Apartment

Today dad and I woke up, ate breakfast, and called a taxi to take us to the university where orientation was beginning. Its a marathon event - all the way from the 28th through the 4th - and we were there with a small pack of other people filling out forms, getting IDs, getting permesso di siggornos, etc. I managed to have all of my documents with me and do everything pretty quickly, so there were no problems. Then, we got our housing contract and keys and went over to the new apartment! Ive waited months for this moment and was hoping that some roommates were already there or coming shortly. We came to the door and there was an Italian woman there with her daughter who own the place and are renting it to the university, which is renting it to me. She showed us some things, including many things that dont work and so forth. Living there is like living a few decades back in the US. The stove requires a lighter and only has two working burners, the dishwasher doesnt work at all, theres a bath tub but no shower, and the oven requires a lighter, also. Its very different and it feels like a small Italian apartmnent. Also, despite the small size, its bigger than I thought. Needless to say, no roommates ever showed today, so the other two should arrive tomorrow. I dont have any information on them yet but I am eager to meet them and have some friends. At each step in the journey from Lucca to classes, I think that the next one will make it easier, but at each step, I have felt basically the same way. Im learning new things but Im struggling and I hope that really, I do feel more excited and more connected here soon. Tomorrow is a new day!