I am very motivated to attend an Environmental Education event next weekend in a town nearby. I think I will learn a lot and make some good contacts. Networking!
http://www.mediterre.it/2008/en/
I have been studying up on all the Italian vocabulary words associated with my conservation work of the past years. After working so many educational booths at events I am a regular documentary on the topics of ancient forests and salmon. I pitched my schpeel to over 1000 people at the last Earthdance in the EPIC/SRF booth. I have done a hundred of these events too.
I can do the whole educational pitch in Italian now so I tried it out for the teacher and students in my mosaic class yesterday. They were very interested and seemed to get excited by my informative presentation. They asked a lot of questions and I was able to answer most of them. I wrote down all the words I could not grasp easily and I am studying up on them. The event is free and I am looking for (a cheap or free) place to stay and a ride over so that I can attend the event. Here's a few terms you may need to know lol lol. Azione diretto (direct action) incartennersia (lockdown), udienza corte (court hearings), globale caldo (global warming), corporazione parlamo bugia (corporations tell lies). I think I am ready.
"il mio lavoro è tutela dell'ambiente. La forests antico e discomparare troppo rapido. Le specie in via d'estinzione. Le salmone bisogno corso d'acqua c'e chiaro e freddo. Noi abbiamo farò restaurazione ora!
Get it? I'll bet you do!
Non Compromesso in Difesa la Terramadre!
Prima La Terra! (fist goes up!)
(Darryl, I need a t-shirt)
I had my first experience with the Italian Postal Service today and I wish I did not ever have to do it again, but I will have to go back tomorrow!
My friend and guardian angel Enzo sent me a laptop by express post on Monday. He said it was supposed to arrive Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. It did not arrive and today (friday I went to the post office to see if they had it there for me. I stood in line for 40 minutes with 6 people in front of me. When it was my turn I approached the man behind the counter. It went like this.
Forse parla englese un po? por favore. (perhaps you speak a little english please?) He said... "a little. Write it down please." and pushed a paper and pen at me. I wrote:
My friend in Bari sent a package to me by express post on Monday. It has been 5 days now and it has not arrived. Could you please check to see if it is here?
He says asks in Italian. " you have a friend in Bari? I say "yes". " he sent you a package when?" I say in Italian. "on Monday". He says " there are two ways to send a package, how did he send it?". I say " by express post". He says "when did he send it?"... I say "Monday." He asks "it was a package?" I says "yes." He asks again. What method did he send it?" . I say ""express post and it has been 5 days now". He says "write down the name and address on the package". I did that and gave him the paper. He asks again "what day did he send it?." people are starting to snicker now. I say "LUNADI" a little louder in case he is hard of hearing. People start laughing now. He asks again... What method did he send it. The man in line behind me says "by EXPRESS POST!" very loudly! Then he asks" what kind of package?" I say "A laptop". Then he says... what is Laptop?" Two men from the line step up and start an animated argument with the man behind the counter. They explained to him, in detail, everything I had said. They went round and round. After several minutes I interupt the argument and I asked "would you just check to see if it is here, please?". This whole scene went on for 10-15 minutes and the post office was closing for lunch. He finally says I just dont understand. Everyone behind the counter was heartily laughing now. "OK!" I said "I WILL RETURN TOMORROW!" and left. Sheeesh!
Seems like my education here has not just been about Italian language and culture (services, art, cooking, history) it has also been about love, separation, spirit and facing fears as well. I am looking forward to learning about the Italian methods of conservation and restoration now too!
My mosaic piece "Il Sole Italiano" or "The Italian Sun" is coming along well and people are very impressed. Everyone is taking pictures of it in it's evolutions and my teacher is calling me a" Maestro" already. hehehehe She has not had to give me any help. Oh and the materials are not ceramic tile as I had thought! They are tiny pieces of cut and polished stone! I will post some pictures of it soon.
I'm starting to get responses for meeting my financial needs, so if you can send something... please do.
Thank you!
Amore, Amore, Love, Love. A piu tardi. (see you later)
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