The Heater Finally Works!

I went on my own for lunch—getting a bite at the “Oil Shoppe”—famous in all guide books for the best “panino” on a budget. I ate half of a giant chicken Parmesan panino and flipped through pages of the restaurant’s guest book. From all over the world, students had written of their devotion to the Shoppe and its welcoming owner. I even saw a familiar “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk” and instantly felt at home.

We did our first Art and Architecture class today, where the followed Madeline (our instructor) around the Duomo and the city’s main cathedral and baptistery.

I’ve referenced the Duomo numerous times before as our typical meeting place for the group. In my slide show pictures you will see many shots of this location in passing. But having had a lesson on its history, it means so much more.

After classes finished we headed back to the apartment in anticipation for the plumber, who promises to fix our frozen radiator. Someone promptly buzzes our door at 5. We look out the window to see three typical Italian men waiting…but for us foreigners, we instantly think them as “sketchy.” I get my phrase book to find the word for plumber and can’t find one. So instead I stick my head out the window and pantomime “plumber actions” and ask in loud, stupid English if they are the people we need. They say yes…. but we say no; too suspicious. A room full of young foreign girls with three older men—no bueno.

We ignore their constant buzzing and finally hear men outside our door.

It was our landlord and the plumber…the three men downstairs. Now I just feel stupid. And let me tell you—if there could have been an Italian version of Mr. Bean, it was my landlord. All the makings of a goofy, doping Mr. Bean, with the extra bit of Italian flavor mixed in. It was quite amusing. He even had a clunky walk like Mr. Bean. Anyway, the heater is now working, and I am ten times happier.

Things are about to get a lot better!