events

Tales from Torino, Part 1

by Laura Fawcett

**O.K., Torino is much prettier than this, but this is what I wake up to.**

(2/7/06) - Curiosity embarrasses the American.

That's at least one thing I've learned since arriving in Torino, Italy, site of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

I could tell you about my trip over � but it turned out to be fairly uneventful � much to the happiness of my husband who could gleefully give me the �I told you so� line after I freaked regularly about traveling abroad alone.

But there are just so many better things to talk about �

I think I managed to do just about everything wrong in the first five hours I was in Italy (Feb. 2). I'm here as part of the U.S. Figure Skating contingent to the Games, acting as one of two press officers for the athletes. Technically, my counterpart (Lindsay DeWall) and I work for the U.S. Olympic Committee while we are here. Our job is basically to facilitate the media interaction between journalists and athletes, finding a way to accommodate both their needs. It's not always an easy task.

The trip actually started out well. Accreditation was a breeze at the airport, and my luggage actually made it. My first mistake was taking three rolling bags. Ever tried to figure out how you will maneuver with three rolling bags? Not easy. So I stumbled past customs only to find out that I wasn't really being picked up by the USOC staff (I left before getting the e-mail explaining that). Transportation volunteers for TOROC (Torino Olympic Organizing Committee) were there to help. Of course they needed the hotel address � uh, yeah, don't have that. Didn't think I needed it � after all I was being picked up right? In hindsight I just feel like a big goofball.

�Hey yeah, I'm staying here, address? You need an address?�

Obviously I'm here, so I got that worked out, but not before having my first experience riding shotgun with an Italian (who spoke no English at all) in the city streets. Here's what I've learned �

It might look like one lane, but if it's wide enough, it's two lanes � or three.
It's not acceptable to be in the right-hand lane at a stoplight if you aren't actually turning right (I'd like this etiquette in the U.S.). Expect maddening beeps from behind you if you do this. And if you need to get out of the way, just drive farther into the intersection so the beeping behind you stops.
Italian drivers can and will park their cars anywhere they fit, and double-parking is the norm.
Be bold � he who hesitates is lost.

**My roommate and I have gotten very close sleeping so near each other.**

(And then there's the hotel. For all who have been to Europe, you know that the average hotel room is half the size, in every respect, from a hotel room in the U.S. But everything else in the hotel seems to be half the size as well. The elevator gives you an Augustus Gloop-type feeling that you'll be squeezed tighter and tighter with every floor you go up until finally � pop ... the door opens and you're staring down a dark hallway straight out of �Poltergeist.� Actually it's not even �Poltergeist,� it's too real for that.

My roommate here is Melissa Scott, director of media relations with U.S. Speedskating. The good news is I get to hear more about Apolo Ohno. The bad news is we're sleeping in two twin beds six inches apart. And we've never met. Nothing like an Italian hotel to help you make new friends.

I gotta tell you though, I'm not complaining � just laughing at it all. I mean, I'm in Italy, at the Olympic Winter Games, covering figure skating. There's no reason to complain about that.

Oh, and the curiosity part? If you see a strange pull cord in the shower and think, �What the heck is that for?� resist the urge to pull it, especially if you're already in the shower.

It's an alarm.

Funny thing is, I found a way to turn it off before anyone in the hotel came to the rescue. I wonder if they saw which room the alarm came from and thought �Ah, another American pulled the cord,� and just left it at that.

At least I knew what a bidet was.

Next up: The athletes arrive!