There are two things to keep in mind in Italy. The first is to reduce asking questions to any human beings if possible. Most of the people do not know what they are talking about in this country unfortunately. Our handout from the previous program was incorrectly written. The discription of the transportation didn't even exist. The direction to a performance place had a huge mistake right from the 1st line. The worst is that after so many different tourists not being able to find where to go, the handout will stay the same probably for the coming decade! Help yourself by googling places online.
The second thing is that don't panic, because nothing will work anyways.
My philoshphy is to prepare for the worst, but to imagine the best. Although people may not know what they are talking about. Most of time, they are nice. They can be really direct, but it's just the way they live. Nothing should be taken personally. While I was deciding to buy a pair of boots. I asked the sales lady about the color. She told me that she can't decide for me and she has been extremely tired after a full day of work. My Italian plus her English finally made both of us realize that I was not making her decide for me, and she was just tired.
Some places charge you service fee unlike the no need to tip everyone talks about. However, if you tell those places that you are a student, sometimes, they take the service fee out from the check. Basically, wherever you want to go, you have to pay. When you have a global Eurail pass, there may be some discounts and deals you can get.
Men are forward in this country. Do not accept anything unless you are ok with what he expects in return. I accepted a map of Italy with a kiss on my cheek. My friend got kisses all over her neck after this guy agreed to drive three of us home. Apparently, we were out too soon to miss the show. And yes, the man is married with kids. The doorman of Santa Maria at Roma who let me take pictures without "offering 50 cents" asked what I was doing later. After the disappointment of knowing me going back to Milano right away, I gave him 3 hand shakes with "good luck" in return.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Coraggio, Ü 2
Italy is very special. Until now, every day has been unbearably hot. Air conditioning is a rare luxury. Thank god that after working in Siena, the weather turned milder. While treating myself two nights in Athena Hotel(for all the hard work since day one in Siena), I contacted friends in Milan. Actually, we only met briefly for work in the same facility 2 years ago in Taiwan. She was superb and told me that I could come "tomorrow". I did. And that's why I'm in Milan now.
Nobody knows how things work in this country. The people in Siena told me the only way a foreigner can get an Eurail pass is to get it in his/her own country. Books tell you that travel agencies can buy passes for you but none of them was able/willing to. The website tells you that you may be able to buy it at some train stations without telling you which tran stations they are. At one of the desks at Trenitalia in Milano Centrale, I was able to buy the Eurial pass.
Buying tickets is art as well. The online tickets can only be purchased long enough in advence, and sometimes, because of the stations, you can't buy online tickets. When I was Milano Centrale, at the desk of trenitalia, I was able to buy the one way ticket to Roma Termini. When I was coming back just now, the lady at the desk told me that Eurail pass holders can only use the self-served machines purchasing tickets for routes in Italy. There is really no way to talk them through, unlike in the US with a louder volume.
And no, although metro seems to exist in many cities in Italy. The metro card you buy is only good at the city you purchase the ticket in. In Rome, one should be extra careful. The ticket machines only takes cash when it doesn't give you more than 6 euro of change. Unused one time ticket get you nowhere once it's passed 100 minute after the purchase time.
Drinking water is for purchasing. Sometimes, when you order enough, you may be able to get free water. But, rarely. Full grown bushes under the armpits can be seen occasionally. Everything looks artistic and beautiful in Italy. Frecciarossa is very comfortable. However, when I chose "silent coach", there was still a woman picking up her phone three times with high volume. What can you do? There seems to be no rules in this country. As long as you don't kill anyone, anything seems fine.
Shockingly, operas are not as popular as I expected when I told people I work for opera productions. The generation of the appreciation of opera definitely is not broad. People even shush me after they requested me singing something from the opera. When I went to concerts, masterclasses, and voice lessons, lots of the singers sang with complicated octupus arms. Expression seemed to be confused with unvolantary meaningless hand movements.
Perhaps once I leave Italy, I will change my mind!?
Nobody knows how things work in this country. The people in Siena told me the only way a foreigner can get an Eurail pass is to get it in his/her own country. Books tell you that travel agencies can buy passes for you but none of them was able/willing to. The website tells you that you may be able to buy it at some train stations without telling you which tran stations they are. At one of the desks at Trenitalia in Milano Centrale, I was able to buy the Eurial pass.
Buying tickets is art as well. The online tickets can only be purchased long enough in advence, and sometimes, because of the stations, you can't buy online tickets. When I was Milano Centrale, at the desk of trenitalia, I was able to buy the one way ticket to Roma Termini. When I was coming back just now, the lady at the desk told me that Eurail pass holders can only use the self-served machines purchasing tickets for routes in Italy. There is really no way to talk them through, unlike in the US with a louder volume.
And no, although metro seems to exist in many cities in Italy. The metro card you buy is only good at the city you purchase the ticket in. In Rome, one should be extra careful. The ticket machines only takes cash when it doesn't give you more than 6 euro of change. Unused one time ticket get you nowhere once it's passed 100 minute after the purchase time.
Drinking water is for purchasing. Sometimes, when you order enough, you may be able to get free water. But, rarely. Full grown bushes under the armpits can be seen occasionally. Everything looks artistic and beautiful in Italy. Frecciarossa is very comfortable. However, when I chose "silent coach", there was still a woman picking up her phone three times with high volume. What can you do? There seems to be no rules in this country. As long as you don't kill anyone, anything seems fine.
Shockingly, operas are not as popular as I expected when I told people I work for opera productions. The generation of the appreciation of opera definitely is not broad. People even shush me after they requested me singing something from the opera. When I went to concerts, masterclasses, and voice lessons, lots of the singers sang with complicated octupus arms. Expression seemed to be confused with unvolantary meaningless hand movements.
Perhaps once I leave Italy, I will change my mind!?
Coraggio, Ü 1
Many of you may not know that I am on a mission in Europe now. About a year ago, I got fxxxxx by a state university. They at the very last minute told me that they never saw O1 VISA in their lives and they had to put me on hold until they figured out how to work me there. Nothing was sorted out before 2012. At the same time, I did not win any competition. The grand disappointment was not getting an artist fund. All the things together delayed my new VISA progress. On top of that, I switched to a different lawyer, and I can tell you that she is not really on top of everything after all I've been through.
Finally, I got the money, and started the process. It was a huge pain in the butt to get all my recommendation letters. Because of the new announcement from USCIS, I was rushing to send my application out before July 1, 2012. The very last letter was finally collected/received by the end of June. My lawyer told me that it's too risky to send the green card application out because I will be checked intensely by the government, and apparently, she doesn't think I have all legal prooves of the work I've done. Although, after Jared and I looked closely on USCIS website, it said things differently. I could have had a chance.
The lawyer suggested me to get married(of course, another application fee for her), because it can wave all the "illegal" process I've experienced. And if I get married, even though I have no legal status currently, I can be completely ok waiting for the green card in the US. It was really tempting but as you know by now, nothing happened. For that topic, I got into many arguments with my partner. While struggling for no answer, I thought about the opportunity to work in Siena invited a few months ago. After contacting them, I agreed to work for the program with only one-way ticket to Siena as my compensation and potential artist mangagement after the program.
The answer is no if you ask me whether I get any auditions/contact from the organizer of this program in Siena. The person who got me involved with this program felt extremely sorry, and thankfully, with his help, I was able to connect with a descent network in mainly Germany. Also, thanks to my friends all over the world on facebook, I am able to couch surf in many places. I'm forever grateful for having being friends with you all.
Well, the best story about my adventure is that my parents only learned where I was about 5 days ago. As usual, my mom worried about me alone in Europe. I told her that I started from scratch in the US, it is just a broader picture to think about in Europe. Certainly, I will face more language learning phases on this continent.
Finally, I got the money, and started the process. It was a huge pain in the butt to get all my recommendation letters. Because of the new announcement from USCIS, I was rushing to send my application out before July 1, 2012. The very last letter was finally collected/received by the end of June. My lawyer told me that it's too risky to send the green card application out because I will be checked intensely by the government, and apparently, she doesn't think I have all legal prooves of the work I've done. Although, after Jared and I looked closely on USCIS website, it said things differently. I could have had a chance.
The lawyer suggested me to get married(of course, another application fee for her), because it can wave all the "illegal" process I've experienced. And if I get married, even though I have no legal status currently, I can be completely ok waiting for the green card in the US. It was really tempting but as you know by now, nothing happened. For that topic, I got into many arguments with my partner. While struggling for no answer, I thought about the opportunity to work in Siena invited a few months ago. After contacting them, I agreed to work for the program with only one-way ticket to Siena as my compensation and potential artist mangagement after the program.
The answer is no if you ask me whether I get any auditions/contact from the organizer of this program in Siena. The person who got me involved with this program felt extremely sorry, and thankfully, with his help, I was able to connect with a descent network in mainly Germany. Also, thanks to my friends all over the world on facebook, I am able to couch surf in many places. I'm forever grateful for having being friends with you all.
Well, the best story about my adventure is that my parents only learned where I was about 5 days ago. As usual, my mom worried about me alone in Europe. I told her that I started from scratch in the US, it is just a broader picture to think about in Europe. Certainly, I will face more language learning phases on this continent.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
First week in Milan
A message to both Hsiaopei and Wilnn, a day later, I was in Milan. Milan is very different from Siena. The public transportation is fantastic. There are also many great stores for shopping except I can't afford anything before I finish this trip. I visited Duomo and also saw the night life of my friends, rather mild but lots of fun still. The Chinese food here is amazing.
My only struggle was trying to buy a month continuo Eurail pass. When I was in Siena, they told me that as a foreigner, I can only purchase at my own country. When I went to a travel agency in Milan, they told me that I need to talk with people in Stazione Milano Centrale. Eventually, I got it at the trenitalia counter with the salesperson who doesn't really speak English. In a day or two, I will activate this baby and travel everywhere as much as I can!
Hsiaopei is a very nice gal. She speaks Italian very well and lives a rather regular life starting with practice her voice to cook meals and watch downloaded TV series. She is extremely good at taking care of people. I am very blessed to be hosted, because our only encounter were the few minutes we saw each other while working in Experimental Theater in Taiwan for two different productions a few years ago.
During the day time, Milan is less hot than Siena. During the nights, I've been a killer of zanzare(mosquito). After visiting the Duomo and the castle, I've been sending job application and connection emails like crazy. It's indeed the most adventurous journey I've had for my entire life. The best part of this trip is that I get to use my broken Italian, French and German to communicate with people from all over the world, and it can really frustrate me sometimes, especially when I can't find the word I want from my electronic dictionary!
Oh well, the loneliness has not got to me yet. After speaking with my parents last morning, they seemed very impressed by my unknown plan and journey. Let's just hope that I can manage money well and at least make it back home to Taiwan ok.
As usual, love you all and ttyl.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Siena 2
I thought I posted something last week but I just realized my failure. The program is finally finished. By the third week of the program, from the students to the faculty all felt home sick. My italian language still stays present tense only. Hopefully, by staying in town for a couple of more days, I'll be able to practice and move on to past tense.
The program has been a true task. We learned how to deal with the disorganization everywhere in Siena. When I think about how long they have maintained the Palio culture, it is not hard to imagine their laid back philosophy could go on for centuries as well.
To the laid back thing, I thought "Italian time" was well established. However, our landlady came to examine the room right at noon without any delay. I suppose, there are very few exceptions. Or, when it's about kicking people out, there is no delay. :p
I met some great talents and made some new cool friends. Ursula had been not only the policewoman keeping our environment clean, but also rocked the world like Marilyn in her Orlando performances. Caroline is kind, generous, intelligent and a beautiful human being, as her beautiful voice! Caroline provided all sorts of snacks that I'd never seen. The coolest part about Caroline was the fact that she speaks 4 languages fluently. So, don't ever say you are fluent in something unless you are really fluent, or, if it's Mandarin. Allison has the most resonated laughter, and she definitely knows how to have a great time. (I learned while hanging out with the gang on the last night at del campo). Joanna looked very serious for most of time. Her presence as zia principessa was invincible! Because of living together, we got to discover her other talent. I completely lost it when she turned into Ms. Piggy having a conversation with Alvin, the chipmunk(by Ursula). Let's not mention how flexible her facial muscles are, and what they can make possible! Joanna is a great sister. She taught us the philosophy of Hedonism. She, Urs and I successfully polluted Emily with our practice at Enoristorante. It was a day to remember in Siena, air conditioning, cab, and more air conditioning in a wifi provided restaurant with lots of alcohol, veggie, bread, and more fiorentine. I miss them greatly while bogging. Finding a good roommate is hard enough. It was incredible for me to spend three weeks with these amazing talented women.
It was emotional when Tom, Stefano, Maria and I said goodbye at Hotel Palazzo(Joanna booked a kick ass room there). I'm forever grateful for having to know their wonderful being and support in art and in person. Stefano's Risotto will be forever missed! I'm still the same rice whore.
Every single student/colleague in this program moved me in his/her own way. Some of them came with great talents and training, and some of them were only beginners. I was touched and very impressed by how much work and how much improvement we'd got every day until the performances. Nothing is impossible after this experience.
Marishka is a beast! She is sexy, intellectual, fun, and full of energy. I still can't believe she ran every day in this hilly town during the program. Her love to teach was highly appreciated by every student. I was absolutely stunned while watching the last Broadway classic concert. Marishka's artistic hard work with the singers inspired and shined beautifully. There were two numbers I couldn't get out of my mind, Jessica's good and evil & He had it comin'.
Alright, I better get out for a little bit before I come back for my siesta nap!
The program has been a true task. We learned how to deal with the disorganization everywhere in Siena. When I think about how long they have maintained the Palio culture, it is not hard to imagine their laid back philosophy could go on for centuries as well.
To the laid back thing, I thought "Italian time" was well established. However, our landlady came to examine the room right at noon without any delay. I suppose, there are very few exceptions. Or, when it's about kicking people out, there is no delay. :p
I met some great talents and made some new cool friends. Ursula had been not only the policewoman keeping our environment clean, but also rocked the world like Marilyn in her Orlando performances. Caroline is kind, generous, intelligent and a beautiful human being, as her beautiful voice! Caroline provided all sorts of snacks that I'd never seen. The coolest part about Caroline was the fact that she speaks 4 languages fluently. So, don't ever say you are fluent in something unless you are really fluent, or, if it's Mandarin. Allison has the most resonated laughter, and she definitely knows how to have a great time. (I learned while hanging out with the gang on the last night at del campo). Joanna looked very serious for most of time. Her presence as zia principessa was invincible! Because of living together, we got to discover her other talent. I completely lost it when she turned into Ms. Piggy having a conversation with Alvin, the chipmunk(by Ursula). Let's not mention how flexible her facial muscles are, and what they can make possible! Joanna is a great sister. She taught us the philosophy of Hedonism. She, Urs and I successfully polluted Emily with our practice at Enoristorante. It was a day to remember in Siena, air conditioning, cab, and more air conditioning in a wifi provided restaurant with lots of alcohol, veggie, bread, and more fiorentine. I miss them greatly while bogging. Finding a good roommate is hard enough. It was incredible for me to spend three weeks with these amazing talented women.
It was emotional when Tom, Stefano, Maria and I said goodbye at Hotel Palazzo(Joanna booked a kick ass room there). I'm forever grateful for having to know their wonderful being and support in art and in person. Stefano's Risotto will be forever missed! I'm still the same rice whore.
Every single student/colleague in this program moved me in his/her own way. Some of them came with great talents and training, and some of them were only beginners. I was touched and very impressed by how much work and how much improvement we'd got every day until the performances. Nothing is impossible after this experience.
Marishka is a beast! She is sexy, intellectual, fun, and full of energy. I still can't believe she ran every day in this hilly town during the program. Her love to teach was highly appreciated by every student. I was absolutely stunned while watching the last Broadway classic concert. Marishka's artistic hard work with the singers inspired and shined beautifully. There were two numbers I couldn't get out of my mind, Jessica's good and evil & He had it comin'.
Alright, I better get out for a little bit before I come back for my siesta nap!
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