This American girl walks into a bar…

• By Johanna Nuding+
• Posted in Change, Italy, Travel
• On July 9, 2012
• 6 Comments.

I’m sitting in a bar as I write this post. A bar here is different from back home; it’s more of a cafe. It’s pronounced the same and there’s the same interesting characters hanging around, but this one’s got more going on and opens way earlier. I’m posted up at the only bistro table indoors (the rest of the seating is outside, under the arcarde). This place has air-conditioning and I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to bask in it. The glorious cool breeze of the A/C makes this cappuccino and croissant con crema even more delightful. *sigh*

This particular bar is also a tabaccheria. Within 600sf you can buy a pack of smokes and your monthly bus pass, purchase a last minute birthday gift and greeting card, sip a cup of joe and chase it with a shot of whiskey, grab a quick pastry or snack and a pack of gum, then gamble away whatever euros you’ve got left before you head home.

It’s one-stop-shopping for every vice. (Well almost every vice…I don’t see condoms, but I feel sure they’re here somewhere.)

Speaking of, there are condom vending machines everywhere in Bologna. And in really odd, busy places. I saw one outside a paninoteca (a specialty sandwich shop). I guess if you’re about to have sex you really don’t care who sees you buying condoms. And, you’ll likely work up an appetite if you’re doing it right so you might as well grab a sammy on your way. Now that I think about it…that’s an exceptional location for a rubber machine. Personally, I’d be embarrassed to buy condoms from a public vending machine, but I guess it’s a fair trade. Because, seriously, if a guy is willing to stand in the middle of a busy shopping area full of people and buy condoms then he REALLY wants to have sex with you. And, at least you and everybody within eye shot will know that he plays it safe. Side note: The most interesting part of the rubber vending machines is that they’re all over a Catholic-dominated city that doesn’t believe in birth control. Now that’s progressive. Bravo, Bologna!

And, speaking of progress, Bologna is a city full of college students and young professionals. It reminds me a lot of Austin. I’ve had some very interesting discussions with people about the sustainable food movement, community involvement, activism, music, social media, etc. People are very intrigued about our (American) feelings toward Obama as well as the Occupy Movement. I’ve been lucky to find myself engaged with very bright minds and I’m enjoying the conversation!

And, speaking of conversation, I’ve been studying my Italian every day so I can get involved in ITALIAN conversations. My friend Consuelo takes a big test tomorrow (she’s going to do great!!!) and then she and I are going to start doing some real-world activities and help each other with our language skills. (The pool, shopping, lunch, museum, etc.) I’m excited to have an “Italian tutor” who is also interested in working on her English. It’s so much better than practicing alone. There’s such a beautiful cadence to the way Italians speak. It sounds like every word out of their mouths is musica. When I’m out alone, listening to strangers speaking, I close my eyes and it sounds like they’re singing to one another. Bellisimo!

It really is a game-changer to be dropped into a new life and environment with a complete language barrier. I’m not sure what I was thinking when I decided to do this; I was definitely ill-prepared, but this is the journey I’ve chosen. So, as you all know I like to say, “Do it or don’t…but do!” (Farlo o non farlo…ma fare!)

Challenge!!! After my birthday on July 28th, a few of my friends have vowed to keep the conversation in Italian to force me to get with the program. So, how about you send JoJo a little bit of mojo. I could use it. Forms of accepted currency: positive thoughts, prayers, divine mother hugs, visualizations, Skype IM’s or video calls, emails, text messages and various forms of social media outreach. ;)

And thank you for all of the positive feedback so far on my travel blog. As I write about my experiences for you, it’s a wonderful way for me to really digest everything that’s happening. So you keep lettura and I’ll keep scrittura.

Ciao!

P.S. I’ll post photos from my weekend later tonight or tomorrow. xo