(I started writing this post, and without thinking started writing in Italian... I suppose that's a good sign, right? anyways, pardon me if the writing is a bit dull... my brain is kinda dead after a full day of Italian...)

Today I went to Torino with Caterina. It was a fun day out of the city, fairly uneventful, but fun none the less. I always had a bit of a bad impression of Torino... for some reason I thought it was a rather ugly town (I blame my friend Alex from Napoli.. who lived there for a year and was always complaining about it). Proved myself wrong though today. it's actually quite a nice town, and I'd like to return another day... a day that is a bit warmer perhaps so I can enjoy walking around more.

Our primary reason for going was to go to a photography exhibit of Robert Mapplethorpe. I have to admit that I didnt know anything about him except for a brochure that Caterina showed me for the exhibit, and asked if I wanted to go. I was excited to get out of Milano and go somewhere new, so I quickly said yes. The exhibit was interesting, fairly pornographic, but there were some humerous parts, and some parts that made you think. Overall a good exhibit.

We also went to the Egyption museum, which was quite different after the photos. It's been awhile since I've been to a museum with Egyption stuff, so it was interesting as well. It turned into a bit of a treasure hunt trying to find the entrance to the museum, as we were right where it was marked on our handy map from the train station tourist office, yet all we found was a Benneton (and some how resisted the urge to go in... holding out for those January sales!) We eventually found the entrance after going almost completely around the building.



The street outside of the building had all these flags hanging... not sure why... anyone know?



blah blah blah. Anyways, enough of that. As for the city, it was rather nice, but eirily deserted all day. We arrived around 11 am, and the streets were so quiet, and empty of life. Quite odd. The city looked quite different than Milano (sorry mom, meant to take a picture of the architecture... but kept thinking i would do it later and then forgot....) It was much more austrian than Italian looking. Both of us really felt as though we had gone to another country... you know, other than the occasional Italian we heard. I did take a picture of the river though, and the Castello del Valentino....





By the time we were done with the egyption museum it was around 5, and we were quite hungry as we hadnt eaten yet. We set off in search of food, and found an "american" themed pub that looked decent and cheap enough. Good choice. I havent had a hamburger since probably June. boy did that hit the spot. along with a some beer and fries we were quite content and sat relaxing for awhile before we ventured back out into the cold.

When we left it had gotten dark, and the city had some how managed to come back to life. The streets were lighted with holliday decorations, and we actually had to compete for space on the sidewalk at times. Walking along we joked about what we would do if there were no more trains (although we knew there would be as it wasnt even 8 yet...) Perfect timing, just as we were talking about how we'd be popcicles by morning, we walked by our savour, a barel with a fire burning in it. Perfetto. We quickly made a mental note of where it was incase we needed to return later. ;)

I'd have to say the higlight of the trip though (second to the hamburger of course), was just hanging out, wandering around and talking. I usually hang out with guys here (not that I'm complaining Fede, you're wonderful!) but it was nice to spend the day with another girl for once. I'm really happy that I've become friends with caterina. I've never had many female Italian friends... they always seem rather closed, and uninterested in talking to me. while I dont know Caterina very well yet, we're quickly becoming good friends (especially since we've been abandoned here in Milano for the break!)

It was also rather rewarding today to see that my Italian has improved in areas other than just design vocabulary. While she knows some English, she very rarely uses it. so about 99% of our conversation is in Italian. I'm not complaining as its great practice for me. and it felt good to be able to spend all day speaking in Italian and not need a dictionary or have to give up on any subjects because translation was too difficult... I dont think I've done that before today.

Anyways, we'll see what new years eve brings tomorrow. Unless we can find some guys willing to pay our way into a club (its atleast 40euros entrance!) we're just going to wander around the center where there are supposed to be concerts, fireworks, and ice skating - though i doubt we'll do it as we'd probably both fall flat on our faces within the first 10 seconds! :)