not just nuns, ITALIAN nuns.

It's been a crazy first week in the convent. First few days at the United Nations - Palais Wilson, where the 53rd Session on the Committee on the Rights of the Child is being held (I sat in on Paraguay and Cameroon). The long-term volunteer returned from her holiday home in Italy andI began work with her and the two Italians girls who live in the area but work here - making the office 4 Italians and me. I'm officially genevois now, because I got my abonnement (monthly bus pass), bought some groceries at Migros, and got a chic Swiss phone number! It's truly been eventful.

The most dramatic of all (though I will absolutely give more detail to the CRC soon) would be the phenomenal clashing of one of the nuns and myself. It may be that she's Italian, it may be that she's a nun while I'm the volunteer she's responsible for (and I'm used to having independence), and it may be that French is my second language and her third.. but we've had our moments. Let me just say.. it's been interesting. On top of just getting used to the house and community, I was having computer problems! We are on good terms and talked things through, but I finally understand what it must be like to have a truly Italian family.

At my training in Texas last summer, I was told that it would be "colorful" and "intimidating" living in a household with all Italian women.. particularly nuns.. and she was right. But it has its perks - I've been trying all the classic Italian pastries, candy and salamis, have espresso every morning and have nutella readily available anywhere in the house. I'm learning SO much Italian. I'd definitely say that I'm learning more Italian that French. I'm pretty sure that Veyrier is actually a canton of Italy and that it just happens to be a short bus ride into Geneva.

One thing I do know is that my Gram is absolutely Italian. She would not only fit in here but would somehow find a way to make it more lively. Though she knows no traditionally "Italian" things, she is an Italian at heart which is all that matters.

Buona notte.