My Italian is like Texas hair; just a little over the top

I am leaving on the 28th of April for a one-and-a-half-month stay in Europe. I will be in Italy for a month, studying fabulous art history. And when my program ends my best gal-pal is meeting me in Venice to discover Spain and Greece. Excitement level= High! But I am also really nervous; I'm afraid I won't fit in.  I want to look like a local, with my name, hair and a little time tanning I think I'll have the look but now I'm working on my accent. A good friend of mine passed along a CD that she found in her chick-fii-a kids meal that teaches you Italian. Seriously! how awesome is that, why hasn't McDonald or other Fatso-Burger places gotten the memo on giving out educational items, instead of sugary trachea blockers for toys!? (that rant is for another time) But this CD is great, it has a bunch of helpful phrases that a visitor to the county could need, such as "help, I need medical assistance" or "can I meet your friend", "what's her phone number". You know, little phrases you could use if you find your self on a pinch, or need to make some side money.  But I am realizing now that my Italian may be just a wee-bit over the top. Well, honestly I sound like Luigi's older whinier mother. I have this CD playing on a loop in my car. So here I am driving down the street each morning around town yelling Italian phrases and gesturing like I leading a choir.  So far I think I'm doing rather well.