Via Alberto Mario

The air is dry as everyone piles into the airplane. The pilot comes over the intercom and I am surprised, but shouldn't have been, that he had a British accent. I am not sure why but the first thing that came to mind was the beatles, ironically later on he told us his name was John Brenin. Classical music welcomes the passengers onto the plane along with the flight attendants. I was glad to finally sit down after 2 hours of standing in lines at the airport, check-in took longer than security did. The pilot then introduced some of the crew over the intercom and I am pretty sure one of the workers on the plane was named Smurf hernandez. I immediately thought of my murp and missed her.

The view of chicago as I took off that night was incomparable. The city lights looked like gold sprinkled over a vast black expanse mixed with navy blues and deep purples. And thenjust like that 6 hours of my life were gone due to the time zone change. After a night of babies screaming and no sleep, I was never more thankful to have a hot cup of black coffee.

Finally arriving in linate I met some other students that were headed to IES and we split a taxi to the school. The first thing I noticed when getting off the plane was the polution in the air you could almost taste it. After the tour I was given a packet containing a ring full of keys, 10 keys to be exact. I thought to myself, what am I supppose to open with all of these? I feel like a janitor. One key in particular seemed ridiculously huge and unfamiliar, the key to my apt that is 5 inches long. After I get out of my taxi I walk up to my apt lobby which I tried every key to get into. Once I got in I dragged my luggage up a couple steps and found an elevator or what looked to be a small red box with no windows that didn't look like it would even fit my luggage and me in it (I only had one bag) at most it is 2 ft by 4ft. and about 6.5 ft high. I was skeptical about going in such a shady confined space but then when I lookes to my right to see that my alternative was 7 flights of stairs I was happy for what I could get.

Upon entering my apt. I was greated by Kim who showed me to my room where my roommate was already fast asleep on her bed. I unpacked and wandered about until Kim gave me a quick rundown of the apt and its workings.

That night we all met at the autogrill a restaurant that overlooks the Duomo. The grand scale of the enormous and awe inspiring Cathedral made it seem fake. Its a weird parallel. The Duomo's stained glass and beautiful brick are illuminated at night not only by its own lights but by the huge tv screen that spans the length of the building next to it. The way the classic beauty of the old converses with the modern flashy lights of the 21st century is seen all over the city.

Finally arriving back at home I am glad to see a place where I can close my eyes and fall into deep sleep after the tiring trip. The picture above is the view from my balcony which has three sets of french doors that go out to it from the two bedrooms as well as the living room. My room has stone floors which is very common in italy, everything seems to be made of stone, marble, or wood.