Ciao!

Ciao!!
So its been a few days since i've written, i've been quite busy!
So...We navigated the train station in Milan with slightly higher confidence then before. We printed/paid for our ticket at a electronic ticket booth in the Stazione Centrale, then grabbed a cappuccino, checked outta our hotel, and headed to the station. We finally figured out what platform we were on, then once again entertained the locals as we attempted to drag our numerous pieces of luggage onto the last car of the train. The trip lasted about 3 1/2 hours, moving through many other cities. We arrived in Pesaro and met the rest of the Si Parla, Si Canta group. We took the hour and a half bus ride to Urbania, and witnessed some of the most beautiful country side i've ever seen!
Finally we get to Urbania. As we get off the bus we are paired up with the people who will house us during our stay. A very handsome Italian guy (Andrea..Andrew for Americans) comes up to me and my room-mates (3 other girls from my school; Kassie, Bonnie, and Megan), and takes us to his families complex where our apartment is. He tries talking to me since i happen to be in the front seat but to no avail...i just smile and nod my head; i don't understand a word, haha. The complex is beautiful and we are loving it. It is split up into two different houses with a courtyard in the middle. We live by ourselves on the top floor of one of the houses. Its perfect. There's a breezy sitting room leading into a cute kitchen which contains a washer (Hallelujah!!), and also a nice bathroom and two bedrooms. The stove has to be lit by matches, there's no air-conditioning, and the shower is not always hot..but who cares! Adrew's grandparents live under us and some other students are doing home-stays with the other members of the family within the complex. They took so many of us in! The Nona and Nono (grandma/pa) are precious. The first time nona (Elenor) met me she through up her hand and was like "AHHH!! Che bella!", i love her.
Later that evening we all went to dinner at La Loggia, and it was SO delicious! 5 courses of YUM...and lots of free wine. (=
We all got to know each other and it was good clean fun.
On Sunday we had orientation. We toured the city, went grocery shopping, and got our schedules. Today, Monday, we were placed in our class, im in beginner...duh! The class was great, i can tell i'll learn alot. We also had a italian diction class with Bob Cowart, who's been the diction coach at The Met (a famous opera house in NYC, for those who haven't heard of it) for around 28 years!! Well, needless to say, he was full of brilliance. Later today i'll do a coaching on one of my scenes (the Romeo and Juliet duet), and around 9 a welcome party!!
Im having fun! Arrivederci!!
love,
Maren