Today was my first experience in an Italian post office. The Umbra Institute staff posted some directions to give us some idea of what to expect. Therefore, I was prepared to wait, of course! All I needed to do was send some paperwork to Babson (waivers and such) – although I’m not sure why we (the students studying abroad) weren’t notified before departing to a foreign country where postage costs at least 4 times as much (I paid 3.50 euros). But anyway, I was immediately lost as to what I should do since the directions weren’t all-encompassing (it turns out I didn’t enter through the main door but instead a side door – the building is large). Luckily my roommate Gabby was there with me to help!

First, you need to buy the envelope or packaging in a separate store (in the same building) which was actually very nice and not so hectic. Then, you need to take a number (you receive a ticket by pressing a button) when you enter the main mailing area. I didn’t realize there would be three tickets to choose from… Therefore I asked a nice elderly woman which button to press to get a ticket to mail a letter. My Italian skills at this point completely fell apart and I found myself playing charades. Quite quickly she understood my predicament and she was a woman who got things done! She took my arm and went over to a booth, asking the worker which ticket to get, and luckily I had the right kind. Nice person #1 at the post office!

A half hour of waiting later, a nice young Italian named Micki (short for Michelangelo) approached me in Italian asking if I wanted to buy a phone service that involves paying for mail by phone or online. I said no thanks and he asked if I spoke English. Gabby and I then started to talk with him in English to practice his English skills – which were already much better than our Italian skills – because he wants to be a steward for RyanAir (they can only speak in English when training). After 5 or so minutes he went back to work – but I had met nice person #2 at the post office! When it was finally my turn, I practically ran to the booth to not miss my turn, which lasted all of 1 minute.

I suppose the post office experience is what you make of it. You can wait on your own for what seems like forever, or you can meet new friends in a welcoming fluorescent lit, crowded space!