YvonneT

Saturday marked the appearance of Babbo Natale, by the boatload:

http://ytaba36.wordpress.com/2011/12...-by-the-dozen/

annhig

love the babbo natale!

or should that be babbi natali?

either way looks wrong!

tarquin

Is this your blog Yvonne? If so, tell us about the Italian school PLEASE.

I love the side photos - San Francesco della Vigna?

YvonneT

Hi, tarquin. Yes, it's my blog. I think the side photo is from Giudecca, the ex-convent of Santi Cosma and Damiano.

I have found the school (Istituto Veneziana) quite good. I'm in the Level 2 class, and find the teachers good, patient and helpful and interesting.

My main comment would be: with classes from 9 until 1, then a few hours of homework (assuming you're taking it seriously), there's not much time left in the day! I have found having my little computer with me invaluable for the homework! So, it depends on your motivation, and whether you can cope with giving up some of the time usually spent enjoying life in Venice.Even with 3 months here, I am glad I am only booked for 2 weeks of classes.

annhig, if I ask the teachers your question, they'll make me do homework on the topic!

annhig

annhig, if I ask the teachers your question, they'll make me do homework on the topic!>>

non sarebbe essere troppo difficile, Yvonne! the plural of babbo ought to be babbi [male plural] and to make it agree, the adjective natale becomes natali.

but i'm not sure that applies to set phases, which my italian dictionary tells me "Babbo Natale" is. and it also says that the noun "Babbo" meaning daddy is male, but invariable. as for "natale" it can mean "of one's birth" as well as Christmas. in the former form, it can be changed to "natali", but does that occur when it's used for christmas, as in Christmas Tree? my dictionary tells me that's "albero di Natale"

perhaps "Babbo di Natale" is better.

perhaps one of the native italian speakers here will kindly elucidate.

how long are you studying at the school? I did a week [yes, only a week] at a language school in Tuscany last year and came away realising how much more I could have learnt if I'd had even one week longer. when i was researching I can across the one you are at in Venice, I think, and still get newsletters from them occasionally; they look pretty good to me.

zeppole

It's Babbi Natale

annhig

thanks, Zeppole.

I knew someone would know the answer!

caroline_edinburgh

Hi Yvonne. How lovely - thanks for sharing ! We are moving to Venice soon so would you mind telling me what you have done for accommodation for your 3 month trip ? Were you able to get a longterm flat ? On our last 2 holidays there we have noted a couple of estate agents and I've found a couple online, but it would be interesting to hear your experience. I guess you must be leaving soon ? Cheers, Caroline

YvonneT

I am renting an apartment that I found when I asked about a B&B, for my stay earlier this year. They showed me several apartments, any of which would have met my needs.

I guess, just keep looking online, maybe take some temporary place then decide what part of Venice would suit you, what features you want, and look at places when you're here.

When are you hoping to make your move here? I'm here until mid-February, Caroline.

caroline_edinburgh

Hi Yvonne. Thanks for that - did you rent privately through a contact or through one of the agencies ? Where is your flat, if you don't mind me asking ? We have always stayed in Dorsoduro before (6 holiday trips, 8 weeks total) and would like to stay there longterm ideally, if we can find an apartment which is available and the right price. Probably towards the western end (although no further than the old Stazione Marittima, I think) as I expect it will be cheaper than the eastern end and it would be a shorter walk to get a train or bus if we end up commuting somewhere to work. We have already lined up a reasonably priced holiday flat on Calle Lunga San Barnaba for the first 2 weeks, hopefully with the option to extend on a week by week basis if necessary - we have stayed in one of the other flats in the same building before, and think the location absoluely ideal. (Ah, you know Peter don't you ? It's the same building he has stayed in.) But we'll just have to see what is available when we get there - I don't really want to commit to anywhere long term without seeing it. We arrive 4th March - shame we'll miss you.

annhig

caroline, do you remember a relocation programme about 10 years ago, when they assisted families to relocate abroad?

the sequence seemed to be to start off in a hotel [you're missing that stage out], then a holiday type apartment, and then something more long-term. it usually seemed to take them a month or so to find the more permanent place, but they of course had researchers to help them.

i think what I'm trying to say is that it might be worth extending the time in your holiday apartment a little to make sure that you find the right, more permanent place - if finances will allow of course.

YvonneT

I'm staying in a small apartment near la Fenice, San Marco. I saw it in April, so I thought I knew what it was like! But, it's winter now, and has very little natural light, so it's a little dim, if you know what I mean! So, you sort of have to think of what a place will be like in different seasons, too.