72-6-43

72 days, 6 hours and forty-three minutes after my arrival in Torino, it’s time to take stock of my situation in Italy.


The language

It’s a bit magic (at least in my opinion) but now I understand quite well Italian and can even express myself in Italian (and be understandable).
I remember, the first day I arrived in Torino, I attend a meeting of BEST Torino, and I didn’t understand anything. There were some Italian people speaking fast, moving, writing some things on the blackboard, but I didn’t understand anything.
When I had to look for a flat, it was a challenge to write something in Italian on a sheet, then call the number of the owner, and try to ask questions and take an appointment for visiting the flat.


The food

I think I can summarize in one word the main food I ate here since my arrival: pasta! However, you’ve to know that Italian food isn’t only pasta-pizza-cappuccino. It’s for sure one of the best (otherwise why would there be Italian restaurants all around the world?), healthiest and the most varied food in the world. But when you’re a student – that’s being lazy, needing some cheap and easy-to-do food – in Italy, the best way is still the pasta.
If I remember well, except during the trip in Firenze – where I ate paninis and kebab -, I ate pasta every day since my arrival in Torino. So, if I can give you an advice: don’t come in Italy for too much time if you’re allergic to pasta!


The newspaper

Yes, you read well: “the newspaper”! Almost every day I read a newspaper (in Italian of course) – it can be useful during some lectures… Of course, because I’m a student – that’s being too lazy to go to a tabbaccheria to buy any newspaper – I read only the most intellectual and international newspaper: Metro!
If you’re not used to read this newspaper, I can tell you that’s the only newspaper where you read that Bush can't send emails, doesn't know Google, that Madonna adopted a child from Malawi but his father didn't really agree, that Italian people prefer sex in the morning rather than in the evening, that Juventus is almost on the top of Seria B (second division), and that there’s a baby boom of pandas in Thailand thanks to the use of porno videos for bears.

Interesting, isn't it?

White night?

And because I want to finish this post with some pictures of Turin, I'll put some pictures that I took Saturday night.

Katy, Lina and Pierre

Nicolas, Lina and Pierre on a balance in the street (what the f*** is doing a balance there?)

Till the end of January, there'll be artistic lights (it's called Luci d'Artista) in several places of Torino.

Piazza something in Turin, not far from Porta Nuova

The same, plus one Italian guy who learnt me some words in Italian "body language"

Italian body language

As you maybe know, Italian people are used to speak with their hands. For instance, I learnt Saturday how to say "we're going" (andiamo), "nothing" (niente), "gay", "continue!", "what does it means?", etc. I hope have the occasion to show it once one this blog.