Buongiorno!

Nine days is not long enough to master a language. After a week of listening to the "15 minute Italian" CD in my car, I've decided to give up the pursuit of learning fluent Italian before my trip. Now other things must take priority; like packing, for instance.

At the same time, I feel well served by my 15 minute Italian exercises. After all, I can now say the following things in Italian:

• I would like two ice creams, please.
• I would like two beers, please.
• I would like two wines, please

(Incidentally, there are two of us traveling together, that's why I'm ordering a pair of everything. Then again, I'm sure I could eat both ice creams... So let's add "I would like four ice creams, please" to the list.)

• I would like two tickets to Napoli, please. (No, we are not going to Napoli, but that's the sentence I've been practicing all week. Perhaps I'd better learn to say "Venice.")
• Thank you

I can also say a variety of food items, including "fruits," "vegetables," "nuts," "seafood," and, of all things, "broccoli."

I find that I'm very polite in Italian.

I'm also realizing that there are still two important phrases I should learn before Wednesday:

• Excuse me, where are the restrooms? And..
• Tennis, anyone?

Don't all language courses start with those two?

I do hope to blog from Italy...we'll see how that goes. But check here for news from Roma, Venice (two tickets to Venezia, please) and the Dolomites!