Speechless

I am about a week behind in posts, but it has taken me until today to figure out the best place and time to use the internet here. Unlike the US, internet access here does not abound! And that my friends is the first of many things I have learned so far in even just the few short days I have been here.
But first things first, Italy is beautiful! The sights here literally take my breath away! I haven't been taking near enough pictures I'm sure, but even so, I'm not sure that the pictures would do it any justice! I walk through the old street and by all the old buildings everyday and I literally have to pinch myself that I live here! I can't think of a place that I would rather be than this quiant little city.
My apartment is cute! There are six of us girls who live there and I have managed to get a single in my apartment. (my street sign is pictured) As of now I think that it's a good thing, but I just hope that it won't keep me from getting to know my roomates. But they all seem fabulous so far. Our landlord can be a little stressful, but alot of the things that she is concerned about seem legitamate and are maybe just a slight difference in culture. Which is also one of the most difficult things here; just getting around attempting to speak to locals. Thankfully my Italian classes are starting to pay off and I can understand at least one half of the conversation, though I may not be able to respond!
Perugia is a university town so there are many many students around my age here. It is interesting to see how people of similar age act and spend time with their friends. La fontana, or fountain (as I'm sure most of you could tell) is the main meeting place here. For American students as weel as many more Italian and international students. People sit on the steps that surround la fontana at all hours of the day talking, eating, laughing, and yes even drinking a bottle of wine, in public! It is amazing the customs that are different here. There are always people on the streets and everyone is very affectionate. I think that they say that Paris is the city that never sleeps, well let me tell you, Perugia gives it a run for its money. There is never an asbsence of noise outside, even at the wee hours in the morning. And those hours, from about 11-sunrise you can find the steps teeming with people, probably the most traffic they get all day!
As this is my first official post feel like I have so much to tell you all! But unfortunately, the internet cafe that I am currently holed up in will not stay open all night! So for now all I can think to say is, I love Italy, and I think that coming here might just be the best decision I've ever made. And a friend before I left asked me if I nervous or excited about coming here, at the time I said both. They told me that I had to pick one and I couldn't. Well I can now officially say that I am registering a great big EXCITED on my own personal radar and I wouldn't have it any other way! Ciao tutti!!!