On the way to Perugia

It is so lucky that when I moved to a chinese hostel in Rome, there are 2 girls who are studying in Perugia. That is only one day before moving to Perugia that I still have no accommodation and with 3 baggages.

They gave me a link and helped me to organise to call the 2nd land lord. I just come with one of the girl and on the way to Perugia, that is another guy that she knew help me to bring the baggages.

In the train, there was a man just opposite of us. He gave me a cake as he said he want to share. Or may be I stare on his cake when he was eating. But he told me in Turkey, people share the food when they eat. I don’t know it is true or not, but I was very hungry and accept it.

At last the two chinese girl and guy brought me to see that accommodation and I get it tonight in the same day to arrive Perugia.

I hope everything goes smooth and learn Italian well here.

Capri

The day before we went Capri form Napoli, we went to the pier to buy tickets as we went to get a cheap ticket which costs 11 Euro but others costs 17 Euro. And the departure time is very early in 7:36 am in the morning. We know that there are too many unknown factors in Italy, so we went there to buy but unfortunately they do not pre-sell ferry tickets.

Then we wake up very early at 6 and then arrive the pier at 7:22 but the ticketing has closed! And one young lady told me she arrived 20 mins before but the window of ticketing has already closed. So at last we wait for 30 mins but go for another expensive tickets.

…… to be continue

People in Napoli

People in Napoli is very nice. They come to help before we ask for it. Especially the elderly woman and man.

Once we were so hungry as the hostel was cheating us to come and then ask us to go another place he connected in order to get his commission. But my baggages are extremely heavy, so after we settled everything was already 4pm without lunch. So we just walking via the old street to find some food. As it was the resting hours so we cannot find the place with pasta. At last one old lady came and I used my simple keywords to communicate, “ HO FAME” then she brought us to restaurants via the whole streets 2 times as really they were closed.

Everyday at least 2 people come to us and remind us to bring the bags in the front. They are so sweet.

Impression

This is the second time I come to Firenze, it is so amazing that it remains almost the same feeling as if I was here in 16 years ago.

I still impressed by the small little shops, especially some stationary small shops selling iron stamps & calligraphy pen. It is almost the same, it is more energetic but still artistic.

And I remember why I would like to spend a year here in Italy. My impression of Italy is based on Firenze! So when I want to study aboard in Europe, my first choice was coming out spontaneously, Italy.

And it was a story that happened many many years ago.

I went into a small shop which was selling antiques and I like the craftsmanship a lot a lot. I found a small but tall cabinet with 5 small drawers, there are 5 paper with calligraphy on it. So I talked to the man who was not really able to communicate in English, but at last we were very happy to close the deal.

In the meantime, his wife suddenly came in and flighted to the man, and of course we realized that they were fighting about the price or some other stuffs. I do not remember why, she just leave and the man just immediately wrapped the cabinet for me. And he let me knew do not worry about his wife! It was a very lovely story! They are so expressive and funny. That is Italy, that is real Italy, that is my impression of Italy.

And now I coming back to Firenze, I still can feel it! I walked randomly along the streets, near the river, I still love it. Walking upon the river and I saw a shop that some people concentrate to painting. I entered the shop and asking what were they doing, and know that it is a workshop, people come to draw but not attending a course. You come to draw one piece of art work, it can use 2 weeks or 1 month to finish it.

I keep asking why I did not come to Firenze, more than 10 times.

Ask for suggestion - Accommodation and Places to visit

Just almost finished booking in Firenze & Tuscany. As I want to stay in Tuscany's Villa so need to rearrange the places to stay.

But still have no idea on Napoli and Capri. I guess Naopli is very messy, I do not really like to go there but if I shall go there in order to access Capri.

Ask for some suggestion here.

far away or not far away

The first day to leave Milano, feeling bad and missing the old days.

Physically in Venezia but my soul is staying in Milano. Want to go back Milano to see you guys once again and here seems not so far from Milano.

Very strange feeling.

Goodbye Milano

It may be too rush to say goodbye. Still packing at 2 am but need to wake up at 5:30am. I do not like so rush but leaving first may reduce the sadness.

Goodbye and really have good time with you guys.

你留意過你的父母嗎？

如果你在一個平凡的家庭長大，如果你的父母還健在，

不管你有沒有和他們同住——
如果有一天，你發現媽媽的廚房不再像以前那麼乾淨；
如果有一天，你發現家中的碗筷好像沒洗乾淨；
如果有一天，你發現母親的鍋子不再雪亮；
如果有一天，你發現父親的花草樹木已漸荒廢；
如果有一天，你發現家中的地板衣櫃經常沾滿灰塵；
如果有一天，你發現母親煮的菜太鹹太難吃；
如果有一天，你發現父母經常忘記關瓦斯；
如果有一天，你發現老父老母的一些習慣不再是習慣時，

就像他們不再想要天天洗澡時；
如果有一天，你發現父母不再愛吃青脆的蔬果；
如果有一天，你發現父母愛吃煮得爛爛的菜；
如果有一天，你發現父母喜歡吃稀飯；
如果有一天，你發現他們過馬路行動反應都慢了；
如果有一天，你發現在吃飯時間他們老是咳個不停，

千萬別誤以為他們感冒或著涼，(那是吞嚥神經老化的現象) ；
如果有一天，你發覺他們不再愛出門……
如果有這麼一天，我要告訴你，………

你要警覺父母真的已經老了，器官已經退化到需要別人照料了。
如果你不能照料，請你替他們找人照料，並請你請你千萬千萬要常常探望，不要讓他們覺得被遺棄了。

每個人都會老，父母比我們先老，我們要用角色互換的心情去照料他，才會有耐心、才不會有怨言，當父母不能照顧自己的時候，為人子女要警覺，他們可能會大小便失禁、可能會很多事都做不好，如果房間有異味，可能他們自己也聞不到，請不要嫌他臟或嫌他臭，為人子女的只能幫他清理，並請維持他們的“自尊心”。

當他們不再愛洗澡時，請抽空定期幫他們洗身體，因為縱使他們自己洗也可能洗不干淨。當我們在享受食物的時候，請替他們準備一份大小適當、容易咀嚼的一小碗，因為他們不愛吃可能是牙齒咬不動了。
從我們出生開始，餵奶換尿布、生病的不眠不休照料、教我們生活基本能力、供給讀書、吃喝玩樂和補習，關心和行動永遠都不停歇。如果有一天，他們真的動不了了，角色互換不也是應該的嗎？
為人子女者要切記，看父母就是看自己的未來，孝順要及時。
樹欲靜而風不止、子欲養而親不在

19.48kg

I remain 1% ability to speak Italian but still body language helps. I borrowed a cart from the management man in my building.

Gian helped me to move the box to post office. We just know the weight of the box is 19.48kg after we put it onto the weighting machine! So so lucky! Otherwise, I have to unpack and pack again there in post office or I have to move the box back!

Still need to hurry up to pack 1 baggage to Perugia for using 1 month, I will move it to Firenze in my classmate room. And other baggage for 2 weeks trip. One bigger baggage for staying in Milano and I will bring back to HK myself.

Time files

I remember the first day come to Milano is around 21 October 2010 and today is 10 July 2011.

Less than 1 year intensive course is quite rush, I planned to go one region in Italy or Europe every month, but at last I cannot make it.

I have told my self to stay more time in Italy and not really want to travel too much and don’t want too rush trips.

Now it is the time to leave Italy, need a period to cool down. Also to run up for this one year trip in Italy, I need time to be quite. I hope I will have good moment to stay in small town.

lovely Say

My lovely old secondary classmates replied in a job interview,

“ If you said life is short, then I take 1 year rest now is just on timing.”

“ But if you said life is long, then I take 1 year rest is not too long.”

It is so true.

I have almost taken 1 year rest aboard in my life.

I am not good in time management and also manage myself.

But it is very treasurable to have a break in life.

Go ahead to finish the project

15 days to go and finish the final project.