Originally Posted by dina1965 (Post 8544031)

I know how you feel. I spent my first year here in Rome by myself. My few work colleagues were all married and Italian. The thing that "saved" me was joining a local gym. Not only did I have somewhere to go, an apparent reason to be there, I also met lots of girls my age (italian and non). Coffee after class soon progressed to pizzas-shopping-going out together. Sightseeing alone or sitting in the local bar with a capuccino and a book by myself just made me self conscious.

Originally Posted by LivingInPuglia (Post 8544441)

don't be lonely - there are plenty of nice expats in the area. We are close to Torchiarolo, about 20km from Lecce. We're older than you but friendly I promise. Next time we are going to Lecce I'll pm you and maybe we can meet for coffee. When are your free times.

You could also try pugliachat.co.uk as it is dedicated to Puglia and you might meet some english speaking people who can help you settle in.

Stick at it, it does get easier. We've been here nearly 5 years and in our small town of Torchiarolo, the locals probably know more about us than we do. There are not too many english here and we stick out like sore thumbs. But there interest is well intentioned and they are very kind helpful people.

Originally Posted by TestaRossa (Post 8543758)

Oh dear, seriously, my heart goes out to you! Girls can be such bitches! Sounds like your original friend doesn't want you there with the boys, may decrease her chances! :p Assume she sees you as competition for the boys and give your confidence a boost! Especially if you have made it plain you aren't interested in them! If I was there I'd slap them for you and tell them to stop being so silly!! Take it as a bizarre compliment and find a place you like to drop into on your own. Bars here are a lot friendlier than the UK and going into them as a lone female isn't the same. Take a book or mag and settle in for the evening - I'm guessing you will be working most days au pairing. As long as you have any kind of drink in front of you you won't be kicked out. Weigh the people up and try out your Italian on those who look friendly. See this as a challenge, a good one. :)

Don't worry about the stares. They are just curious, plus unless you have two heads or dress outrageously, which can vary from place to place here I admit, it is probably curiosity rather than nastiness. Most Italians aren't nasty, but they are nosey! If you want to fit in pick up a few useful phrases, check out the thread here, and work out the dress code for your area, then you will start to merge into your surroundings more until you have gained a bit of confidence. It will come - think what it took to get here in the first place! ;)

Originally Posted by LivingInPuglia (Post 8546332)

Next time we are going to be in Lecce on Monday I'll let you know. We have tons of english books and will bring you some, what do you like to read.

You can get english books in the bookshop in the centro storico, walk up from the duomo towards the piazza and there is a big bookshop on the right.

Originally Posted by twiggy_fife (Post 8548839)

Hello!

Awww you are a star! I honestly will read anything! I have a mini library at home with over 200 books and I miss it sooooo much! I just got told yesterday about the book shop near the piazza that sells English books so going to take a trip there today :D Went for a wander yesterday to find a Western Union to transfer money to my Scottish bank account and found a man that runs a bar who speaks perfect English. Was so embarassing though as I had my phrasebook out and was trying to ask if I could use the toilet in Italian, and he said "yeah sure, its just through there to your right" Beamer time! x