The Borgias

As you'll read on this blog several times, I like to encourage viewing movies as a way to experience history and culture of a far and distant land. As far as media for Ancient Rome/Latin is concerned, there are fun movies (Gladiator) and totally inappropriate TV shows (Spartacus: Blood and Sand; Rome). Not that I wouldn't recommend them, but just know that I couldn't show more than 5 minutes of each hour-long show in the classroom! (Haven't yet seen "Eagle" - hope to do so this summer while I'm laid up on the sofa)

This weekend, Showtime is is starting up their next big epic series after "The Tudors," called "The Borgias." Personally, I can't wait to see it, but I will offer a few caveats to innocent eyes:

1. I haven't seen any of the shows, and I'm expecting them to have the same appropriate level as "The Tudors" or the prior-mentioned Roman-themed shows, i.e. too juicy for children's eyes;

2. I would never support anything which besmirches the papal name;

3. With #2 stated, I do know the history of the Borgia family and Alexander's history. And Jeremy Irons plays Pope Alexander. If you'd rather learn about the history of the papacy from an unbiased source, please let me know where you find one! :)

Please feel free to check prior entries to see other suggested movies for enjoying your pre-Italy experience! With the passing-away of Elizabeth Taylor, who WOULDN'T watch "Cleopatra"?

un' abbracio,

Laura

Signing up!

Wow - we have so many people eager and ready to sign up! Can't tell you how excited I am about your enthusiasm!

SPI is super busy right now, finalizing plans for all of their 2011 summer trips (which you can view on the website, including the Italy Study-Abroad program), and might not be able to respond immediately to you. Thus, if you have questions, contact me directly, by e-mail or through this blog! Once we get to August, SPI will be ready for your enrollment (with bells on), and will even be ready to talk about specific flights for our Custom Italy 2012 trip! Please know that we won't be limiting any enrollment until then.

Again, I'm here and ready to receive your e-mails with any inquiries about the trip! Forgive my delayed response over Spring Break - I'm running off to an Hawaiian island to hide and cement my Lenten promise to limit my e-mail-checking habits. :)

peace and love,

Laura :)

Booking Flights ***Changing news on 4/4/11!

Some of you have shared concerns about booking flights, and I completely understand these concerns! It would be nice to know when the group flight is, so that you can get your kiddo on the same flight!

SPI has answered your concerns! In APRIL (330 days out, for you knowledgeable travelers), SPI will research and find the best flight for the group's travel, and will then give you the information on those flights (to assure that your kiddo will travel on the same flight as I'm on)! SPI is still trying to decide whether they will simply book a group of tickets on that flight, or whether they'll handle the booking for you . . . as soon as I know, I'll inform you!

Andiamo!

Welcome to the Italy Experience!

Wow - just over a year away from our departure, and we already have three people (plus) signed up for next year's fun! And three SUPER-quality people, at that!

Y'all had some really good questions about signing up/the online registration process. Please remember that some of the essences of the other SPI programs differ from our Italy 2012-Custom trip!

Page 1. Program Data - Custom Program Name - Italy March 2012

Page 3. Housing Data - This is where I get to know YOU, too!

Please be sure to enter as much into this as you'd like: Important: Dietary Needs, Allergies, Pre-Existing Conditions, Prescriptions, Common Medical Problems; Good to know: Roommate Request, Past travel experiences,

***Info about yourself, and your family - please give me some good information about you here!

Also, please do read through the SPI Policies and Rules/Regulations, given on the last page (Page 4) - it's important that students understand the rules under which they're expected to travel! I like to establish an environment of great respect and trust during our Italy experience, to make it the best travel fun you'll ever have!

Please feel free to share comments here, or following any post!

un' abbracio,

Laura :)