Phone Home

Today was a big day. It was the day I had to speak to someone in Italian for the very first time; someone who does not speak any English. I was terrified.

Right now Stephen is in Assisi taking language classes. He’s in a hotel where he does not have a direct phone line and where the staff does not speak English. In order to talk to him, I need to ask the switchboard operator to connect me to his room. I had the sentence written down because I haven’t memorized it yet: Voglio parlare con Stephen. The person answered, saying, “Buona notte.” I understood that – good night. I repeated it back and then went into my one sentence, asking to speak to Steve.

So far everything was going fine. But then the man said something back to me. I have no idea what he said. He could have said Steve wasn’t there or I had the wrong number or Assisi exploded. I stammered. He said something else and then I heard music so I knew I was on hold. A few minutes later, Steve answered.

I really need to start learning more Italian. I’m working on it but apparently 1 hour a day isn’t going to cut it.