First Impressions of Italy

The flight to Italy seemed to be the easiest part of the trip so far since I slept during the entire flight, but then we got to the train station and the chaos commenced. Knowing the little Italian that I do was not helpful enough to make our way through the train station, find out which train we are taking, and buy our tickets, but luckily we all managed to work together and get on the train from Milan to Genoa. During the train ride staring outside looking at the view of Italy I think that I was still in shock, looking at the view of fields and rivers and houses with the clotheslines out the window should make me feel like I have finally arrived in Italy but not until I stepped outside the train station into the center of Genoa did I really arrive. As soon as we got out of the train station and I am looking at this huge fountain with mountains in the background where you can see small houses built on it and looking at some of the city I was just looking and didn't even know what to think except "wow".

The architecture is too beautiful for words and the city layout is very interesting and very different from anything I have seen, the buildings are so tall and close together that it blocks the sun from even reaching the sidewalk in most places, you can definitely tell that this is not like any city you would find in America. Eating my first slice of pizza from an Italian restaurant was quite an experience and then walking through the city of Genoa at night down the cobblestone streets, with hanging lights outside of buildings, walking past the church of San Lorenzo, seeing basically an introduction to the next 6 weeks is making me so eager to go out with my camera and start shooting.

Today we got a more of a taste of Italy, first I went into a panetteria (bakery) and ordered myself un brioche semplice (croissant) and accidentally grabbed the famous italian aqua frizzante (fizzy water) which is not what I wanted but va bene (it's O.K.) Then we were able to have our first Italian lesson which was taught in only Italian, no English whatsoever, which is definitely helping me learn and get more assimilated into the culture. The bus ride today was where I got to see how culturally diverse the city of Genoa actually is by seeing all these different types of people walking around the streets and getting on the bus and just by looking at the people I wouldn't even be able to tell that I'm in italy. To finish off the day we ate dinner by the port where we were able to see the cool blue water of the Mediterranean and the large port that the city is famous for, I ordered penne with shrimp which was very interesting when the shrimp was served whole on top of the pasta, and had my first Italian gelato which was one of the most delicious desserts I have ever had. I am so anxious to go out and shoot and can't wait to discover more. I will have pictures to post soon.

Ciao,
Harry