Merengue 101: It's in my nature

Via Deliziosa 12 is pressed between Via Dei Gatti (Street of Cats) and Via Priori (Street of High Ranking Orders). The neighborhood reminds me of a scene from Mary Poppins. It’s the scene where Bert and his fellow chimney sweeps are tap dancing between the sea of old cobblestone houses, leaping from slanted roof to slanted roof and clambering around the city of disfigured quarters.

We (there are 7 of us) live on the 4^th floor in a large and barren apartment that seems to be getting colder by the day. Our hot water doesn’t work, we don’t have a single knife in our kitchen and a lizard lives above my bed. I love it so much.

I have only lived in Perugia for three full days and I already feel as if I am ready to breach beyond the comfort zone that I have set up for myself. I seem to get nervous stepping outside of the streets that I already know and the shops that I’ve visited a few times before. I also feel somewhat tense around the Italians. Please don’t misread what I mean here because I truly find them to be absolutely lovely people. It’s their stress that I worry about—It’s as if one can feel their animosity towards loud, obnoxious Americans. I just don’t want to be stuck in a stereotype.

As for the nightlife, I do have a very interesting story to share. Our very first evening in Perugia was one of completely too many free drinks and much to many free “Merengue dance lessons” on my behalf. Just to specify—I do not know how to dance the Salsa, nor do the Merengue, so you can imagine the hilarity that ensued.

It was certainly one of the best nights I’ve had in a while. Arriving at Merlin’s Pub, only to realize that at 2AM the pub closes, was at first a disappointment, but Chase and I managed to meet some locals who guided us in the right direction--the right direction being Dumos, the underground dungeon-like club that provided us with 4 more hours of fabulous dancing and grooving.

It has been a very overwhelming first few days and nights, but also immensely satisfying. I feel as if I’ve been stuffed to the brim with food but it’s Italian and French food, so I’m very happy to be waddling home with a full belly. But of course, thank goodness for Perugia’s physical layout—the massive hills help burn off the extra calories that one consumed a pranzo.