There were some weird topics that occurred today. As I normally do every morning at 9am I crawl out of bed, diligently wash my face, comb my hair and put on my clothes, become a designer with my clothes, and finally make my faithful descendant to the main floor for breakfast. After my cup of hot chocolate and eggs with non persevered or chemically altered cheese and fresh bread, I joined my group for a quick survey of our presentation. I was concentrating on the aspect of Slovene-Italians and how they are treated today from the past. Basically these people were screwed over by Italy and now have laws to protect their culture and language since they area minority in Italy. It is important to preserve their source of identity, which is hypocritical of the Italian government who in the 1920’s started Italianissimo, or Italianization. An extreme version of assimilation, the Italian government in Trieste forced the local Slovenes to change their last names to Italian and force them to speak Italian. In a multicultural setting, their language and way of life was all they had to identify themselves as Slovenes, but that categorical distinction was used against to define themselves as Italians, thus losing their true identity and taking up a false one.
I repeated what I said above and we made our slide. During this time the professor came down in his blinding neon green sweater. He said good morning and we all noticed his sore voice. He had caught some “disease” as he put it, and the fact he said disease instead of sickness had me put off for a few seconds. It sounded so horrible.
It was also during this time that the second weird thing happened that day. Apparently the young boys and some of the men in this area have been checking out the girls in our group. The immediate pretty ones anyways, they just don’t know me. Huegette had a run in with them the other day when she was left behind by herself while the rest of us went to Trieste. They had followed her back to the hostel, whistling and saying things to her in Slovene. This it not counting the looks she gets, because she is pretty and dresses up very appropriately. The other day, the people in my group had let in two or three people who were not part of the hostel. Stupid people, why? There was a sign there that clearly stated to not open doors to anyone outside because members would have a key. I swear the common sense of these people are negative below zero. The men came in and started to talk to one of my roommates, Miriam, about how she would work for their “photo shoot” for dating sites on the internet. SHADY!! She managed to trick them into saying she would meet them tomorrow morning and then they left. However earlier this day they came in looking for her and Hugette. When Hugette heard about this later on she was surprised and shocked. How did they know her name?
I said, “From now on, you walk in groups of three.” Before it was mostly two’s for her. I had stayed in a group of three at least for safety measures.
That weirded me out.
On a happier note, I managed to safely get through my presentation that day. We did extremely good, said our professor, compared to last years group. That year those people had stories to tell. I also took a nice stroll and ate a Kabob with Hugette and her group. The Kabob had slices of succulent meat inside, with toppings like a normal hamburger. At first I didn’t want to go into the shop because earlier I had went in and it looked shady to me. Not the Shady Bar or the Cute Bar as the group labeled two places, but this one didn’t look right to me. Beside the dying lettuce I enjoyed the meal. Only 3.50 Euro.
I was thinking of going back to this one shop that has a really nice middle aged man who sells artistic tourist items. The things he has blows my mind away! Everything inside the shop is hand made by him or other people. I went there twice during last weekend and had a hard time deciding what to get. Hugette bought things both times for herself and her big family, like earrings that were dazzling and exotic since she likes to buy those type of items. I managed to restrain myself, saying I had to span out my money. I was tempted to go today, but didn’t in the end. This week is filled with reviews and a test and a presentation Friday before we head out on our eight day bus trip. that’s when I don’t know if I will have internet, so the bloging might die down. Before I head back state side I do plan on going back.
I am tempted to buy a chocolate penis that is situated in the chocolate store here in the square. I kid you not, the chocolate is shaped into a penis. Sooo many things went through my mind and I could only laugh to keep myself in check. Hugette was laughing her butt off as she bought some chocolate as well. The store also has a giant Santa Clause! I plan to go back there.
Today was a nice day in Piran and people were out and about checking out the town, living life. With everyone back the quiet hostel turns into a dorm. Ugh. I loved the quietness, I’m sure the owners did too.
From my stay here I noticed that people smoke a lot. A. LOT. Forget a social norm, more like a second nature to breathing, only thing it kills you faster. Everywhere people are chimneys. And its not bad smoke, like in America, here I can stand by them and not die for about an hour before it starts to kick in and I need to move. Franky would survive…just barely. He he he.
I just noticed that we have a break after this Interim. Huzzah!
After the presentations I grabbed a huge slice of mushroom pizza with hot chocolate to go. Then at the hostel I played WOW for an hour or so, felt accomplished, went out with Hugette and company for the Kabob’s, took a nap, and then finished the night with a little school work and a shower. I love Piran and it loves me, despite the social mental barriers buried in the minds of the people.
I’m getting my money’s worth here.
Traveller’s note: If a person gets sick on their travels, it would be best to have an interpreter with you when you go to get medicine. Being able to speak the language would also benefit. My professor experienced thus said situation today, where he had Duska interpret for him at the pharmacy. It could very well safe you some suffering and getting the wrong prescription.
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