Lazio ( Roma Fiumicino Airport - Benvenuto in L'Italia )

Benevenuto in L’Italia

The SQ flight landed at Roma Fiumicino airport around 7am. After clearing the immigration and custom check, I was greeted by invisible placards written the words anxiety and apprehension. Finally, I am in Italy and losing the familiarity of seeing signage in English.

I have at least 5 hours to kill as my next connecting coach (Pullman) from Sulga will only arrive around 12.30pm. Firstly, I need to shake off my trolley bag and 50L Deuter Backpaper. I had to ask for directions and approach one of the staff clearing the trolleys. With my basic Italian, I was try to ask for the luggage deposit counters. With some understanding and luck, I finally saw the sign “Bagaglia Deposito” and happily offloaded my heavy luggages.

Now that my burdens were taken off my shoulders, I am free to roam around the airport. Went to the train station and was contemplating if I should take the train. However, I decided to go with Sulga to save the hassle to change at Foligno to connect to Perugia. Next, I decided to make my first purchase in EURO and decided to order a cup of cappuccino. I said “Vorrei un cappuccino” to the cashier and was presented with a receipt to collect it from the waiter. I found a seat near the viewing gallery and see the various airlines arriving and departing. While sipping my drink, I was flipping through a Berlitz phrasebook given to my by an ex colleague from Calyon.

Around 12.15, I was at the parking area for the coaches. I was busy looking out for Sulga but the bus seemed to be delayed. Luckily, I met a Greek lady (Stella) who is also heading for Perugia and was carrying her Italian language book in her hands. Next, came Dora from USA who is also attending the course at the University for Foreigners for the month of July. Stella was on her second trip to Perugia as she had attended the basic courses in Perugia last summer.

During the nearly 4 hours ride, we had small chats amongst ourselves. The bus was almost full with priests, nuns and students onboard. Dora has Italian blood in her and her ancestors were from Pescara, Marche province. She taught some Italian vocabulary like albero ( “tree” ) and caramella ( “candy”).

We had a rest stop at Roma Tiburtina to pick up some more passengers. The weather was beginning to be sweltering hot and the busload was almot full. We felt like we were prisoners of war being deported to some concentration camps in Perugia especially when the air-con didn’t work.

Finally around 4.30pm, we reached Piazza Partigiani, Perugia. WOW, this is the place where I will past my next few months. Stella was greeted by her Greek friends whom she will be staying with during her stay. Dora and I were both holding our maps of our accommodation. With some guidance from the locals, we moved our luggage through the underground escalators via Rocca Paolina. Finally, we saw the bright rays of light ahead and we are in front of Corso Vanucci, one the main and busiest streets in Historical Centre of Perugia. Halfway along Corso Vanucci, Dora branched off to a left lane to Hotel Priori while I walked straight searching for my youth at Via Bontempi. After 2 minutes, I saw the majestic Fontana Maggiore in front of me. The sight is so familiar as I have seen in the many websites featuring Perugia. Have to move on to search for my hostel and I will have countless opportunities to admire the intricacy of the fountain. At Piazza Dante, I bumped into an Argentinian chap ( Matt ) who asked if I am looking for Ostello ( youth hostel ). With hesitation, I shouted OUI instead SI. What a blunder. Matt was indeed helpful to push my luggage and guided me to the Ostello. He had arrived one day before and has registered for 2months course at the University as well. He was my lucky star and soon I didn’t feel alone in this scholastic capital of Umbria province.

After checking into the hostel, Matt and I were exploring the town. The main square was filled with students from various countries. It seemed that the world has indeed become smaller as you begin to hear various languages being spoken. We headed for a lane with numerous steps downwards. Halfway, I chanced upon a Chinese lady whom seemed to exclude a composure that seemed to be from Singapore. Without hesitation, I asked if she was Elaine ( another Singaporean friend who I understand is on the same scholarship ). To our amazement, she is indeed the helpful soul who was responding to my email queries prior to my arrival.

That day, I bumped into her at a restaurant along Arco Etrusco. She was with a few other Singaporean friends and also a group of Indonesian coursemates. I was enjoying their learning experiences for the past 3 months and wondering if mine will be as exciting as well.

As it approached midnight, I accompanied Elaine back to her apartment and then back to the hostel. Fortunately, the security at the hostel was kind enough to wait for me. Without much effort, I soon fell asleep in my room too and looked forward to my second day in Perugia.