i like to think that ive come to know the metro system pretty well. i know which lines to take to get where, I know which part of the train to get on to exit closet to where i need to go at the next change. i have learned how long it takes to get from one place to another, what side of the train the doors will open on at what stop, and unless im going somewhere strange, i dont need to look at the map to see how to get there. when the train is moving, i know when i can stand without holding on, shifting my weight as needed, and when there will be a curve strong enough to warrent holding on to a bar. i dont think about the metro anymore, its part of my life everyday, and i simply do it as easily as breathing. and until today, i've never taken the wrong train.

at lambrate station where i go for school, (and where i used to live) there are two entrances/exits, one at either end of the station. i always exit through the same one when going to school - the other when i would go to my old house. when i'm coming home though, i enter depending on who im with. when im walking with others who take the metro, i enter at the first, go down the stairs, and to the platform on the right. when im with my friend who lives near the station, i enter at the other, go down the stairs and to the platform on the left.

today was a day when i was with my friend, and entered at the second. I went down the stairs, and got on the train that had just arrived. it seemed a little odd as there were a lot of people on baord for this time of day - normally people are heading home, out of the city, not into the center. I shrugged off the weird feeling though, thinking it was probably because I got on a car more towards the center rather than one of the end ones i normally take. as the train started going though, things felt a little weird. the motion of the ride was different - i cant say how, but it felt different. where i normally needed to hold on, i didnt. and where i normally didnt, i did. it's been a long few days, so again i just thought, eh, I'm tired. nothing more. then we got to the first stop, and the doors opened on the other side of the train from where they should have. now i knew something was up - this has only happened once before, when i was coming home and for some reason the train stopped on the opposite platform than normal (i still havent figured out why). I looked up and out through the window at the station, where there should have been a sign with the name "piola" there was isntead a sign with the name "udine." I was headed in the wrong direction. the doors closed, as i stood mistified, trying to figure out how i had managed to take the wrong train. as we headed to the next station i thought over what i had done, and realized that i had gone to the platform on the right, as though I had entered from the other entrance, when i should have gone to the left. everything that seemed weird to me before became clear. there were more people on the train, because they WERE headed home, i was the one headed the wrong direction.

it wasnt a hard mistake to fix, I got off at the next stop (which was above ground, the first time I'd seen a metro stop above ground here - at a location I'd never been) and walked across to the other side of the platform to wait. I felt a bit stupid getting off one train only to head back in the direction that I had just come from. but there was little more i could do. All in all it only added maybe 8 minutes to my trip, but it seemed like so much more. furthermore, it was a bash to my ego. I always pride myself on knowing where I am and what direction things are - i never get lost, i may not know the quickest way, but i always know what direction i need to go, and get there (except for one drunken incident a few years ago where i got lost 2 blocks from my house...) i guess it just goes to show that no matter how many times we've taken a journey, we can still loose our way.

well, it has now been snowing for almost 2 days straight. they say tomorrow we'll get rain... im not sure if that is a good thing or not though. while yesterday we only had a few inches of snow, it has now gotten to be over a foot that has fallen. this means that no one is driving. combine that with the fact that its friday and everyone is trying to leave the city for the weekend, and you get extremely packed metros. I've never seen anything like it. coming home from school today there was a line going down the stairs to get to the platform, as the platform was too full too hold anymore people. I somehow managed to squeeze my way down, only to watch 4 trains go by before i was able to get on one. 2 of these trains didnt even stop because they were so full. Normally people are fairly polite, let everyone get off first, and they they get on. today though it was a mad rush. as soon as the doors opened everyone was pushing to get on, even though there was NO room at all. People on the train were yelling to let them off, and it was general chaos. I finally made it home though, about an hour after i left school (normally takes me 25min). I'm just glad I dont have to leave the house again until friday.

this is from yesterday, the view out of one of the windows at school. Looks quite nice... today you couldnt see the trees through the snow.


Horrible picture of me, but i figured i'd post it anyways. After class yesterday with my friend Sasha. I forgot to take my glasses off after class, and it wasnt until looking at the photo that I realized i still had them on!


Also after class yesterday (Andrea and Fede) - pay attention to how much snow is on the cars. This was at about 4.30pm (it had started snowing sometime during the night before)


This is a car by my school today. You can see just how much more snow fell today.


Outside of my bedroom window about half an hour ago (5.30pm). And yes, its still snowing.

I've been a bit lazy about blogging. School has been really busy with midterms and finals. Unlike in america where all finals happen in the same week, and midterms around the same time, there they stretch out over almost two months. So while typography is done and over, and design history starting, I've still got a final in semiotics, a midterm in color, a project in advertising, and a project in visual. The two projects being due (for the most part) on monday. Yup, it's gonna be a long weekend. Not to mention the fact that it's been bloody cold here again, and we're expecting a couple inches of snow tomorrow.

On a lighter note though, I wanted to mention a few new blogs. Carole, who lives north up at the lakes, has started a blog after a bit of proding over on expats. Carole hosted the GTG up at lake como back in October. She also graciously came to my need in the fall when the misquitoes were eating me alive, and mailed me some plug-in repellents (as I was told at the store that there were no more misquitoes, and I would have to wait till the next year to by them). Unfortunately the same theif who stole my last box mailed to myself from the states, also stole her packet so I never got it. The troubles with the Italian post office... that's more of a book than a blog entry. Still, I really appreciated the thought!

Annika, one of the regulars and a monitor over on Expattalk also started a blog, documenting her efforts to move to Italy (hopefully for the GTG in June!), as well as some really cute pics of her son :D It's great to be able to peep into each others lives through the blogs, see what everyone is up to, and often times be able to relate to the same experiences they're going through living in another country, or in their efforts to get here.

One final blog, of a different type, is blogfolio started by group B at my school, and relates to the project that we're working on for Portfolio in Piazza. As part of our project we're having our own 'booth' at the exhibition, where fotos from our journeys here will be displayed. The blog is a way for the photos to be viewed by others. we can all submit fotos, and then they will post them on the blog and others can make comments about them. It's an interesting look into how a bunch of designers view the world. There aren't a lot of photos as of yet, but hopefully soon there will be more (I still need to send some in!). Sorry though, it's all written in Italian. But you can still view the photos!

Well, after a month of buying tickets daily for the metro, I finally went today and got a metro pass. Much cheaper. I'd been waiting, as I needed first to get my codice fiscale. And to get this I had to find a day when I could afford to wait in long lines - or so I thought. The secretary at the school insisted that I had to go to the main office in the center, and that I had best get there early in the morning as it could take a few hours. Well, considering I had class everymorning, this wasnt the best option. Then, one of my friends told me that he got his in an office by the school, and it only took about 15 min! Apparently there are various offices throughout Milano that you can go to. The one in the center gets the most traffic as it seems to be the best known by foreigners. Most of the people who go to the other offices are Italians doing other paperwork. So last week I got my letter of attendance from the school, and off I went during an afternoon break. Normally it would have taken about 30 min to walk there, but I was lucky enough to get a ride from Egidio, who then came in with me and did most of the talking, so it was a smooth process. The whole thing (including getting there and back) took about half an hour. Not too shabby.

School has been really busy and hasnt given me any more breaks until today. So after class off I headed to the ATM office at Loreto. I decided to avoid the one at the Duomo, as no doubtably there would be more people there. It only took about 10 min, and two forms (as on the first I accidently used lowercase letters - a no no). My monthly pass isnt good till Feburary, as the guy insisted it was too late in January to make it worth buying the months pass (even though I know it would have saved a few euros). Instead though he suggest that for next week I just get a weekly pass! I had no idea there were weekely passes. For 9 euros I get to use the metro for a week. I wish I had known that before, as I've been paying between 10-15 each week. grrrrr. So for the next couple of days I'm still on daily tickets, but then next week I get to use my beautiful scratch off what week it is and stamp it once ticket. And come February I'll be able to travel all I want for the low price of 17euros a month.

I didn't actually get my identity card today - gotta go back in a couple months to pick that up he said. In the mean time I have my receipt. The nice thing about not having the card though, is that I dont have to scan anything, just walk straight in, and show my receipt if they ask for it. Once I get the card, you have to scan it everytime you enter and leave the metro/bus/tram. Not that big of a hassel, but still. :D

Funny thing happened today in the metro. I was coming up the escalator, and there was an asian woman standing at the top. she was looking down the escalator, and I thought maybe she was waiting for someone. Then, after I got off she started trying to walk down it! She quickly realized that wouldnt work as she almost fell backwards. I couldnt help but laughing a bit - after all, she was okay, if not a little shooken up. Why she didnt take the stairs down in the first place (they're RIGHT next to the escalator) I dont know. I just couldnt believe that she was standing there studying it, could see that it was moving up, ad then tried to walk down! Even if by some chance she has never seen an escalator before, she should have been able to figure out that it moved up after how long she was watching it. Oh well. I guess some things are just over peoples heads.

I'd resigned myself to working with a non-so-favorite business card design. better than the one i previously spoke about, but still not one that I felt worked great. I had actually only made it as an example why it *didnt* work, so that I wouldnt be asked to do it later. I had thought that they had picked this design. Then this morning I was pleasently surprised with an email, asking if it was the one I recommended or not. I seized the invitation to voice my opinion (which we all know I love doing) and calmlly wrote back an email saying that while the card worked to some extent, I thought that one of the other two would function better, and give better results. I stated my reasons why, and waited.

Of the two I suggested, I was sure one of them would not be picked. It just seemed like it pushed things too far. The other though, I had hopes for. And although my favorite was the first, I would be satisfied as well working with the second. to my surprise I soon received an email back saying that they would go with the first! I'm now beaming with joy and getting ready to work my little heart out as my faith has been renewed.

Good things do come to those who wait. :D

this morning I received a phone call that my morning lesson was canceled. I had already gotten up, so now I'm awake early, and dont have to be at my next class till 4. What on earth am I to do with myself. well, homework of course. but it's too early for homework, so I decided to poke around on the internet. I remembered that I had been a bad friend, and not read AJ's past couple of blog entries all the way through. So I flipped over to her blog and started reading.

AJ is currently serving as a peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. She left the states for Africa around the same time I was settling into my first apartment in September. AJ, a dedicated and serious volunteer had already started doing research and planning before she left the states. She spent the first bit of time in Dakar, going through training, and has since moved out to a smalll viillage. In a receint entry, among other things she wrote "The truth remains, however, I am here, living in a mud hut, bathing from a bucket, cycling 7 km over sand to get to town, living on a meager volunteer’s allowance - all things that my American friends would consider hardships - but I am still living far above anyone in my village. "

How true it is. I like to think I'm fairly adaptable... but then I get cranky without my coffee (last night I dreamed, yet again of starbucks), or if I have to go too long without a shower. I think 'sure, I could live in a mud hut' - but I'd be squelling every five minutes at the insects I'd be living with. Truth is, it's a hard life living there. And that's her point. I consider it a hard life, yet its still a lot better quality than a lot of people in her village. It's amazing how much we take for granted in this life of ours.

I dont give myself enough credit to be able to write something profound on the subject. So instead I suggest that you go and read AJ's blog. And while you're at it check out her friend Clare's blog who is also serving as a volunteer but has been there a lot longer. I garuntee its worth your time to read. Furthermore, if you haven't checked out the Albanian Alps Institute link I've got on the side, take a look there as well. It might be of special interest to any of you living in Italy who may get annoyed by 'those pesty albanians.'

There are days when you feel excited about things, and days when you dont. I've started doing some free lance work for the company my brother works for. They've bought out another company and were in need of the whole shabang. I got the logo done, through some struggles, and compensations (I put in a line to avoid having a graditent), and last night I was working on a business card. They had sent me a file of their current design, and I cringed as I looked at it. They asked me to see what I could do with it. So last night I worked till the wee hours of the morning, till I couldnt go more than a minute without yawning, and I put in my best efforts to give them a card. Honestly, I haven't worked that hard since I was working on the logo design for Portfolio in Piazza (the one the teacher loved, but the client shot down). It felt good to be designing, and I was quite pleased with what I came up with. I felt that I had forsure talked them out of the hideous design, and into something better. I followed the standard rule of giving them three designs, one that pushed it, one that was in the middle, and one safety - or rather what they were expecting to get, and in this case that meant re-do of their card. I was pretty sure that they would pick the one in the middle. The one that pushed it the furthest was my favorite, but i felt it would be too much for a group of programmers.

So last night I sent the file off to my brother to forward on. He wrote me saying that the thought I was going the right direction, and that he was impressed. And so my sleepy eyes doozed off content. I awake this morning and checked my email. One from my brother, with the subject "this is what tom wants" - I felt uneasy. I waited to last to open the email, unfortunately it was a slow day and there weren't a lot of others. So eventually I had to open it. Sure enough, I saw a sight I couldnt believe. Pasted in the email was the copy of their current card. They decided they wanted that design, and just changed to add "arlignton TX address on back" at the bottem of the card, and then they'll print the arlignton address on the back of the card.

Well, you can guess how I completely sunk when I read this email. this job has gone from having the prospect of being a great addition to my portfolio, to now being completely eliminated. When I had to add the line to the logo, I thought "okay, I can still put it in my portfolio as long as everything else is strong. the line isnt that bad" - but now... bad logo, bad card design. This project would keep me FROM getting a job if it was in my portfolio, rather than help me to get one.

The thing that urks me the most is that from the start I said that I was a designer. I wasn't there to just put their designs into a program that worked. The pay may be good, but it's not good enough for that. If that is what my job is to be, I'd rather spend my time working on my own projects and improving my portfolio. I was ensured though that they wouldnt be coming to me unless they were serious about having it designed.

So now I'm at the point where I really just want to say to hell with it, I'm not your little monkey who is going to transfer your crappy designs into illustrator for you. But in reality, I need the money. And I made a commitment to do the project. So I'll stick it out, even if it means dreading working on the prjects. I'll do those which I've already agreed to do, and if it keeps up this way then I'll decline any further projects.

I am a graphic designer, not a desktop publisher. and I refuse to become one.

I have fond memories of the movie Little Women from when I was younger. I only saw it once, and it was so long ago I barely remember it. At christmas time I was searching for movies in English to watch and decided I'd try to find it. my attempts however, we unsuccessful. So after a few days of trying, I decided to look for a text version instead. It was suprisingly easy to find. So for the past week or so I've taken to reading a couple chapters at night before I go to bed. I'd never read the book before, but tend to like the books more than the movies. It holds true also in this case. Perhaps I was too young before when I saw the movie, or perhaps it's just more evident in the book, but I've found there to be so many good lessons hidden within it's pages. If you haven't read it before, I'd suggest it.

Although it was written and set in a time over a century ago, I still find myself relating a lot to the characters, and learning from them. Not neccasarily how to be a "proper" lady, but more of how to have patience, wait, and work hard for what you want. In time, it will come to you. I think a combination of the book, as well as the time of year, has gotten me thinking more about my life and where it is heading. As I wrote before, my time here is almost half up. And soon I'll be finding myself in need of making decisions. While all decisions we make have effects on our lives, some are bigger than others.

Two and a half years ago when I returned home from my 8 months living in europe, I had a dream to return. And while I did return twice for visits, I wanted more. And so I set my sight on getting back to Italy one way or another. the easiest way I found, was to go to grad school. A year ago this time I was still preparing my application. grad school seemed so far away, and it's amazing to me to think of all that has happened in the last year and how my life has changed. When I got my email of acceptance I was estatic. I couldnt believe I was actually moving back to Italy. The 11 months I was to spend over here seemed like a lifetime in comparision to the 4 months I lived in Macerata. Already I've been here 5 months, and it seems to have flown by faster than the 4 before.

Coming here was a big decision, one that I knew would have great impact on my life, whether it be good or bad. I was restless and ready to get out of Oregon again. I wanted to improve my Italian, and I hoped to find a job here after school was done. While most of my friends seemed a bit amazed at my decision, and told me how they couldnt imagine moving to another country themselves, they were all supportive of the move. It was hard to say goodbye to them, not knowing when I would return, or where they would be when I did. yet one thing I have learned over the years is that the people who are really important in your life, will always be there, and you'll always find a way to see them again. And so I have no doubt that one day I will find myself once again lounging on a couch, playing mario kart, and enjoying times just like before. the only thing that remains uncertain, is when that day will come.

The past month in particular has been hard for me. Part of me regrets not going home for christmas, yet the other part of me is glad that I stayed here and stuck it out. I've been flip-flopping back and forth on what to do when school is done. where i will go next. whether i can afford to stay in italy. whether i want to stay in italy. When I left home I knew it would be a challanging year, and that at the end of it I'd either be so sick of Italy I'd never want to return, or I would have an even deeper love for the country.

Lately I've been thinking that I want to go home when school is done. To be back where everything is familar, I can speak the language without problems, and I can go and sit in a coffee shop for hours reading or working on my laptop. The part of me that wants to return is the part that is tired of the difficulties of living somewhere new. the daily struggles. some days are better than others. Yesterday I got an email from a friend who I havent seen since beginning of Oct. We've talked a couple times on the phone, or through the occasional text message. but nothing to great extent. I had sent him an email a few days ago, nothing too long or interesting. When I got his response the first thing he wrote was "ma hai imparato l'italiano molto bene!" (but you've learned great italian!) It was a small little compliment, but it was one that really struck me. While some days it feels as though I still cant say a thing, I know that I have come a long ways with my Italian over the past few months. It's a struggle, but it's one I decided to take on, and I'm slowly getting better.

So where am I going with all of this. I'm not quite sure. But that's the joy of life. the little surprises we find along the way, the unexpected happenings. When I came here my goal was to stay after school, find a job, and work for a year or two. While there are daily struggles, I know there would be struggles in america as well. I like to think of myself as being strong willed and independant, and I think most will agree with me on these points. So while there are days when I think that I'm not cut out to live in Italy, that I want to return to America where things are "easier," I'm not ready yet to forget about and give up on my goal.

And so with that, for those of you who actually read this blog, I'd like to say that I've made my decision. While there is still no garuntee that I can find a job here, while I know life will continue to be a struggle, I'm not ready to give up. And so the next few months I'm ready to dedicate myself to working harder at both my design and language skills, to impress my professors, and form connections. If I can find myself a job here, I will stay for atleast another year.

I decided to escape Milano for a few days. Fede has been wanting me to come visit him for awhile now, so I thought I would finally take him up on his offer. So Monday morning I took off to Bologna where I met up with him and his girlfriend, Abbi (I dont remember her real name, as Fede always calls her Abbi). We grabbed some lunch, and wandered around Bologna. Fede was mad as he didnt realize I'd been there before, and everytime he tried to show me something I already knew about it. The one thing he did show me which I didnt know before, was if you stand at the right spot, the statue in the piazza looks as though it has a really big penis because of how the hand lines up. He was quite proud of being able to show me this. :) To escape the cold we stopped in a bar and got some hot chocolate. We were speaking a combo of English/Italian, but I guess we had gone through an english spell, as someone came over and started talking to us in English trying to sell us things (cds etc). We looked up at him and started responding to him in Italian. He was quite surprised as he had thought we were tourists. Nonetheless he tried to sell us things anyways.

That evening we headed to Castel San Pietro Terme, where Fede lives, just outside of Bologna. It was really nice to get into the country side a bit. Felt a lot like home being in a valley with hills all around. We went to Dozza, another nearby town for dinner. There we ate at one of the two open restraunts (I was later blamed for everything being closed, as the next morning the bar we tried to go to was also closed). I surprised Fede again by knowing what Ragu was. For some reason he thought Americans didnt have it.

The next morning I took off and headed to Faenza, 20 min away, where I met Jackie, Cyndi, and Danilo (Cyndi's husband) for the day. Before checking out Faenza, we drove to another nearby town, Brisighella. It was a cute little town, with a castle and clock tower on the hills above. (Cyndi has an excellent description of the town on her blog, with more historical information.)

the main road in Brisighella

Jackie, Cyndi, and Danilo as we climbed to the top

the view of the town below from the tower

me having a bit of fun climbing on stuff

We climbed up to the clock tower where we were awarded with excellent views, despite the gate being locked so we couldnt go in. Afterwards we headed back to town and ate at the only open restraunt for lunch. The owner and her family were really nice, showing us photo albums of the town, and talking to us about America. Her brother was seated at the table next to us and was excited to speak about America. It was cute as he would be silent for awhile until he thought of something to say, and then he'd lean over and talk for awhile. Towards the end of the meal Danilo made us all crack up, as he asked to take a picture of the "Chickens" - he meant Chicks, but got a bit confussed.

After lunch we headed back to Faenza where we wandered through town, ate Gelato, and checked out different ceramics stores. It was a nice town, much more lively than sleepy Brisighella. This is a great time to travel through the smaller towns as they are all decorated with lights and everyone is in a festive mood.
the main piazza in Faenza

a beautiful sunset in Faenza

Jackie wanted to take a photo of the lights, but couldnt hold her camera still enough. So she decided to put it on a car and use the timer. After a min or so of messing with it, trying to get it lined up right, she was surprised by the window rolling down, and the guy in the car asking what she was doing! She came running over to us and told us what happened and we all laughed and giggled like a bunch of little school girls. Sometimes its great fun to play tourists.

After awhile Jackie and I said goodbye to Cyndi and Danilo who were headed home after a long day together of laughs. It was great to spend some time with other Americans and be able to have some girltalk. Poor Danilo was a bit out numbered, but was a good sport through the whole day. Jackie and I checked out a couple more shops before heading to the trainstation. We still had a couple hours to kill, so we stopped at a bar nearby that Fede had recommended to me, and had an aperativo. It was extremely inexpensive, and a very nice atmosphere. Definitely the hang out for people our age. Eventually it became time to catch our trains, and Jackie and I said goodbye, trying to figure out when the next time we'll be able to meet up with be. It was great to see Jackie again after 2 months, and be able to catch up a bit.

I took the train back to Castel S. Pietro, where Fede picked me up. We went and grabbed some pizzas from the best pizzaria in all of Italy (as Fede claims) and headed back to his house to eat. After dinner we went to his friend Cicho's house (another nick name - his name is also Federico) up in the hills. There we hung out, listened to music and talked. I had met Cicho one time before, as he also goes to school in Milano, and it was fun to see him again. We played with his cat, and I shocked the Italians by telling them about catnip. They had never heard of it before, and couldnt believe me that we actually gave our cats a type of drug. As I wasnt sure exactly what catnip was, thus making it impossible to explain correctly in Italian, we looked it up online. After they were convinced that it was harmless to cats, Fede agreed to give some to his cat if I could get some mailed to me. It was really relaxing just chillin, and was nice to be in real homes (as in living room, dining room, kitchen, bedrooms, just like in America!) rather than small student apartments. I'd been missing that feeling and it was so nice to do it again.
Cicho
Fede
Abbi
(Fotos at Cicho's house taken by the marvelous Fede with his wonderful photographic skills.)

Soon enough though I needed to return to Milano and get back to work. So wednesday morning I headed home. I was a bit scared by all the snow on the way - EVERYTHING was covered in white. But when I got into Milano I was greeted by sunny skies, and some of the warmest weather we've had in awhile (42 degrees!!!). It was a great couple of days and just what I needed to help cure my big-grey-city blues.

Caterina showed up at my house around 8pm last night... and so did the snow! Luckily by the time we left the house around 11, the snow had pretty much stopped. We had a few drinks at home before we left, and then headed off to the center. We were unsure of what we would do, but new there would be something happening at the duomo.


The galleria and duomo


one of the concerts set up by the city


the galleria


caterina and me

At the duomo we found TONS of people. mostly other foreigners, or other poor people like ourselves who didnt want to pay for the discos. A little before midnight we decided to head to the castello where the fireworks would be going off. It reached midnight at some point while we were walking along, but we dont know exactly when as there was no big count down or louder celebration. The fireworks from the castle were rather lame... maybe they were better from the other side, not sure. But either way we had fun.


the walk from the duomo to the castle


the castle in the distance


me and caterina again

A little after midnight we decided to head back to the duomo, and in search of a cheap bar I'd heard about. When we arrived back at the piazza it was completely different than an hour before... so many of the people had left. Anyways, we wandered for awhile in search of the bar, finally found it, and realized that we were the only people who found it. It was sooo empty! We used the bathroom and quickly left. We wandered around some more, and eventually stopped and talked to a group of guys for awhile, although they really werent that interesting. After that we headed back towards the duomo in search of a taxi to go home. Never has it been so difficult to find a taxi. Everyone wanted one, and none were driving by.

After while we gave up and decided to get something to eat. And where of course is open at 3 am on new years? McDonalds!
Now you know I must have been drunk if I ate at McDonalds. Other than my brief stop one night with Kari last year for some fries, I havent eaten at McDonalds in probably 8 years or so... If not longer. Anyways, as horrible as mcdonalds is, it tasted sooooo good. We downed those burgers and fries.

After McDonalds we decided to search again for a taxi, this time while walking. Figured if we walked, we'd be warmer, and we'd be closer to home so it'd cost less. Also, as the mass of people waiting for a taxi by the duomo seemed to have only grown, we figured it may be faster to walk the whole way home. So off we went. we didnt have a map, and I'd never walked from my new apartment to the center. I had a vague idea of what direction it was. So we went that way. We may have zig zagged a bit, but we eventually did find Corso Como, which I thought I knew how to get home from. However, my memory from the map was that there should be a street in front of us that we would walk straight along, and get to my house. However, in reality, there wasnt. So after about 20 min of standing on the corner we eventually got a taxi. We also go new years prices, as the ride which was only a few min cost the same amount as the taxi the weekend before from the other end of town. oh well.

When we got home we collapsed into bed. I dont know exactly what time it was... 4.30 maybe? I feel sorry for Caterina though, poor girl has to work all day today!