

Our second flight was short and beautiful. I took a little nap and woke up and saw the beautiful moutains outside my window. They were so tall and majestic, I took pictures I will send them later. Luckily after this we have no probelms with out luggage, at least I didnt, one kid didnt have his luggage and they are sending it out today. After a few hours we get to Alba from Turin and I fall in love. While the city is covered in fog it is still beautiful. The landscape and the buildings are so beautifully crafted. The girls in my program have a choice of either living all 7 of us together in one apartment or 5 in one and 2 get their own apartment. We definitey wanted the second choice seeing as there is only one bathroom. So me, Keisha, Molly Mckee, Beth, and Cheryl moved into an apartment. It is on the second floor and it is wonderful. We dont have a lot in our apartment, they still have stuff to deliver but we are patiently awaiting. Paul set us up with some fruit, cheese, and other goodies to keep us happ till we could go to the grocery store. The bathroom door doesnt close all the way but we havent had any trouble yet.

After settling in a little we proceeded to go to dinner all together the music students and the sources students. It was a lot of fun. We ate at this wonderful restaurant with this amazing waiter who looked like 10 years old but managed to be one of the best waiters ever especially considering that he was serving over 20 people. His name is Diego, we are going to invite him to hang out with us later this weekend. We had a preset meal with neverending food. There were like 5 courses. It started with a spaghetti dish, then some type of beef stuff linguini i believe, some bread and cheese courses inbetween as well as some pizza. They asked us if we wanted dessert and I though they were kidding. While I am eatng good I am also walking a lot. Our apartment is the farthest from the school and Paul has been taking us around town. I feel very good. Later on after dinner we go back to our apartment and find out that our keys dont work. We had to get a man to come out at 11 to use hydrolics to get into the apartment. Oh the trouble we cause. It isn't as bad as the boys. They plugged something in and made power go out in multiple apartments in their building. Because of this an old man fell and he hurt something and had to go to the hospital. What a crazy time it has been.

We got to sleep in yesterday and then went to lunch at the cafeteria, which offers some great food. Then Paul took us around town to show us all the places. We got to see the other girls apartment which is very nice. After that me and some of the girls when shopping with Paul's family, his kids are so cute. Then he walked us around and showed us a few of his favorite places. He was really nice and bought us some gelatto. It was delicious. I still need a few things for my apartment especially an alarm clock. They have markets right outside our apartment on thursdays and saturdays. They sell cheap stuff and also give some stuff free like fruit. The people in this town know st marys and therefore offer us a lot. It is great. This is actually a pretty wealthy town. I have seen a few homeless people but have not once felt scared. I wouldnt want to walk alone at night too far but I feel very safe walking around town during the day. Last night we all got together and went out to dinner and then checked out each others apartments. The guys have a rooftop with a view, it is so beautiful. The people I am here with are all getting really close. Even after one night of hanging out. They are great people and we have a lot of fun together.

I had trouble sleeping last night and ended up waking up multiple times. I went back to sleep and Keisha was still in bed so i assumed it was early. Someone is buzzing our apartment and im all mad cause i have to get up and answer it and come to find that is 3 in the afternoon. This is why I really need that alarm clock. I missed out on a long hike today which is dissapointing but I will catch it next time. There is so much to experience. I cannot wait. Until next time...

Love you all
Ciao

Kat

P.S. Here is a link to pictures from the plane and my apartment. Enjoy.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021214&l=d02ea&id=115200176