Day 3: Mandatory Fun Hours

Sadly, I don't have any pictures for today because I spent it all here on base. We woke up bright (haha) and early and met up at the pool at 7:45. We sat around for a while going over chem testing, the pool manual, the rotation procedures, as well as typical pool duties that just need to get done in general. We ended up not doing our skills scenario bc the people never called, but I don't know if my relief is a good sign or a bad sign. I'm glad we were took the time to prepare for a "scenario" but in general it just makes me really nervous. Then we ate at the bowling alley, which was seriously the best pulled pork sandwich I've had in a while. (Yeah... at a bowling alley). Then we visited the shopette and picked up some random items for our "bbq". Taylor and I's room is looking pretty bleak, so we were getting desperate for decorations and I almost bought a cute little fish pinata. We had a few more briefings thrown in there and then tonight we were surprised with the first of many "Mandatory Fun Nights". Which are pretty much a mix of games, icebreakers, camp a songs, bonding,  junk food, and competition. Just as we were getting ready for our bbq, the rain decided to remind me that life is not so different in Italy from how it is in Oregon. Megan cooked hot dogs on the grill (aka the microwave) and we had a potluck of oreos, reduced fat oreos, zebra cakes, chips, salsa, and m&ms. Pretttty classy. Groups 1 and 2 battled it out for the first night of "house points" ...think Harry Potter style... and I'm getting even more excited about this summer and my team. Tomorrow will be one full day of learning about Italian culture and going to the post office and commissary! Hopefully Taylor and I can gather a few things to beautify our room and make it feel more like home. Italia flags are on our shopping list, so I'm crossing my fingers that we'll find some in Pordenone on Friday.

Day 2: P.2

As can be seen with the photos below, today was quite an adventurous day. It started out with a lot of paperwork in the local cafeteria, where we met Sylvia- our pool manager- and Randy-her boss. After breakfast, the half of group 2 that had arrived (my group) went with our director and turned in some more paperwork to the Red Cross. After that, we checked out the base thrift store ans a few people picked up DVDs and Italian-to-English dictionaries. Then Sylvia took us out to the Aviano market where I picked up an awesome Italia shirt for 5 Euro (!!!) as well as some awesome souvenirs for my roomies back in the states. Then we sat down in a cafe and Sylvia bought us some amazing pastries. Apparently Italians like their pastries soaked in liquor--not something any of us were expecting. After the market, we went back onto base and ate at the cafeteria yet again. Everyone on base so far is really nice, random military people will see our Camp A uniforms and ask where we're from, how we're enjoying Aviano, etc. After lunch the 2nd part of our group had gotten to base so we went together to get checkout sheets for our dorm rooms. As my roommate unpacked, I brushed up on my reading and then we all walked to the other side of the base to the pool. In the pouring rain. Tomorrow we've got some kind of scenario skills test thing so we had to prep. Then we went to the ITT, which is the place on base that facilitates trips to places out and around western Europe for reduced rates. There are a few really awesome things coming up, but working out traveling with our complicated schedules is kind of overwhelming at this point. Most of the people here have 1-3 things that they *HAVE* to do while they are here in Italy, but really I'm down for traveling wherever. This Friday is our Bienvenuti tour and a group on base takes us out and teaches us how to haggle and do other fun Italian things. Then Saturday is our first day of work. For dinner tonight we went to this place called The Western House because they offer a special deal from 5-7 where you can pay for a 8 euro meal with 8 dollars, a 7 euro meal for 7 dollars, and so on. The restaurante was decorated with "vintage" photos of American Indians and John Wayne, as well as random US license plates. While waiting for our food we were served a basket of bread wiht a bowl of mozzarella cheese, and while I never would have eaten bread with dry shredded cheese, it wasn't too bad. For dessert we got gelato, of course, and I'm pretty sure that 1Euro banana gelato trips are going to be the end of me. Tomorrow is more swimming and probably more boreientation.

Day 2: "Boreientation"

(excuse the awkward self-portrait, but this is the result of me discreetly taking a pic of my wonderful new Italia shirt while I was in a room with 8 other people)

Day 1: Pictures P.2

Day 1: Arriving in Aviano!

At last, I'm here in Aviano. Flights went well, with only an hour of delay in Atlanta after our 4-hour layover. When we got to Italy, we were picked up by our director and a couple other girls that we work with. Since we flew into Venice, there was an hour and a half drive out to the base. Once here we got our military "IDs" which are actually just pieces of paper with our names saying that we have "clearance". Then we went to the PX and Commissary which are the equivalent of Walmart and a grocery store. Getting a cell phone was a slightly complicated process. The woman working the little shop would switch between talking to us in Italian and English, and eventually she just handed me a box and a tiny little Alcatel phone. I get free incoming text messages, so let me know if you want the number! Then we came back to the dorms and since we've just been getting settled. Right now its almost 8 am in Portland and I think its around 5 here...? Time is a confusing thing right now. Tonight I think we're planning on going to some pub to watch the Italia World Cup game, which should be pretty fun. Here are the few pictures I've taken so far...