Florence: One artist's move to Italy
Aug 22nd, 2008, 05:42 AM
#82
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"Last night even saw him sleeping belly up 4 paws in the air. I couldn't have been happier."
I must be living vicariously through you because when I read this my first thought was "oh good, Bear's feeling more comfortable!"
My cat Buddy is nicknamed Ninja Cat. He loves to take a running start and jump over my Golden with his front paws spread out.
Johanna
I must be living vicariously through you because when I read this my first thought was "oh good, Bear's feeling more comfortable!"
My cat Buddy is nicknamed Ninja Cat. He loves to take a running start and jump over my Golden with his front paws spread out.
Johanna
Aug 22nd, 2008, 06:04 AM
#83
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Thanks Sam, Gracie, we do love our pets huh?
I'm going to jump around a bit here.
First about SKYPE. I really do think it's the best, I'm kind of a techno idiot so anything gadgety or computerwise usually scares the crap out me BUT Skype is sooooo easy. I signed up for the world unlimited plan. I did it before I left the states. I think it was 9.95 E p month for unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles within your calling area. Skype to Skype is always free and calls to other #'s outside your area have pretty low rates. Because almost all my calls were going to be to friends and family back home I also got a Skype phone number. My number is based in NY so whenever anyone from the states calls me here either from their cell or landline and whever I call them it's the same as if we call back and forth from NY even though I'm in Italy. The skype number was 30 US per year. Considering everyone I know has unlimited calling plans all our calls are free. Here's the glitch, my skype window has to be open and me online to receive calls. Included is also voicemail and video calling. My sister and her husband videocall every night to watch me make dinner, I feel like Max Headroom. Oh, so back to having to be online. I get 10 hr. p day of airtime with Vodaphone. Seems like alot of hours but they go fast. Thing is every time you log on it is counted as 15 min. For some reason between 8-10 pm Florence time i get knocked off alot. You can use three hours a day just logging on. Anyway, my mom just loves skype, she used to call like 8 times a day now it's only maybe 6
I've had a real interesting day so far but it is a scorcher today and was up early so I'll post about it later, need a siesta. Plus want to download some photos first.
I'm going to jump around a bit here.
First about SKYPE. I really do think it's the best, I'm kind of a techno idiot so anything gadgety or computerwise usually scares the crap out me BUT Skype is sooooo easy. I signed up for the world unlimited plan. I did it before I left the states. I think it was 9.95 E p month for unlimited calls to landlines and mobiles within your calling area. Skype to Skype is always free and calls to other #'s outside your area have pretty low rates. Because almost all my calls were going to be to friends and family back home I also got a Skype phone number. My number is based in NY so whenever anyone from the states calls me here either from their cell or landline and whever I call them it's the same as if we call back and forth from NY even though I'm in Italy. The skype number was 30 US per year. Considering everyone I know has unlimited calling plans all our calls are free. Here's the glitch, my skype window has to be open and me online to receive calls. Included is also voicemail and video calling. My sister and her husband videocall every night to watch me make dinner, I feel like Max Headroom. Oh, so back to having to be online. I get 10 hr. p day of airtime with Vodaphone. Seems like alot of hours but they go fast. Thing is every time you log on it is counted as 15 min. For some reason between 8-10 pm Florence time i get knocked off alot. You can use three hours a day just logging on. Anyway, my mom just loves skype, she used to call like 8 times a day now it's only maybe 6
I've had a real interesting day so far but it is a scorcher today and was up early so I'll post about it later, need a siesta. Plus want to download some photos first.
Aug 22nd, 2008, 06:50 AM
#84
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Re: the tipping thing....Maybe one of the other posters that live in Italy could help you with this one.
I tend to overtip then I'm stuck tipping that amount for the entire relationship. Plus, Im sure that the % would be less than in the States?
Skype.."open and on-line"....reminds me of the old days...sitting by the phone waiting for THE call.
We have a cat that was feral....she adopted us....now she is the ruler. We named her JAC....Just A Cat.
What a terrific report....do you have a blog? If not Please. please, please start one!!
I tend to overtip then I'm stuck tipping that amount for the entire relationship. Plus, Im sure that the % would be less than in the States?
Skype.."open and on-line"....reminds me of the old days...sitting by the phone waiting for THE call.
We have a cat that was feral....she adopted us....now she is the ruler. We named her JAC....Just A Cat.
What a terrific report....do you have a blog? If not Please. please, please start one!!
Aug 22nd, 2008, 11:57 AM
#85
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Hello laartista, regarding tipping. My various women friends that live in the Region of Veneto do not tip for a manicure or pedicure because the various owners of the establishments takes care of their manicures and/or pedicures and hair. I don't know if that is the custom throughout Italy to not tip the owner if you receive the service(s) from the owner however.
I am loving your thread! Have a lovely weekend in beautiful Florence.
I am loving your thread! Have a lovely weekend in beautiful Florence.
Aug 22nd, 2008, 01:44 PM
#86
"we do love our pets" heck, i've fallen in love with YOUR cat thru these reports. what a guy, plane ride to europe, smuggled in and out of apartments... he's the MAN!
as far as tipping, can you simply ask someone at the salon? throw yourself on their mercy? something simple like "am i supposed to tip?" in Italian. or maybe just slip a 5 euro note directly to your technician? not too much, not too little, so you'd be OK regardless of local tradition. especially if it's a place you'll be frequenting?
as far as tipping, can you simply ask someone at the salon? throw yourself on their mercy? something simple like "am i supposed to tip?" in Italian. or maybe just slip a 5 euro note directly to your technician? not too much, not too little, so you'd be OK regardless of local tradition. especially if it's a place you'll be frequenting?
Aug 23rd, 2008, 11:13 AM
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I was in NYC for a few days and just found your post. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about the adventures of Bear and you. He is a very handsome guy so what's a little bite now and then I have a nibbler too.
Please keep it coming!
Please keep it coming!
Aug 23rd, 2008, 10:59 PM
#93
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Going to bed and imagine you are now awake in beautiful Florence laartista. Have a wonderful Sunday. And enjoy your Boots, what a sweet character he is. He is the MAN indeed, lol. Thanks for sharing your adventures, I always so enjoy reading your threads.
Aug 24th, 2008, 01:03 AM
#94
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I was A fodor's slacker yesterday.Actually downloaded Mai Tais report to read offline. he's always very funny.
LC, Bfrac, sandyy-thanks for the nice comments
Suze- Yep, Bear IS the man! And he knows it. What I decided to do with the tipping is fall somewhere in between my usual US 20% and the way the Europeons tip ( no offense meant by that)
Baily- JAC that is too funny! Blog template is set up but have to transfer stuff so I'll post the link once that's done.
McLaurie- Really no pressure on my end w/ making dinner. It's not like I'm running some C grade version of the Rachel Ray show out of my tiny apartment. More like throwing frozen gnocchi for the supermercato into boiling water and slapping some butter on it. AND, that's when I'm not feeling lazy, which would then be putting a sandwhich I picked up earlier in the day in the mIcrowave.AS far as the Zanzara( my new Italian word) go the Vape plug in seems to helping a bit, BUT still getting bit.
Love- You are always so sweet, thanks for reading
So Friday was a wacky day. I was awakened extra early by the market guys setting up below my window, like at 8. Then at 9:45 my cell rings. I had bought a Vodaphone Sim card, which I seem to constantly recharge. The conversation goes like this:
Me: Hello
Lady: Andrea?
Me: Si, Sono Andrea
Lady: two minutes straight of rapido Italian, that I caught maybe every 5th word of.
I have found that if you speak even the slightest amount of Italian to them they start rattling. I usually get what they are saying in person because I'm good at reading people and gestures and all but on the telefono, whole other ball game. It's like they are Nic Robertson reporting from Afghanastan on a 5 second delay. She goes to get her friend who speaks some English. NOw my comprehension delay is kicking in. OH, It's the landlady from the apartment on Via Dei Pepi where I left my notebook on the kitchen counter. Now the translator gets on the phone to tell me what I just figured out. Can I come, and when?
Well. I had an 11:00 second date, I mean appointment with Lapo my new shiatsu masseuse, the spa was close by so I figure I'd swing by on the way there. So I say 1/2 hour? 10:15? Perfecto. Grab my stuff and out the door.
About a 10 minute walk later I'm sitting at the curb outside Via Dei Pepi 70. And I sit ,and I sit, and NOW it's 10:40. I call back the lady. She is there! Where? I'm here! She was waiting in the apartment. The week before when she was on vacation her brother Gianni came to show the apartment and he met us outside , so I thought that's where I wait. I guess that's just for first time look-sees. So Upsatirs I go. She was a petite slightly older than I well dressed woman with another woman , her translator who was an older lady, in a moo moo with 3 teeth. I tried not to look and count but I couldn't help it. Her English was very good, although with a lisp.
I take my notebook and they ask what was wrong with the apartment. I didn't want to tell her the reason was the bathroom only had a drain in the floor for a shower , so like every other apartment I blame it on my friend who is in NY (Robin). My friend didn't like it. Plus this had a bedroom and a loft and we wanted 2 bedrooms. So the lady says( and this is all in Italian w/ the friend translating( that she has a friend, Marco,who owns the Farmacia down the block and he may have a 2 bedroom. I tell her I have an appointment at 11:00 on Via Sant Egidio. Not a problem, it's on the way and literally takes my hand to go with her. OK
We walk to the farmacia, she is still talking Italian to me , knowing full well by now I'm not understanding alot. I think she was telling me about her vacation. We get to the Farmacia and she introduces me to Marco(speaks English)and he says he has no 2 bedrooms BUT, he has a friend who does. This is a very popular way of finding an apartment in Italy. Sort of an Apartment Scavenger Hunt.
Alright, I say my ciaos, gotta run, Lapo is awaiting. So I briefly touched upon the whole shiatsu thing at the spa but really it's fantastico! Plus in two sessions has really helped my shoulder blade ( where my nerve pain from neck is sitting). When I first get ther it was right at 11, maybe 5 after. I had wanted to take a turkish steam before to loosen my muscles up a bit. Shiatsu is a bit like a Thai massage. Sort of an accupressure with strtching, not the lie on your stomach, 00h ahh feels so good massage. Hurts sometimes, but that's good.
The woman who owns the spa looks like a prettier version of Julia Louis Dryfuss ( who's pretty to begin with), dresses great, is from Turkey, married an Italian. She is also a medical doctor so she's been great in giving me advice for my problem. I walk in carrying a red nylon shopper that had my purse and loose fitting clothes for the massage. She had given me stuff to wear on my first visit but, I'm 5'2" and the pants were made for someone 5"8" and I looked like one of the peanuts dragging the pants bottoms across the floor. I hadn't packed any work out clothes except one pair yoga pants, had to do laundry so I just brought a pair of pink checkered pj pants with and a tank.Anyhoo she sees me walk in with the bag on my bad arm and immediatly takes it from me and says ' andrea, how are we supposed to help you if you don't help yourself!" You cannot carry heavy bags, especially not on that arm" I know I know, I'm sorry and she takes the bag and leads me to the locker room.? Nope, did not. OK and gives me a thin cotton turkish towel wrap thing to use. She says try to stay in for 10 minutes at least 5.
THe steam is hotter than any sauna I have ever been in, it's a wet heat, the marble room literally dripping as I am in sweat. I mean soaking wet. I can feel my face dripping off There is a cool water hand shower for when you get too hot. I think I lasted about 7 minutes I'll time myself next time. The great thing about is , you actually CAN feel your muscles loosening up and toxins leaving your body. I wish my apartment had one, I'd do it every day.
Done with the steam and I go to shower off and change for my massage which started up with a very interesting Q & A session. Gotta check emails brb.
LC, Bfrac, sandyy-thanks for the nice comments
Suze- Yep, Bear IS the man! And he knows it. What I decided to do with the tipping is fall somewhere in between my usual US 20% and the way the Europeons tip ( no offense meant by that)
Baily- JAC that is too funny! Blog template is set up but have to transfer stuff so I'll post the link once that's done.
McLaurie- Really no pressure on my end w/ making dinner. It's not like I'm running some C grade version of the Rachel Ray show out of my tiny apartment. More like throwing frozen gnocchi for the supermercato into boiling water and slapping some butter on it. AND, that's when I'm not feeling lazy, which would then be putting a sandwhich I picked up earlier in the day in the mIcrowave.AS far as the Zanzara( my new Italian word) go the Vape plug in seems to helping a bit, BUT still getting bit.
Love- You are always so sweet, thanks for reading
So Friday was a wacky day. I was awakened extra early by the market guys setting up below my window, like at 8. Then at 9:45 my cell rings. I had bought a Vodaphone Sim card, which I seem to constantly recharge. The conversation goes like this:
Me: Hello
Lady: Andrea?
Me: Si, Sono Andrea
Lady: two minutes straight of rapido Italian, that I caught maybe every 5th word of.
I have found that if you speak even the slightest amount of Italian to them they start rattling. I usually get what they are saying in person because I'm good at reading people and gestures and all but on the telefono, whole other ball game. It's like they are Nic Robertson reporting from Afghanastan on a 5 second delay. She goes to get her friend who speaks some English. NOw my comprehension delay is kicking in. OH, It's the landlady from the apartment on Via Dei Pepi where I left my notebook on the kitchen counter. Now the translator gets on the phone to tell me what I just figured out. Can I come, and when?
Well. I had an 11:00 second date, I mean appointment
with Lapo my new shiatsu masseuse, the spa was close by so I figure I'd swing by on the way there. So I say 1/2 hour? 10:15? Perfecto. Grab my stuff and out the door.About a 10 minute walk later I'm sitting at the curb outside Via Dei Pepi 70. And I sit ,and I sit, and NOW it's 10:40. I call back the lady. She is there! Where? I'm here! She was waiting in the apartment. The week before when she was on vacation her brother Gianni came to show the apartment and he met us outside , so I thought that's where I wait. I guess that's just for first time look-sees. So Upsatirs I go. She was a petite slightly older than I well dressed woman with another woman , her translator who was an older lady, in a moo moo with 3 teeth. I tried not to look and count but I couldn't help it. Her English was very good, although with a lisp.
I take my notebook and they ask what was wrong with the apartment. I didn't want to tell her the reason was the bathroom only had a drain in the floor for a shower , so like every other apartment I blame it on my friend who is in NY (Robin). My friend didn't like it. Plus this had a bedroom and a loft and we wanted 2 bedrooms. So the lady says( and this is all in Italian w/ the friend translating( that she has a friend, Marco,who owns the Farmacia down the block and he may have a 2 bedroom. I tell her I have an appointment at 11:00 on Via Sant Egidio. Not a problem, it's on the way and literally takes my hand to go with her. OK
We walk to the farmacia, she is still talking Italian to me , knowing full well by now I'm not understanding alot. I think she was telling me about her vacation. We get to the Farmacia and she introduces me to Marco(speaks English)and he says he has no 2 bedrooms BUT, he has a friend who does. This is a very popular way of finding an apartment in Italy. Sort of an Apartment Scavenger Hunt.
Alright, I say my ciaos, gotta run, Lapo is awaiting. So I briefly touched upon the whole shiatsu thing at the spa but really it's fantastico! Plus in two sessions has really helped my shoulder blade ( where my nerve pain from neck is sitting). When I first get ther it was right at 11, maybe 5 after. I had wanted to take a turkish steam before to loosen my muscles up a bit. Shiatsu is a bit like a Thai massage. Sort of an accupressure with strtching, not the lie on your stomach, 00h ahh feels so good massage. Hurts sometimes, but that's good.
The woman who owns the spa looks like a prettier version of Julia Louis Dryfuss ( who's pretty to begin with), dresses great, is from Turkey, married an Italian. She is also a medical doctor so she's been great in giving me advice for my problem. I walk in carrying a red nylon shopper that had my purse and loose fitting clothes for the massage. She had given me stuff to wear on my first visit but, I'm 5'2" and the pants were made for someone 5"8" and I looked like one of the peanuts dragging the pants bottoms across the floor. I hadn't packed any work out clothes except one pair yoga pants, had to do laundry so I just brought a pair of pink checkered pj pants with and a tank.Anyhoo she sees me walk in with the bag on my bad arm and immediatly takes it from me and says ' andrea, how are we supposed to help you if you don't help yourself!" You cannot carry heavy bags, especially not on that arm" I know I know, I'm sorry and she takes the bag and leads me to the locker room.? Nope, did not. OK and gives me a thin cotton turkish towel wrap thing to use. She says try to stay in for 10 minutes at least 5.
THe steam is hotter than any sauna I have ever been in, it's a wet heat, the marble room literally dripping as I am in sweat. I mean soaking wet. I can feel my face dripping off There is a cool water hand shower for when you get too hot. I think I lasted about 7 minutes I'll time myself next time. The great thing about is , you actually CAN feel your muscles loosening up and toxins leaving your body. I wish my apartment had one, I'd do it every day.
Done with the steam and I go to shower off and change for my massage which started up with a very interesting Q & A session. Gotta check emails brb.
Aug 24th, 2008, 03:14 AM
#95
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Interesting what you needed to get for your cat to got to Italy.
We brought TWO cats to France, admitedly 14 years ago, and they didn't need cat passports, chips etc. But we did get all the right papers, checks less than 10 days before, etc. No sedation, virtually nothing to eat or drink the day we left.
Cats went into their cages hours before we left, so they wouldnt get lost in the confusion. Off to the airport, where I'm sure we were overweight, but everyone was so amazed to find two cats, no one paid any attention to our other luggage.
Our cats travelled from Toronto to Paris in the hold, emerged on a luggage cart beside the elevator, looking a little stunned, but none the worse for wear. We pulled out our papers, had a look around, no one cared, so we put them on OUR luggage cart and walked out. No one ever asked about the papers. We had a taxi ride to the train station, 4 hours to wait, 5 hours on the train, taxi to our house (luckily we had already bought a house, and so didn't have to start looking for somewhere that accepted cats.)We figure they were in their cages at least 24 hours, without food and water for longer than that(on our vet's advice) No side effects, no problems - she said they just go into a kind of suspended animation, pretending they are anywhere else but on this horrific voyage, and basically shout down. It seemed to work.
Everyone had told us they should stay inside for at least two weeks so that they got used to the new house. However, having taken them away on vacation a few times, we knew they really only cared about where dinner was served, and that immediately became home. So they got dinner, had a sleep, next day decided they really lived in France now, and continued to do so happily for many years. Never did learn to speak French though.
I also sympathise with you and Vodaphone/Vodacom. We have gone to South Africa the last few winters. First time we found a server who was happy to have us on a monthly 'pay as you go' rate. Second time we couldn't find him, finally decided his small business had been bought out by biggie Vodacom. After a week of asking everyone we could find, we finally gave in and bought the Vodacom connector (WIreless LAN it says on the box) plus buying time, rather than a contract. Strangest system. You buy time at the VOdacom store, or supermarket, and get a receipt with a code. Then you take the SIM card out of your phone, replace it witht the SIM card in your LAN, download time, using the code on the receipt. Convert the time you just bought to data bundles. Take the SIM card out of the phone, replace it in the LAN and there you have enough time for a few weeks. Not cheap, but it works.
We decided that since we'd made a significant investment in hardware and learning curve, we might as well go back next year - also helps that we love Cape Town!
We brought TWO cats to France, admitedly 14 years ago, and they didn't need cat passports, chips etc. But we did get all the right papers, checks less than 10 days before, etc. No sedation, virtually nothing to eat or drink the day we left.
Cats went into their cages hours before we left, so they wouldnt get lost in the confusion. Off to the airport, where I'm sure we were overweight, but everyone was so amazed to find two cats, no one paid any attention to our other luggage.
Our cats travelled from Toronto to Paris in the hold, emerged on a luggage cart beside the elevator, looking a little stunned, but none the worse for wear. We pulled out our papers, had a look around, no one cared, so we put them on OUR luggage cart and walked out. No one ever asked about the papers. We had a taxi ride to the train station, 4 hours to wait, 5 hours on the train, taxi to our house (luckily we had already bought a house, and so didn't have to start looking for somewhere that accepted cats.)We figure they were in their cages at least 24 hours, without food and water for longer than that(on our vet's advice) No side effects, no problems - she said they just go into a kind of suspended animation, pretending they are anywhere else but on this horrific voyage, and basically shout down. It seemed to work.
Everyone had told us they should stay inside for at least two weeks so that they got used to the new house. However, having taken them away on vacation a few times, we knew they really only cared about where dinner was served, and that immediately became home. So they got dinner, had a sleep, next day decided they really lived in France now, and continued to do so happily for many years. Never did learn to speak French though.
I also sympathise with you and Vodaphone/Vodacom. We have gone to South Africa the last few winters. First time we found a server who was happy to have us on a monthly 'pay as you go' rate. Second time we couldn't find him, finally decided his small business had been bought out by biggie Vodacom. After a week of asking everyone we could find, we finally gave in and bought the Vodacom connector (WIreless LAN it says on the box) plus buying time, rather than a contract. Strangest system. You buy time at the VOdacom store, or supermarket, and get a receipt with a code. Then you take the SIM card out of your phone, replace it witht the SIM card in your LAN, download time, using the code on the receipt. Convert the time you just bought to data bundles. Take the SIM card out of the phone, replace it in the LAN and there you have enough time for a few weeks. Not cheap, but it works.
We decided that since we'd made a significant investment in hardware and learning curve, we might as well go back next year - also helps that we love Cape Town!
Aug 24th, 2008, 06:44 AM
#96
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"Moo moo 3 teeth...with a lisp"...another roarer!!
Thanks for making my Sunday!
Just A Cat...we keep reminding ourselves...she is not a deity.
Now we are all waiting to hear about your 'date'. Sorry to put the pressure on....we'll be patient!!
Thanks for making my Sunday!
Just A Cat...we keep reminding ourselves...she is not a deity.
Now we are all waiting to hear about your 'date'. Sorry to put the pressure on....we'll be patient!!
Aug 24th, 2008, 08:02 AM
#97
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It can't possibly take this long to check emails. Soooo, if dinner is not a big deal, is this just the time of day you and sis like to visit? Do you talk while preparing the dins? Sorry to hear the biting continues. If your friend from NYC is coming back, maybe you should have her bring back some Avon Skin So Soft or Off Deep Woods
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/f...mosquito-bites
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/f...mosquito-bites
Aug 24th, 2008, 11:00 AM
#98
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Yes, just likes to talk while <i prepare dinner.
You would not believe the craziest story EVER today, but first my massage. Lapo was waiting for me after I changed and the shiatzu area is downstairs in a cavern room. Futon on the floor, candle lit, weird Yogi music playing. I lie down on my back ready for my massage. Then Lapo sits down next to me and the questioning goes like this:
Lapo: I have some things you can answer me?
Me: OK
L: What is your tastes, what do you prefer?
** note in parenthases (sp) what I'd like to say, other what I actually said.
M: (you) about what?
L: sweet, sour your taste
M: oh, sweet
L: what swet?
M: chocolate, gelato etc.....
L:what is in your head, what do you think about?
M: (you) What's in my head? depends
L: when you are not awake , are there things in your head?
M: (my brain) OH, yeah , you mean when I dream? Yes i dream
L: about what?
M: (you) Lots of things
See a trend yet?
He goes on to ask me if my head is too crowded, if my dreams are always the same or different, get this one, if after I eat ( and I wish I had the visual for his hand movement on this one) does the food go out? Basically if I poop ok ( totally ruined the mood on that one. If I keep things in or let them go? Am I scary? to which I replied sometimes although he was trying to get at whether I was scared of things. I said somethings, like airplanes, bugs and the dark, told him I still sleep with a night light. Sad but true. Finally I say what's with the psychotherapy? He says he needs to know where the pain is coming from.
Finally my massage begins. Weird thing about shiatsu, it's all about the Chi and meridians so as he starts with his palm on my stomach I couldn't help thinking how I wish I hadn't had that croissant for breakfast. This massage is so good and is helping my shoulder so much that although I am supposed to be on a pretty strict budget with no income while I'm here, for now, that I shell out 450E for a package of six. You can take the girl out of NYC but not NYC out of the girl. I justified it by it being the same as I paid for Physical Therapy out of pocket each week back in the states, and he doesn't make me do exercises and is really nice to look at.
So it's about one when I leave and I had a 3:15 to look at an apartment on Via San Zanobi by an agency run by Elaina. A very nice woman 90 if a day who uses a magnifying glass to read and insists that I know Italian. She had called me the day before to come to her agency to tell me about the appointment, Why that couldn't be done on the phone, No Lo So.
So the apartment was nice, no great shakes, but with the agencies there is one months fee, plus 2 months security and the rent. That's 4 months upfront which equals alot of Euros and even more dollars. we had the possibility of a deal on the down low going on with someone else so we will try to avoid the agencies if possible.
Next my pedicure and dinner with Violincellista.
You would not believe the craziest story EVER today, but first my massage. Lapo was waiting for me after I changed and the shiatzu area is downstairs in a cavern room. Futon on the floor, candle lit, weird Yogi music playing. I lie down on my back ready for my massage. Then Lapo sits down next to me and the questioning goes like this:
Lapo: I have some things you can answer me?
Me: OK
L: What is your tastes, what do you prefer?
** note in parenthases (sp) what I'd like to say, other what I actually said.
M: (you) about what?
L: sweet, sour your taste
M: oh, sweet
L: what swet?
M: chocolate, gelato etc.....
L:what is in your head, what do you think about?
M: (you) What's in my head? depends
L: when you are not awake , are there things in your head?
M: (my brain) OH, yeah , you mean when I dream? Yes i dream
L: about what?
M: (you) Lots of things
See a trend yet?
He goes on to ask me if my head is too crowded, if my dreams are always the same or different, get this one, if after I eat ( and I wish I had the visual for his hand movement on this one) does the food go out? Basically if I poop ok ( totally ruined the mood on that one. If I keep things in or let them go? Am I scary? to which I replied sometimes although he was trying to get at whether I was scared of things. I said somethings, like airplanes, bugs and the dark, told him I still sleep with a night light. Sad but true. Finally I say what's with the psychotherapy? He says he needs to know where the pain is coming from.
Finally my massage begins. Weird thing about shiatsu, it's all about the Chi and meridians so as he starts with his palm on my stomach I couldn't help thinking how I wish I hadn't had that croissant for breakfast. This massage is so good and is helping my shoulder so much that although I am supposed to be on a pretty strict budget with no income while I'm here, for now, that I shell out 450E for a package of six. You can take the girl out of NYC but not NYC out of the girl. I justified it by it being the same as I paid for Physical Therapy out of pocket each week back in the states, and he doesn't make me do exercises and is really nice to look at.
So it's about one when I leave and I had a 3:15 to look at an apartment on Via San Zanobi by an agency run by Elaina. A very nice woman 90 if a day who uses a magnifying glass to read and insists that I know Italian. She had called me the day before to come to her agency to tell me about the appointment, Why that couldn't be done on the phone, No Lo So.
So the apartment was nice, no great shakes, but with the agencies there is one months fee, plus 2 months security and the rent. That's 4 months upfront which equals alot of Euros and even more dollars. we had the possibility of a deal on the down low going on with someone else so we will try to avoid the agencies if possible.
Next my pedicure and dinner with Violincellista.
