Typical stuff

This week was pretty typical...some cold weather, some freezing runs around the area and a visit to the local gas station to pick up some groceries. Actually the Tamoil it's called, similar to Shell at home, it's a nice station that also happens to have a very useful kiosk...as Deanna said the best chocolate crossaint on her whole visit. After a visit to the local Australian doctor that I think every American goes to, Hayley and I stopped in to buy some last minute groceries. When we came out we were sorry to find our car completely blocked in by others. We had just been talking about the irony in that fact that Italians, at least in Ticino (Swiss Italians), happen to be very unaware when others are waiting for them, but the most impatient when they are waiting for other people. Well this parking situation was a prime example. We took a picture!

At school, my students always seem to amaze me with the unique perspectives they have from attending an international school and also from unique experiences they have from traveling and living in Europe. A Swiss German student I have, Celina, said to me today," Ms.Tremble isn't it weird in America when you can drive a long ways and people are not speaking different languages?" For her and most of my students it is normal that most people speak at least 2 languages, if not 3 or 4. It's also interesting to see a young child's view about America, as if it is this distant country that has all these THINGS that we don't have in Europe. They ask me often about supplies I have and act in awe when I say it came from AMERICA.

To celebrate the end of the week, Sally and I decided to get out and enjoy apertivo downtown. We tried a new bar called Bar Laura. They had great wine and a good assortment of appetizers. The owner was extra nice and even spoke some English. Afterward we tried out a different restaurant called La Tinera that I've been wanting to try for awhile. The quote of the night was Sally at dinner saying, "I think I could get used to drinking wine out of bowls!" It reminded me of my first night in Lugano eating at a nearby Grotto. We also drank wine out of bowls there. It's amazing how easy it goes down!

Tonight I am staying in, relaxing and watching a movie because we are leaving for Verona early tomorrow morning. It's not far of a drive, but we want to beat the traffic by leaving early. I'll add more pictures when I return on Sunday. Enjoy your weekend!