Dust bunnies and other such things

My old apartment outside the walls

Hello all.  Hello from the other side of the world, Yes, as much as I loved Austria, I did… eventually… catch a train back to Italy.

The last few weeks here have been completely crazy, and stressful to say the least.  My living situation, which had been full of ups and downs already had reached a complete low when I found that my personal space had once again been the victim of thievery and other such lack of boundaries.  For respect to all parties involved, I will refrain from providing other such details other than those, but I think the point was made the situation had made me generally unhappy.  So, at ten pm that night, the 9^th of November, I literally packed up all my belongings and left them waiting at the door to leave first thing in the morning.  And, luckily, the morning arrived only a few hours later, and gone like the wind I was.  Far away… well far enough away that I no longer had to lose any sleep or use up any more Kleenex boxes.  A friend took me in and fed me, and for a moment I almost could sympathize with all those little lost puppies that wander the streets and are taken in by a kind heart.  It may sound odd, but I don’t know how else to explain the feeling when you are sitting on a curbside with your suitcase and bags and your chin resting in your hands, watching the people of Viterbo meander by with questions filing their heads.  I was probably the victim of several assumptions, but this really is beside the point. 

View from my friend's apartment inside the walls

But, luckily, the feeling of a little lost puppy dog didn’t last long.  Though still feeling a little lost and far away from home, tossed around, and perhaps somewhat forgotten, I at least have a place to sleep.  After lugging my suitcases across town once again to my new permanent home yesterday, I oddly feel no less settled in than I did a few days ago.  I feel like my stuff doesn’t belong here… and consequently, I don’t really feel like I belong here either.  But, I will try and refrain from being too terribly negative… I am leaving to Paris, France with my friend tomorrow.  I think I almost in denial still that I am leaving, and I don’t think I’m quite ready either.  It probably won’t hit me until my feet actually land on French soil, so I guess I just need a day for an adjustment in perspective.

I also really want to share my experience at the olive tree farm on the 9^th.  We went with my cuisine class and we got to learn how they harvest and prepare olives for olive oil.  We literally got to see the entire process: from their harvest, to their canning.  I even got to take home some olive oil for myself!  It’s crazy, because the olive oil tastes nothing like it does at home, it’s like it’s a completely different thing.  Apparently, my professor tried even the best olive oils in America but none of them fit the bill… at all.  Though I see where he is coming from, it’s still a bit difficult for me to say that I prefer the olive oil here over the one at home.  I’m just not used to it, from the green color to its extreme acidic qualities. 

My new apartment

Anyways, I hope I can get up a post about my olive harvesting experience before I leave on my trip tomorrow to Paris. And to explain the dust bunnies… they are perhaps the only things that have welcomed my arrival in this new apartment.  By their lovely perfume and distinct aromatic qualities, I can definitely tell they are not disappointed.  Just don’t mention to them the washing machine that awaits them down the hall…