LEARN ITALIAN

(vintage entry from July, 2005)

I find nothing more difficult at this time in my life than learning a new language.  But mental challenge is good, no?  So I believe my first-time, crash attempt at Italian created quite a few new ganglions and dendrites -- if not a whole new lobe or two. 

Because it is that difficult.

How sad that the multiple bottles of vino and grappa wiped out all these new brain cells in just a few long Italian lunchtimes.

Sue and I both took on the challenge but when we got to Italy, the duties became clearly delineated. I was responsible for vocabulary while Sue took charge of the universal language of smiling and gesturing. It worked well (except for that near disastrous bus ride to the airport). The highlight of success was when I had to ask a non English speaking Italian on the train if I could borrow his phone, explaining that my phone was not working properly due to the lying bastardi at Cingular.  Successo !

Sue posed for this picture as we waited in Grenoble, France, for our train to Milano.