Is Spring Here Yet?

So March has come and gone, and it's hard to believe that April is almost over, also. The weather has been pretending to get nicer, but for the past few days rain is just a constant theme in Milan. That hasn't stopped me from going to class, working at my internship, and continuing my day-to-day life here, though. My two weeks of vacation, which were practically extended to three if we take into account visitors (aka Anna) are sadly over, and it's back to real life.

Switzerland and more

My thoughts from a few weeks ago that I never got around to posting...

The weather has been getting much nicer recently, but Milan had several days of rain that felt like several weeks. The city becomes quite gloomy and dark when it rains, but the sun has been shining in the past week or so. Meanwhile, when I arrived in Bern, Switzerland, many weekends ago by this point, it was actually snowing. I was astonished, but as I walked around the city on Saturday, the sun was out and I was able to take full advantage of the day. Speaking of which, I feel like my weekend in Switzerland was very well spent. I went alone, and I had a great time. I spent practically all day Saturday in Bern; I charted out my route and saw so much that I think I basically covered the entire city. On Sunday in Zurich, I started out at 10 in the morning and did not stop until 7 that night, when I felt that I had finally worn myself out enough and got on a train back to Milan. One thing that really stood out in my mind in Switzerland, which I know is funny, is that they actually let pedestrians cross the street there. It’s just a huge change from Milan, where they just barely let you and go and drive around you. I’ve been so close to getting hit many times, but it’s just something I’ve gotten used to. Similar to the smoking, which is absolutely everywhere. Its practically impossible to escape it. To see my own guided tour of Switzerland, check out my photos:

Weekend in Switzerland

A few more observations about Milan... it takes a lot of balance to live here. I mean physcial balance. I don’t know how people do it – I haven’t gotten quite used to it yet. Balance is needed most on the public transportation, particularly the buses and trams, which I use often. The problem is that the trams and buses move very quickly and usually stop abruptly, due to traffic, pedestrians, or just because the drivers think that it’s fine to slam on the brakes at the last second. So you have to hold on, and hold on tight. People sway around the bus or the tram, and it’s usually so crowded already that you end up bumping into everyone who surrounds you. Holding on is pretty much essential because not holding on means either just falling or falling into someone. That’s my two cents about that. There was one other thing that I wanted to mention – models. It’s a fascinating thing, because I feel like I see models all over the city. It is Milan, after all -- the fashion capital. I have learned to recognize them because they are typically male, dressed very casually yet stylishly, with a persistently aloof look on their face. The last and most obvious indicator is the large map hanging out of their back pocket – the dead give-away. It’s actually the same map that each of the students on my program was given at orientation – it’s an amazing map of the city, and it would have otherwise cost € 5 – that is not a small sum for a college student studying abroad!

Here is another album, just of photos I've taken around the city of Milano -- no captions, but just some artistic and inspired shots:

Una passeggiata a Milano

Skiing in the Alps

I think that with these photos, I am finally caught up with my uploading. For now.

From my weekend skiing in the Alps of northern Italy with my program:
http://picasaweb.google.com/kaufman.anna/WeekendInValtellinaSkiing?authkey=Gv1sRgCPnftNjDj-mSwgE&feat=directlink

Ciao,

Anna

Most Recently Uploaded Photos

In the midst of cooking for myself, going to class, beginning my internship, doing homework, exploring the city, and sleeping, I have still found the time to upload new photos onto Picasa and even give them captions.

Here's the latest:

Weekend in Nice and Monaco

Ciao,

Anna

More Photos

Photos from my weekend in Germany:

http://picasaweb.google.com/kaufman.anna/WeekendInMunich?authkey=YuGwqEzK5hQ&feat=directlink

Check it out!

Also, happy birthday to Masha. Love you!

Ciao,

Anna

Photos!

So I haven't been up for writing much lately. I've begun classes, which means that I have actual homework to do now. I have been adding photos, though, to my Picasa albums. They have captions that hopefully tell enough of the story to give a general overview of my time here up to now.
Some photos showing the basics of my life here (just click on the photo to get to the album):

More Views of the Milanese Lifestyle

This one is from my weekend trip to Florence:

Weekend in Firenze

Hope that keeps you entertained enough for now. More are coming as soon as I have the time.

Ciao,

Anna

Getting Acquainted with City Life

It's been a few weeks since my arrival, and I'm really starting to get accustomed to life in Italy, and life in Milan. I still miss everyone back home, but it's exciting exploring new places and meeting new people. More of my observations are below:
* They love Obama! When people find an American, they assume that you're from New York (usually) and ask if you support Obama. Speaking of which, we were able to see the inauguration since they screened it at a bar near our school.
* Cars are parked on the street. On the sidewalk, in the middle of the street, everywhere.
* In post offices and banks, they have an interesting system -- to get in, you wait for an automatic door to open, then you walk into an enclosed area, sort of similar to an elevator, then the door behind you closes and the door in front opens. The line is actually quite organized -- you get a ticket, depending on what kind of service you need, and you wait until your number is called. I guess that is comparable to the deli line in supermarkets.

I guess that's all I can think of for now. I've been keeping busy, though. I took a day trip to Bologna, and spent last weekend in Florence (Firenze as they call it in Italy) with my roommates and some other girls from the program. This weekend (tonight at midnight, actually), I am taking a train to Munich, Germany with one of my roommates and another girl from the program. We don't have classes tomorrow since the intensive Italian language period is over, so we'll be there for Friday, Saturday, and return on Sunday. We're thinking about spending next weekend in Monte Carlo, Monaco, which is very exciting. Milan is a great place to travel from, I've realized, because it is in northern Italy and very accessible.
As for classes, all of them start on Monday the 9th, and my one course at Bocconi (the business school) begins a week later, on the 16th. Monday I have an interview for an internship that I might be doing this semester in Milan. When classes start, my schedule will probably be much busier, but hopefully I'll still find time to write.
The weather has been unruly -- so much rain, and even snow one day. But that will hopefully change in the coming month or so.

I've been uploading photos to my Picasa albums, so check them out! The first album is here: http://picasaweb.google.it/kaufman.anna/MyFirstViewOfItaly?authkey=XLBEvdc3-qk&feat=directlink
To get to the second, click this link: http://picasaweb.google.it/kaufman.anna/GettingAcquaintedWithCityLife?authkey=JFoD3BpHplc&feat=directlink

I have lots more photos to share, from my walks around the city and my trip to Florence. After this coming weekend I'll have even more! I know I'll get around to it, so just be patient!

For a sneak preview, here's a photo that I love --
This is close to my school and right near a metro stop that's always busy.

Let me know what you think of my posts by commenting, emailing, or mailing me something (hint: I love receving mail, but don't declare a value since I'll have to pay a fee for it!).
My mailing address is:
Anna Kaufman c/o IES Abroad Milan
Via Carducci, 26
20123, Milano
Italy

Ciao for now.

Love,

Anna