Conversations with Italian Dogs

And other short stories

So far I haven’t been able to speak tons of Italian. The routine Italian during the day is listening to people on the metro, ordering lunch, errand running, and talking with Rossella (thank goodness for her). Yesterday I finally found the free newspaper stand at my metro, so I should be getting some good reading in now. Other than that, people hear my American accent, then throw in their English. It makes sense really, if I spoke French and heard someone’s thick French accent speaking English, I would just make it easy and speak French.

Luckily there are the occasional conversations with Italian dogs. The other day while relaxing in Piazza Navona, the cutest terrier came by (with his owner in tow). Thus, we had a conversation in Italian. We discussed the day and how he would like to attack the pigeons. It was a lovely time and the owner loved it too. Perhaps I shall start up more of those conversations on my daily walks to the metro and my daily encounters with so many dogs. Romans love dogs.


Kitchen enCounters
Although it does not help my Italian language, my nightly encounter with the kitchen gets me into the Italian spirit. The kitchen is barely big enough for me to turn around in; however, it’s beautiful in its small size and the gas stove makes up for the space it lacks. At first I was afraid to burn down the building, but now I love cooking with the gas stove. How will I ever go back to an electric stove?! The gas stove heats up like no other and really gets things cooking fast. Do I spontaneously want to eat an egg for breakfast? No problem, ready in two minutes.
Mt. Vernon, I would like an upgrade to a gas stove please. Thanks.


Pronunciation Lesson #1
Although I may be speaking English quite a bit, I am learning more and more the pronunciation of Italian. When they speak, their pronunciation is unlike any other. Many of these pronunciation lessons are learned while speaking English. The main one comes from where I work.

It is because I work at EFAD. What?! That is right. EFAD. When I have even said IFAD among coworkers they scrunch up their face in confusion. Even the native English speakers have forgotten their pronunciation of the letter I and have joined the team of EFAD. Thus, there I am as well, pronouncing the letter I like an Italian, eee. Now if I hear anyone say IFAD, all I think is newbie, they don’t even know…


Holiday Mentality
This has been a busy work week and an especially hard work week to work through simply because of the holiday mentality. Monday was Memorial Day, what did I do: work. Wednesday, the Italian celebration of the republic, everyone and their mother is off from work/ school, what did I do: work. Today when I arrived back at the apartment, exhausted and starving, Rossella said hi and then gave me a strange look. Here she thought I had been out enjoying the day off, she didn’t expect to see me in work clothes. Neither did anyone else in this city except for the UN.


The New Baby
It’s funny that it has taken my third work week here for my age to leak out. The realization has caused the past youngest to pass me the torch and mainly for the shock factor to take place. They simply can’t believe how “young” I am. Yesterday one of my friends/coworkers was in shock; she just couldn’t believe I wasn’t 26. It also makes them surprised that I am even here. The previous baby pointed it out as a good thing; it’s impressive to be young and working here. I just hope their shock wears off soon.

Malawi and a Lunch Coma
Sitting in on the PSRs has been great fun to break up the work day. I get to be a simple observer, learn about all the different countries in Southern and Eastern Africa (had to google a few to even see where they exist, Mauritius?, never knew about that country before), and pass the time not sitting at my desk. Ok, simple observer…no work, no problem. Aha. Not. Change the situation to simple observer after lunch and you get one of the hardest things to get through, the Lunch Coma. The Lunch Coma sets in when you just sit there. I find myself nodding off and seeing my pen draw scribbles on my paper. The Lunch Coma is horrible and I just wish I had something to input into the conversation so I would be energized. When I get the opportunity to run and get a financial report it is the best. I get up and run around the office and wake up. Without any runs to go on, the lunch coma and I fight our battle till the end.

The most recent battle was during the Malawi PSR. Luckily I was energized just by the fact that it was Malawi and I knew Kristen would be excited to hear about it. Malawi on the IFAD front is doing well. They mentioned bore holes at one point and it made me smile after hearing about Kristen’s trek to get to one. They have two projects there with a third on the way. They look to improve access for the poor to appropriate technology and services for sustainable natural resource management (irrigation is one issue). Capacity building is a key element with focus being put into figuring out how to work with the different districts. They are working hard…and I beat the lunch coma. Thanks Kristen.

Today’s Caffé
Today I was invited to take a coffee with a lady in my division. On our way down to the bar we had a snowball effect and by the time we sat down with our caffé there were eight of us. I was sandwiched right in the center of the group and proceeded to flip flop between the two conversations. The two conversations managed to be in three languages: French, English, and Italian. I call that talent.


Weather Update
The weather has been enjoyable. The weekend was nice with shorts weather on Sunday. However, the reason I am giving a weather update is because it is COLD right now. It’s night here now, but still…cold. Who knows how this happens. I like it because then I can get under all the covers to sleep, but getting up in the morning is going to be a doozy.


The End
The short stories could go on for years; however, they have to end somewhere. It is 9:15 now and time to get moving about the apartment before its late and time for bed.
Buonanotte!