Buon Giorno, Tutti!
Today was such a great experience for the group that I had to share it with you!
After class today, we hustled (actually, the kids ran, and I tried to keep up) to catch the bus to San Gimignano for an afternoon of touristy behavior. San Gimignano has a few important attractions:
1. The Duomo of the city - contains frescoes of the old and new Testaments of the Holy Bible. Also contains the burial location of the patron saint of the city, Santa Fina. She's actually an ideal saint to know for our group. At the age of 10, a serious sickness overtook her body causing her to become paralyzed, and, rather than being bed-set, she preferred to lie on an oak table. Eventually, her body actually grew into the oak table, and, after 5 years, Saint Gregory the Great appeared to her and predicted her death, which happened soon after on the predicted date. A symbol of determination and faith.
2. The Rocca - like every other town in Tuscany, SG's Rocca is the highest point of the city, with beautiful views and a nice, fresh place to enjoy the coolest spot in the city.
3. The best Gelateria in the World - tacky and neon-laden, this spot cannot be missed. Most of us in the group had two servings of gelato from there. They have several special flavors, but the one I most recommend is the Crema di Santa Fina - a cream-flavored gelato with saffron, with a little granola and pine nuts in it. WOW. And I'm totally a chocolate and fruit flavors fan.
SPI graciously covered the cost of the bus tickets for going and returning, so the kids had a great time wandering town, with Becky as tour guide. Hope they have some great pics to share with you!!!
Tomorrow is our last day of class, and our last day in Siena. Everyone will be taking a test to check their progress, and they'll receive diplomas of credit (which I'll promptly collect and take to SPI, from whom you can get them when you go to your university's orientation!). We will take a stroll together out to the Fortress for a group farewell to Siena, then the kids have the afternoon and evening free to make any final purchases and pack for Rome. We meet EARLY on Saturday morning - have to be ready to catch the bus at 7 AM! - and will bus back to Rome, where we'll return to the same hotel where we stayed at the beginning of the trip. After dropping off bags (and meeting my husband, who arrives when we do), we all will travel by metro and local train to Ostia Antica, where we'll tour the city, deserted in the 2nd century due to the plague. Afterwards, we'll return to the hotel to rest and do any final packing (can you believe the ENTIRE group of kids told me that they DIDN'T want to go to the beach for a few hours?), then have our final dinner out, before I force a good night's sleep on all of them before a long day of travel on Sunday.
Parents, again, I just wanted to thank you and the kids for the awesome experience we've had this summer. Not only has this bunch been some of the best learners of Italian, they've been adventurous, always willing to go the extra few steps for the special opportunity. They've made this experience for me so special, and I'll always be thankful.
peace,
L
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
FA CALDO
Buon Giorno!
Well, the heat has become another member of our trip. At least, that's how it seems - it sticks to you everywhere! Being in the shade does give a little reprieve, and time at the beach (or in another smaller town) helps.
On Tuesday, after class, we met up at the Palazzo Pubblico. It's the palace which you see whenever you view pictures of Siena's Campo (main piazza in town). The front has a large sun with "IHS" on it - the symbol of one of Siena's two patron saints, San Bernardino, who brought Christianity to Siena (I think . . . but post a correction if I'm wrong). Of course, the other patron saint is Catherine, about whom we learned on Monday. The Palazzo Pubblico contains two entrances. We entered the palace itself to view the various pieces of art, collected over the centuries, as well as the infamous frescoes of the place. In one room, Becky was amazed by the art commemorating the historical events surrounding Vittorio Emanuele II, Ian thought the sleeping child sculpture was pretty cool. Brenna and Stephen absolutely soaked up all the old frescoes, which had images of the church fathers with the prophets, or the Maesta, or the Allegories of Good and Bad Government. Bravo to Trevor, who, after our artsy tour, chose to climb the Torre del Mangia, the iconic tower of Siena which is attached to the Palazzo.
After our tour, normal life came calling, and several of us went to find lavanderie where we could wash our clothes. There was a pleasant break from the sun with a few minutes of couldy skies, but, let's face it, we're all ready to have a good night's sleep in an air-conditioned room (which we'll get on Saturday). The heat is getting to the point where we're not sleeping well . . .
Today, we had a normal day of class, then, for everyone, a giorno libero. Some people chose to watch the movie of the week, which is shown in the library (Biblioteca) of the school. Some are taking care of themselves and staying out of the heat (and hiding in their homestays). And some chose to take advantage of the season which starts today in Italy - SALDI. Beginning on July 7, all stores put their stuff on"sale", hoping to sell all their summer lines out, before they close up to go off for vacation in August, and return in September to restock their stores with the winter lines. It's the day to buy!!! (Thus a free day)
Tomorrow, we're going on a fun excursion together. Through this trip, many of us have been on the noble pursuit of the best gelato experience. Fortunately, SPI gave me some funny money to spend with the group (on Siena excursions), which, so far, has given us all our entry fees. Tomorrow, immediately after class, we're going to catch a bus to a nearby town, San Gimignano. Of course, this spot has important religious significance, and the saint, Santa Fina, is a good example for youth (she actually died in her teenage years). We will visit a church with beautiful frescoes depicting the stories of the Old and New Testament, and may even attend a little bit of a Vivaldi concert, which is being held in nearby church. But, just as important, is that this town has the best gelateria NEL MONDO. At least, they have the sign to prove it. We'll see if the kiddos agree.
Friday will be our last day in class and in Siena, and the kids will get a free afternoon to have their last experiences in town. Me, I'm running off to the Fortezza to find a fresher breeze. Then, on Saturday, we will meet early (at 7 AM) for the bus to Rome, where we'll check in to our hotel and meet up with my husband, Jay. From there, we're going to do a tour of a nearby ancient, deserted town, Ostia (far nicer experience than Pompeii - not eating dust, and it's near the ocean). What a great way to end this awesome experience together, before we all return home on Sunday!
And that's exactly what this has been - a great experience for the whole group. Your kiddos have been so open-minded and adventurous, easy-going and resilient . . . I've already written a personal note to each of them (which they'll get when I give them their passports), but, parents, please know that they've been an absolute pleasure to lead this summer!!!
a dopo,
Laura :)
Well, the heat has become another member of our trip. At least, that's how it seems - it sticks to you everywhere! Being in the shade does give a little reprieve, and time at the beach (or in another smaller town) helps.
On Tuesday, after class, we met up at the Palazzo Pubblico. It's the palace which you see whenever you view pictures of Siena's Campo (main piazza in town). The front has a large sun with "IHS" on it - the symbol of one of Siena's two patron saints, San Bernardino, who brought Christianity to Siena (I think . . . but post a correction if I'm wrong). Of course, the other patron saint is Catherine, about whom we learned on Monday. The Palazzo Pubblico contains two entrances. We entered the palace itself to view the various pieces of art, collected over the centuries, as well as the infamous frescoes of the place. In one room, Becky was amazed by the art commemorating the historical events surrounding Vittorio Emanuele II, Ian thought the sleeping child sculpture was pretty cool. Brenna and Stephen absolutely soaked up all the old frescoes, which had images of the church fathers with the prophets, or the Maesta, or the Allegories of Good and Bad Government. Bravo to Trevor, who, after our artsy tour, chose to climb the Torre del Mangia, the iconic tower of Siena which is attached to the Palazzo.
After our tour, normal life came calling, and several of us went to find lavanderie where we could wash our clothes. There was a pleasant break from the sun with a few minutes of couldy skies, but, let's face it, we're all ready to have a good night's sleep in an air-conditioned room (which we'll get on Saturday). The heat is getting to the point where we're not sleeping well . . .
Today, we had a normal day of class, then, for everyone, a giorno libero. Some people chose to watch the movie of the week, which is shown in the library (Biblioteca) of the school. Some are taking care of themselves and staying out of the heat (and hiding in their homestays). And some chose to take advantage of the season which starts today in Italy - SALDI. Beginning on July 7, all stores put their stuff on"sale", hoping to sell all their summer lines out, before they close up to go off for vacation in August, and return in September to restock their stores with the winter lines. It's the day to buy!!! (Thus a free day)
Tomorrow, we're going on a fun excursion together. Through this trip, many of us have been on the noble pursuit of the best gelato experience. Fortunately, SPI gave me some funny money to spend with the group (on Siena excursions), which, so far, has given us all our entry fees. Tomorrow, immediately after class, we're going to catch a bus to a nearby town, San Gimignano. Of course, this spot has important religious significance, and the saint, Santa Fina, is a good example for youth (she actually died in her teenage years). We will visit a church with beautiful frescoes depicting the stories of the Old and New Testament, and may even attend a little bit of a Vivaldi concert, which is being held in nearby church. But, just as important, is that this town has the best gelateria NEL MONDO. At least, they have the sign to prove it. We'll see if the kiddos agree.
Friday will be our last day in class and in Siena, and the kids will get a free afternoon to have their last experiences in town. Me, I'm running off to the Fortezza to find a fresher breeze. Then, on Saturday, we will meet early (at 7 AM) for the bus to Rome, where we'll check in to our hotel and meet up with my husband, Jay. From there, we're going to do a tour of a nearby ancient, deserted town, Ostia (far nicer experience than Pompeii - not eating dust, and it's near the ocean). What a great way to end this awesome experience together, before we all return home on Sunday!
And that's exactly what this has been - a great experience for the whole group. Your kiddos have been so open-minded and adventurous, easy-going and resilient . . . I've already written a personal note to each of them (which they'll get when I give them their passports), but, parents, please know that they've been an absolute pleasure to lead this summer!!!
a dopo,
Laura :)
Monday, July 5, 2010
Selva ha vinto!!!
Buon Giorno, Tutti!
Wow, with all that has happened since my last entry, this might have to happen in a few separate entries. I had every intention to do a computer entry on Friday, but all the regular places closed up for the Palio festivities.
Thursday was a fun day - we did a tour of the Duomo of Siena (far better to visit the inside than in any other Duomo in Tuscany), and got to view the black and white fest that is the beauty of the inside of the Duomo. A side chapel contains many manuscripts of chant books, which were collected by Pope Pius II (Piccolomini), who hails from Siena. Afterwards, we all headed to Nannini's, the best bakery in town, where we got to enjoy (by my treat) a few Siennese treats, namely cantucci and vin santo. Cantucci are little cookies which look like biscotti (named thus because they're "twice baked"), but are super-hard. You have to soak them in vin santo to make them soft enough to eat, or else you could break a tooth on some of the harder versions of them. Ricarelli are soft cookies, dusted with powdered sugar, and, then, there's the Panpepato and Panforte (made with dried fruit and almond slices, with a little flour to hold it together). Yum, yum, and MORE YUM. Parents, I often encourage your kiddos to pick these up as gifts to bring home . . . we'll see if they heed my advice!
Friday was the day of the Palio. And, as always, it was a day of craziness! I had a gal in my homestay one year from Switzerland, who turned to me during the Palio, and said, "Questi Senesi, sono proprio pazzi." (These people from Siena, they are crazy in their own right.) We got out of class and they locked up the school right at 1:30, and everyone went their own way. at 2:30, many of us attended the Benedictioni at one of the contrada's churches, where they walk the rider (Fantino) and THE HORSE into the church for a blessing from their contrada's priest. Then, each contrada marches by the Monte dei Paschi (where banking was established - sponsors much of the Palio), to salute the bank, then back around town to salute the Archbishop, who is standing at his window, just juxtaposed to the Duomo. Then, they all follow down to the Campo, with the Corte Storiche (a historical procession, where people in medieval garb represent all the contrade, plus all the cities in Tuscany, as well as all the virtuous qualities)following afterwards. Everyone who hasn't paid for a seat (exorbitant - 300Euros per spot, and sold out by February) follows this procession into the Campo, like water flowing down the drain, and they wait and bake. Sooner or later, the Palio (a big flag, a new one designed each year) comes out on a cart drawn by four ENORMOUS bulls, and, once it's posted up in the corner of the Campo, the Fantini and the horses come out. Many false starts ensure, and the lineup has to be redone many times. This year, it was actually faster than usual, and the real race happened about 45 minutes before I was expecting.
And what a race!!! L'Onda started out strongly, and made the two first laps way ahead, but then . . . that crazy gray horse . . . well, you can watch it yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVBCFFN605s&feature=PlayList&p=585BA467533EF135&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1
La Carriera is the actual one. You get all the excitement - people falling from their horses, a change in leaders . . . so exciting. And, my favorite part - when it's over, the winner celebrates, and everyone else turns off the TV and starts dinner, as if it were just another program. Don't worry. Selva has been partying. EVERY NIGHT. My window is 100 meters from the border between Aquila and Selva. Grazie a Dio for earplugs. They will do this for a while - they have bragging rights for this Palio until next July. There is another one of these in August, but it's considered a totally separate event, and that winner will, also, have bragging rights until the next August.
On Saturday, we went to Florence for a day of learning about art and architecture, and what a great day! SPI booked reservations, so we got to enjoy some strolling time, then went right into the museums at our reserved times! We got to see the Primavera and birth of Venus by Botticelli in the Uffizi (and my favorite statue, Laocoon, the priest of Troy), and we got to see i prigioneri and the David at the Accademia. We discussed the idea of seeing motion in sculpture, and we even got to enjoy a little bit of shopping! But, with the heat which has settled into Tuscany, we were all happy to get onto our bus with A/C and get back in time for dinner at the homestays.
On Sunday, we had our giorno libero. Beach time for the kiddos, and they had a great time! And the sunburns are none too bad, as well (yay!). We will get a little optional beach time on Saturday, too, when we have our last day in Rome. We'll see if they want to do it by then . . .
Today was back to class and regular schedules. We did a nice walk to some sacred places in town (to see spots relevant to St. Catherine of Siena), as well as a walk to some fresher spots. As we parted from each other, some thunderheads were forming in the distance. While I've sat here, the guy at the internet spot claims that it started raining, but I don't believe it, unless I feel it! They say that the heat index in Florence today is at 41 gradi (which is close to 110 degrees F), and it's never much different in Siena. Get me to the Fortezza, quick!!! Mom and Dad, I'm totally camping out at the pool when I get back . . .
We were talking this weekend, and can't believe we're halfway through this trip! Becky just made the comment to me, today, as we were passing a group of visiting tourists, that she doesn't feel like she's a tourist - she feels like she has more an attachment to Siena. Indeed, we are all feeling more like locals at this point.
More to share once we've done it!
pax,
Laura :)
Wow, with all that has happened since my last entry, this might have to happen in a few separate entries. I had every intention to do a computer entry on Friday, but all the regular places closed up for the Palio festivities.
Thursday was a fun day - we did a tour of the Duomo of Siena (far better to visit the inside than in any other Duomo in Tuscany), and got to view the black and white fest that is the beauty of the inside of the Duomo. A side chapel contains many manuscripts of chant books, which were collected by Pope Pius II (Piccolomini), who hails from Siena. Afterwards, we all headed to Nannini's, the best bakery in town, where we got to enjoy (by my treat) a few Siennese treats, namely cantucci and vin santo. Cantucci are little cookies which look like biscotti (named thus because they're "twice baked"), but are super-hard. You have to soak them in vin santo to make them soft enough to eat, or else you could break a tooth on some of the harder versions of them. Ricarelli are soft cookies, dusted with powdered sugar, and, then, there's the Panpepato and Panforte (made with dried fruit and almond slices, with a little flour to hold it together). Yum, yum, and MORE YUM. Parents, I often encourage your kiddos to pick these up as gifts to bring home . . . we'll see if they heed my advice!
Friday was the day of the Palio. And, as always, it was a day of craziness! I had a gal in my homestay one year from Switzerland, who turned to me during the Palio, and said, "Questi Senesi, sono proprio pazzi." (These people from Siena, they are crazy in their own right.) We got out of class and they locked up the school right at 1:30, and everyone went their own way. at 2:30, many of us attended the Benedictioni at one of the contrada's churches, where they walk the rider (Fantino) and THE HORSE into the church for a blessing from their contrada's priest. Then, each contrada marches by the Monte dei Paschi (where banking was established - sponsors much of the Palio), to salute the bank, then back around town to salute the Archbishop, who is standing at his window, just juxtaposed to the Duomo. Then, they all follow down to the Campo, with the Corte Storiche (a historical procession, where people in medieval garb represent all the contrade, plus all the cities in Tuscany, as well as all the virtuous qualities)following afterwards. Everyone who hasn't paid for a seat (exorbitant - 300Euros per spot, and sold out by February) follows this procession into the Campo, like water flowing down the drain, and they wait and bake. Sooner or later, the Palio (a big flag, a new one designed each year) comes out on a cart drawn by four ENORMOUS bulls, and, once it's posted up in the corner of the Campo, the Fantini and the horses come out. Many false starts ensure, and the lineup has to be redone many times. This year, it was actually faster than usual, and the real race happened about 45 minutes before I was expecting.
And what a race!!! L'Onda started out strongly, and made the two first laps way ahead, but then . . . that crazy gray horse . . . well, you can watch it yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVBCFFN605s&feature=PlayList&p=585BA467533EF135&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1
La Carriera is the actual one. You get all the excitement - people falling from their horses, a change in leaders . . . so exciting. And, my favorite part - when it's over, the winner celebrates, and everyone else turns off the TV and starts dinner, as if it were just another program. Don't worry. Selva has been partying. EVERY NIGHT. My window is 100 meters from the border between Aquila and Selva. Grazie a Dio for earplugs. They will do this for a while - they have bragging rights for this Palio until next July. There is another one of these in August, but it's considered a totally separate event, and that winner will, also, have bragging rights until the next August.
On Saturday, we went to Florence for a day of learning about art and architecture, and what a great day! SPI booked reservations, so we got to enjoy some strolling time, then went right into the museums at our reserved times! We got to see the Primavera and birth of Venus by Botticelli in the Uffizi (and my favorite statue, Laocoon, the priest of Troy), and we got to see i prigioneri and the David at the Accademia. We discussed the idea of seeing motion in sculpture, and we even got to enjoy a little bit of shopping! But, with the heat which has settled into Tuscany, we were all happy to get onto our bus with A/C and get back in time for dinner at the homestays.
On Sunday, we had our giorno libero. Beach time for the kiddos, and they had a great time! And the sunburns are none too bad, as well (yay!). We will get a little optional beach time on Saturday, too, when we have our last day in Rome. We'll see if they want to do it by then . . .
Today was back to class and regular schedules. We did a nice walk to some sacred places in town (to see spots relevant to St. Catherine of Siena), as well as a walk to some fresher spots. As we parted from each other, some thunderheads were forming in the distance. While I've sat here, the guy at the internet spot claims that it started raining, but I don't believe it, unless I feel it! They say that the heat index in Florence today is at 41 gradi (which is close to 110 degrees F), and it's never much different in Siena. Get me to the Fortezza, quick!!! Mom and Dad, I'm totally camping out at the pool when I get back . . .
We were talking this weekend, and can't believe we're halfway through this trip! Becky just made the comment to me, today, as we were passing a group of visiting tourists, that she doesn't feel like she's a tourist - she feels like she has more an attachment to Siena. Indeed, we are all feeling more like locals at this point.
More to share once we've done it!
pax,
Laura :)
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