So! Although I've been in Genoa for 4 days already, I only just shook of my jet-lag today. Finally!
That said, I have to talk about my experience getting into the building. On Monday and Tuesday, I was with my coworker from the U.S., but still needed my own badge to enter and exit the building. The guest badge I got from the security guy at the entrance did not work on the first day. After getting a badge, I would walk about 200 meters or so to the entrance of the offices only to find out that the badge wasn't letting me in.
Here's how it kinda went after I walked back into the lobby after a failed attempt:
Ani: The badge is not working.
Security: Non funzione?
Ani: No, non funzione.
Security: (motioning me to hand him the badge thru the glass window, asking me how long I'm planning to visit)
Ani: Non capisco...
Security: (taking out the calendar, showing me today's date, and then slowly repeating the question)
Ani: Ah, nove de maggio (may 9th).
Security: (tries to give me a badge that will work for the duration of my stay).
So I take the badge, and walk back to the entrance of the office, only to not be able to enter again.
So we repeat the whole thing yet again... About three times I walked back and forth both Monday and Tuesday, only to end up following someone into the building.
Today my U.S. coworker left, so I went to the office by myself. The security guard, knowing my routine, asked to see my badge, and we started the whole thing again. He thought this time maybe he fixed it, so I went on my way.
But not before I told him "a presto!" Which means "see you soon" which made him and the other guards laugh...
I get to the entrance of the office, telling myself "it's gonna work, it's gonna work..." And.... IT DOESN'T! So I gave a loud whisper of F@*k... Which I immediately wish I hadn't since a guy who works in the same office and knew I was having badge problems from the day before was behind me and I think may have heard me cause he laughed... Or maybe he didn't hear me, I'm not sure... Still...
So I walk back... Can't stop smiling to myself... So frustrating... As I'm walking back, the security guy is walking towards me...
He: Non funzione?
Me: Non funzione!
He: Funzione per tutti! Per ti, non funzione!!! Fotocamera si vede, si dice "Ah, non va bene!!!" (OK, I can't remember how he said it so I used google-translate to put this together, but basically he said "It works for everyone in the company, but for you it doesn't work. The video camera sees you and says 'not okay'")
Again I had to follow someone in... But today by lunch time the badge worked. Tomorrow is another day.
I should find out the name of my security guard... Behind the glass window, he's always yelling at me while asking me questions... I'm not deaf... I just don't understand the language!!! So I find myself yelling back "Si!!! No!!! Non capisco!!!"
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Genova, Italy - First day: Sunday
Woke up early this morning and had breakfast with my co-worker Shaila. She's been here a week already and is already sick of cheese and bread and pizza. But since I hadn't had dinner, I over-ate, as always...
So with map in hand, Shaila and I ventured out. It was wet out, but nothing bad... just a bit sprinkly. We took the bus to Piazza Aquaverde and from there on we continued walking along Via Alpini D'Italia, the port with all the boats and street vendors.
All in all, we walked for about 5 hours... By the time we got back to the hotel, we were completely soaked and really tired. It was an adventure to try to ask for directions... After a while I would stop asking people if they spoke English, and just mention the name of the place we were trying to get to, and try to pick up a word here and there to get what they were saying. We're so lucky that Italians speak with their hands... Makes understanding directions so much easier.
At the hotel lobby, we tried to find out where we can go to do some sight-seeing. People had warned me about how the Italians don't really speak English. So so true!!! Finally one guy at the reception area, Enrico, who happenned to have gone to school in San Francisco gave us some good directions and good advice.
So with map in hand, Shaila and I ventured out. It was wet out, but nothing bad... just a bit sprinkly. We took the bus to Piazza Aquaverde and from there on we continued walking along Via Alpini D'Italia, the port with all the boats and street vendors.
We ventured more inland and got to see some lovely buildings and fountains...
I believe this is at Piazza De Ferrari...
My first meal outside of the hotel was at a Turkish kebab place, of all places, where both Shaila and I had the falafel wraps, although the meat looked really good! It started raining much heavier to the point where Shaila bought an umbrella and me in my refusal to use an umbrella 90% of the time (makes me feel clustrophobic) got soaked and my converses had so much water in them that I may as well have had walked bare-feet... and I would have, if it wasn't for all the trash and other unmentionable things on the roads...
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Genova, Italy - Arrival
April 25, 2009
5:45PM Local time
Munich, Germany
At the airport right now... I have another almost 3 hours before I get on my connecting flight to Genoa, Italy. The flight from SFO to Munich was pretty uneventful. By the time I got to SFO and checked in the bags, I was feeling really tired and sleepy. I think the anxiety of the week got to me eventually and almost as soon as I got on the plane, I started sleeping. Tried to watch "The Duchess" but it only helped me fall asleep sooner. Thankfully I was able wake up each time they served the food and drinks. In such small areas, the smell of food can really wake you up. I had forgotten that I had ordered the vegetarian meal. I had never gotten my food before everyone else before, which was a treat. The yumminess of the food itself is yet another story. I'd never had eggplant, zucchini and spinach for breakfast before. I guess they go vegan when you order vegetarian.
This is my first time traveling with my American passport and I must say it feels good.
I wish I had free wireless connection or a cell phone that worked, but I'll just have to wait until I get to the hotel. I will land in Genoa at 10:40PM, God willing safe and sound.
I miss my pups but I know Ingrid will take good care of them. I hope it doesn't become too overwhelming for her. I'm nervous about work, too. I hope I do a good job and not let my manager or myself down.
April 26, 2009
12:11AM Local time
Genoa, Italy
From Munich, I got on the smallest plane I’ve ever been on, and after an hour and a half, was in Genoa. It was so easy to get thru the airport and then walked straight across to the Sheraton. First thing I visited Shaila. I’m having issues with the internet, though. After spending 5 Euros, I didn’t get to do anything I wanted to. Oh well… I should go to bed now. Looking forward to breakfast!
5:45PM Local time
Munich, Germany
At the airport right now... I have another almost 3 hours before I get on my connecting flight to Genoa, Italy. The flight from SFO to Munich was pretty uneventful. By the time I got to SFO and checked in the bags, I was feeling really tired and sleepy. I think the anxiety of the week got to me eventually and almost as soon as I got on the plane, I started sleeping. Tried to watch "The Duchess" but it only helped me fall asleep sooner. Thankfully I was able wake up each time they served the food and drinks. In such small areas, the smell of food can really wake you up. I had forgotten that I had ordered the vegetarian meal. I had never gotten my food before everyone else before, which was a treat. The yumminess of the food itself is yet another story. I'd never had eggplant, zucchini and spinach for breakfast before. I guess they go vegan when you order vegetarian.
This is my first time traveling with my American passport and I must say it feels good.
I wish I had free wireless connection or a cell phone that worked, but I'll just have to wait until I get to the hotel. I will land in Genoa at 10:40PM, God willing safe and sound.
I miss my pups but I know Ingrid will take good care of them. I hope it doesn't become too overwhelming for her. I'm nervous about work, too. I hope I do a good job and not let my manager or myself down.
April 26, 2009
12:11AM Local time
Genoa, Italy
From Munich, I got on the smallest plane I’ve ever been on, and after an hour and a half, was in Genoa. It was so easy to get thru the airport and then walked straight across to the Sheraton. First thing I visited Shaila. I’m having issues with the internet, though. After spending 5 Euros, I didn’t get to do anything I wanted to. Oh well… I should go to bed now. Looking forward to breakfast!
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