Ciao Ragazzi,

it's Saturday afternoon here in Palermo and I am FREEEEEZINNGGGG!!! WOW, it's cold. Which is equally strange because there is cloud cover and that usually means a atmospheric blanket. The weather seems unpredictable here. There is a lot more thunder and lightning than in California. I had a conversation with my friend Jake (the American guy whose room I am taking over next month when he leaves), and he joked that his knee was aching so it's going to rain. He said he's used to the weather now and can feel what to expect. Last night it was soooooo windy. I went with some friends for a great dinner at one of the port towns about 1/2 hour away, and the wind was blowing so strong that great sprays of sea water were blown across the promenade and into the parking lot. My hair was cute when I left, but after being in that wind, it was a disaster. My friend Davide took pictures:





We had an incredible Italian seafood dinner. I had my first taste ever of sea urchin, and they were so awkward to pick up, my Italian friends just laughed and did it for me. You scoop the orange part out, put it on bread, and then eat. I didn't think it really tasted like anything other than a salty cream. But the mussels in tomato sauce was DIVINE. I love mussels anyway, but these may have been the best ever. They were cleaned really well so there was no sand to crunch on, and none of them were bitter. Mmmmmmm....






Later we went to this big couchsurfing party at a music bar that is actually about four blocks from my apartment. I have walked past this bar every day and thought about going in but didn't have an excuse until last night. There were sooooo many people. It was crazy. Something I think is strange is the color scheme here. The Italian girls all wear black. Nobody wears color at all. I fit in because I was wearing a black shirt and jeans (although if I had wanted to be ultra-chic I would have worn my black pants as well). I miss the colors that I see on people in the states. The Italian women wear lots and lots of accessories and their clothes are usually highly embellished. I like things that have eye-catching cuts and necklines, but that are essentially simple with maybe one strategic detail. And I love color. I knew about the dark neutral colors are more popular so I brought those, but I am getting bored with the monochromatic scheme. Oh well.




I had another one of those: OMG, I am in Italy moments. After dinner Davide was driving us back to Palermo, and I was sitting in the front seat, an Austrian girl named Brigite (say: Brig-ee-tay) was in the backseat, and we were speeding along a Sicilian highway. I saw the Wind Corporate offices (big cell phone company), and various billboards in Italian. I peered at the Sicilian houses lit up on the hills, and I remained quiet while Davide sang along to "You're beautiful" by James Blunt. James Blunt - You're Beautiful


My life is brilliant.

My life is brilliant
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Yes, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
F-ing high,
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last 'till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

La la la la la la la la la

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

Davide has a great voice and can play the guitar (as well as draw and speak nearly perfect English). I knew he was partly singing to me because he has a major crush on me, and I don't feel that way about him. It was just a moment where I had to smile at what a miraculous existence I lead. To be speeding along a highway in Italy listening to someone sing to me, after having eaten a delicious and authentic dinner, on my way back to a strange city...how far I have come from my childhood in Mendocino. How far I have come from my shyness, my insecurity, my constant feeling of awkwardness, my frustration of being different. So I lead the life less traveled, and I am grateful.