Hello faithful followers of the Italy fish blog! You may have noticed that there was no post yesterday! That's because there wasn't one! Since I'm the only guy with the access to the internets to write this blog, I must be the go-to guy for today! So this is a recap of yesterday: we spent most of the day travelling all the way from Castiglion Fiorentino to Venice, so that pretty much tired us out. Once in Venice, we had a bit of time to rest in the hotel before we went back and hit the town. We got to see the clock tower, a church covered entirely in mosaics, lots of interesting shops, and, of course, St. Mark's square, named after the patron saint of Venice. (He wasn't actually from Venice ya'll. They stole his bones. STOLE THEM!) Anyway, that was loads of fun and I can't really remember anything that happened after I laid on the bed. Of course, we still got gelato because what would be a day in Italy without it. Peace out ya'll!
-Cole
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Day 14: Orvieto and Passignano sul Trasimeno
Howdy!
Today was a free day, and we were given the option to visit Orvieto, Passignano sul Trasimeno, or stay at Santa Chiara.
The group that went to Orvieto split off, with some heading off to mass, and others heading off to play on the children's playground located inside Fortezza Porta Rocca. Following the childhood flashback, the group continued on to climb down Pozzo di Santa Patrizio, a well big enough for an ox-cart to go down. After climbing the 496 steps to get to the bottom and back, the group headed on to the main church, the Duomo. Outside, they discovered a tourist information desk that was offering tickets to see the underground city of Orvieto. The group promptly bought tickets to that. On the tour they learned all about how useful pigeons are if you have the correct pigeon niches to house them. After that tour, the group again split up, some wishing to eat and others wishing to explore. The exploration of the second group mainly consisted of searching the whole city for a single water fountain. The group finally found one at the very base of the hill that housed the city (they later learned there was one in the main part of the city where they had previously been waiting). Hungry after their trek, they found a restaurant that suited everyone and was, more importantly, not very expensive. After the fiasco that was paying for the meal, the group wandered the city for a short while longer before heading back to the train station, where they became Youtube sensations in Asia due to their amazing impromptu musical number. Finally, they got back to Santa Chiara, the group took the much needed time to rest and prepare for Venice the next day.
The second group went to Passignano sul Trasimeno, with most of the group deciding to relax and enjoy the day at a questionably clean lake. We encountered a dilemma as we got off the train. Since no one had been to Passignano sul Trasimeno before, and no one had brought a map, we had no idea how to get to the lake. Fortunately, we were able to connect to the internet and find directions. On the way to the beach, we passed by a boat service that took people to a Isola Maggiore, a nearby island. Electing to go exploring, the almighty Luke Altendorf and I took a short boat ride to reach the island. We hiked deep into the island, towards an old church and castle. Unfortunately, both were locked and we were unable to enter. Despite this letdown, we continued onward. The trail was surround by trees which provided much needed shade on a very hot and sunny day. We reconvened about half an hour before the train ride and headed home.
Though today was full of adventure, it was also our last day at Santa Chiara, which meant that it was the last time we would be able to eat gelato at the Coco Palm. It was a bittersweet way to end the day.
Russell Yang and Alli Sitton
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Day 13: Rome Recovery, Laundry, and General Laziness
Greetings, inhabitants of the USA!
After the exciting yet grueling day at Rome yesterday, all the fish collapsed into a deep slumber until late in the morning.
While some of them arose early to do laundry, most of them did not awake until the sun's cruel raise beat down upon the earth with a fiery fury.
By 10:30, everybody was up and going, and was at the first session of the day.
After being forced to relocate inside due to the heat, we had a rousing discussion about ... what did we talk about?...... professionalism! We talked about professionalism! Writing resumes, doing interviews, how to dress, and like, not using filler words and stuff. We also regarded the dangers of hazing and its hidden dangers and many forms; from forcing freshmen to run around in their underwear to peer pressuring Sam and Conner into writing a blog about today's events.
After our sessions, we all split up to grab lunch in the town. Coincidentally, we all ate Italian food.
The rest of the day was filled with naps, games and life-map interviews.
On Wednesday, the fish were told to plan out their lives on 8.5x11 sheets of paper. Today they talked about their lives with the faculty leaders, receiving much helpful information.
Meanwhile, many other fish were occupied playing games such as 42, Dominion, Spades and Chess. 42 is a trick-winning game with dominoes, introduced to the Center by Ryan Trantham, and is much beloved by all. Dominion is a medieval-themed-deck-building game introduced by Colton Williams, who over uses Throne-Room like the cheap cheater he is! Oh, sorry, excuse me. These games get me worked up, as they are extremely addictive. Spades, on the other hand, has been peacefully enjoyed by all, especially with Madeline’s Star Trek themed Deck.
These three games, along with chess and B-Movie night have become staples of the late-night at Santa Chiara.
The most popular hang-out in the center is the “wi-fi room”, where the internet leaks in through the walls providing much nourishment to the smartphones and tablets of the fish, who flock there like wildebeest around a watering hole.
After dinner, we all signed up to go to Orvietto, Perugia, or the Lake tomorrow. Most everyone chose Orvietto, while the lame-Os chose to go to the lake.
As usual, we all headed down to the magnificent Coco Palm for gelato and conversation.
Later tonight, a beast was found to roam the upper halls. Sam Konopczynski successfully repelled the bat out a window (along with help in the form of toilet roll throwers, Bethany and Adam and filmographer and Beast hunter Madeline Hansalik), only for it to return while he was busy writing a blog.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Ciaowdy Y'all1
So today was pretty long, hectic and ridiculous, yet still managed to be one of the best days thus far. We left the center at 5:50 am (yikes) to catch a bus to catch a train to go to Italy's most famous city, Rome!
After some breakfast and much needed coffee at the train station, we headed as a large group to check out the Coliseum, which was absolutely mind-blowing. Though for me, the coolest part was the Texas A&M logo graffitied onto one of the pillars near the exit. That made for a pretty spectacular group photo. After the Coliseum, the groups splintered off into several smaller groups and we were left to our own devices.
My group opted to visit the forum, where we saw a beautiful arch constructed by Jewish slaves after being conquered by the Romans. Next, the groups all made their way to the Vatican separately. The journey to the Vatican was surprisingly difficult, we had to split up even further and take three separate cabs, some of which managed to cost twice as much as others (yeah, we probably got gypped a little), but we did manage to make it. The Vatican was amazing. St. Peter's Basilica was by far the most breathtaking and beautiful church we have seen up to this point, and the obelisk at the center of St. peter's square was equally beautiful.
After the Vatican, we headed out to the Piazza Navano to meet the rest of the group to go to the Pantheon. After a short walk, we were greeted by the most incredible example of ancient Roman architecture in the world. To call it awe-inspiring would be a vast disservice. The Basilica inside and the huge pillars outside, combined with the sunbeam shining through the ceiling made for an unparalleled experience, and it was my personal favorite thing we have done to this point.
After reluctantly leaving the Pantheon, we headed to the Trevi Fountain, made famous in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Everyone threw a coin in to ensure their return to Rome, and we witnessed a couple get engaged in front of the fountain. (awe!)
Next, the groups were once again left to their own devices. My group headed off to the Capuchin Crypts, the burial place of hundreds of Ancient monks. Though many consider it a macabre monument - it houses six rooms decorated with the bones of the dead- the museum was meant to humble us, to stand as a reminder of the morality of man. The inscribed plaque proclaiming "What you are we used to be, what we are you will be" certainly conveyed that message, although I personally think it could have been delivered in a slightly less creepy fashion. In any case, the décor did manage to be quite beautiful, if a bit gruesome.
Finally, my group rounded out the trip with the Spanish Steps. Wow. While I'm typically a proponent of flat ground - I didn't realize how strong of a proponent I was until I got here - I was willing to make an exception for these. Though the incline was steep, the view was incredible. We then headed off to the train, stopping only for a well-deserved gelato.
Though the day was long, and undeniably hot, the view certainly made it worth our while. I know nothing can compare to the real thing, but here's some pictures, since I know that's what all of you family members and friends are looking for!
Kimberly Allen and Reid McCorkle
So today was pretty long, hectic and ridiculous, yet still managed to be one of the best days thus far. We left the center at 5:50 am (yikes) to catch a bus to catch a train to go to Italy's most famous city, Rome!
After some breakfast and much needed coffee at the train station, we headed as a large group to check out the Coliseum, which was absolutely mind-blowing. Though for me, the coolest part was the Texas A&M logo graffitied onto one of the pillars near the exit. That made for a pretty spectacular group photo. After the Coliseum, the groups splintered off into several smaller groups and we were left to our own devices.
My group opted to visit the forum, where we saw a beautiful arch constructed by Jewish slaves after being conquered by the Romans. Next, the groups all made their way to the Vatican separately. The journey to the Vatican was surprisingly difficult, we had to split up even further and take three separate cabs, some of which managed to cost twice as much as others (yeah, we probably got gypped a little), but we did manage to make it. The Vatican was amazing. St. Peter's Basilica was by far the most breathtaking and beautiful church we have seen up to this point, and the obelisk at the center of St. peter's square was equally beautiful.
After the Vatican, we headed out to the Piazza Navano to meet the rest of the group to go to the Pantheon. After a short walk, we were greeted by the most incredible example of ancient Roman architecture in the world. To call it awe-inspiring would be a vast disservice. The Basilica inside and the huge pillars outside, combined with the sunbeam shining through the ceiling made for an unparalleled experience, and it was my personal favorite thing we have done to this point.
After reluctantly leaving the Pantheon, we headed to the Trevi Fountain, made famous in The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Everyone threw a coin in to ensure their return to Rome, and we witnessed a couple get engaged in front of the fountain. (awe!)
Next, the groups were once again left to their own devices. My group headed off to the Capuchin Crypts, the burial place of hundreds of Ancient monks. Though many consider it a macabre monument - it houses six rooms decorated with the bones of the dead- the museum was meant to humble us, to stand as a reminder of the morality of man. The inscribed plaque proclaiming "What you are we used to be, what we are you will be" certainly conveyed that message, although I personally think it could have been delivered in a slightly less creepy fashion. In any case, the décor did manage to be quite beautiful, if a bit gruesome.
Finally, my group rounded out the trip with the Spanish Steps. Wow. While I'm typically a proponent of flat ground - I didn't realize how strong of a proponent I was until I got here - I was willing to make an exception for these. Though the incline was steep, the view was incredible. We then headed off to the train, stopping only for a well-deserved gelato.
Though the day was long, and undeniably hot, the view certainly made it worth our while. I know nothing can compare to the real thing, but here's some pictures, since I know that's what all of you family members and friends are looking for!
Kimberly Allen and Reid McCorkle
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Florence 2.0
Today we went
To a land not so far
To a place of flowers Florence
Of tourists and cars
We began our day
In the wee hours of dawn
Then we trekked to the train
And continued to yawn
The train ride passed
In a short bout of sleep
Then we entered the city
And took a mighty leap
Towering wonders
Awe-inspiring tombs
The Medici graveyard The Medici Tombs
All the while David looms
A modest entrance The Academia
Into a cathedral of art
Held mighty David
His size was a start
From there some went
To a collection quite vast The Galileo Science Museum
Of science's history
Who's legacy would last
A walk along the River Arno
Led us to a place of fame The Uffizi
Gods of old grace every wall
With a place in our hearts that shall forever remain
Weary from our travels
Eyes glistening of marvels seen
Our trusty train bore us home
Awaiting dinner for we had become quite lean It was delicious...
Even when your body can't seem to go on there is always gelato to keep you moving
A group waiting to go into the Academia
This blog has been brought to you by the perplexing minds of....
Jake Robinson
Albert Coronado
Ciao for now
To a land not so far
To a place of flowers Florence
Of tourists and cars
We began our day
In the wee hours of dawn
Then we trekked to the train
And continued to yawn
The train ride passed
In a short bout of sleep
Then we entered the city
And took a mighty leap
Towering wonders
Awe-inspiring tombs
The Medici graveyard The Medici Tombs
All the while David looms
A modest entrance The Academia
Into a cathedral of art
Held mighty David
His size was a start
From there some went
To a collection quite vast The Galileo Science Museum
Of science's history
Who's legacy would last
A walk along the River Arno
Led us to a place of fame The Uffizi
Gods of old grace every wall
With a place in our hearts that shall forever remain
Weary from our travels
Eyes glistening of marvels seen
Our trusty train bore us home
Awaiting dinner for we had become quite lean It was delicious...
This blog has been brought to you by the perplexing minds of....
Jake Robinson
Albert Coronado
Ciao for now
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Day 10: Hump Day!
Today, group enjoyed a relaxing day spent mostly at the Student Center. We split into two groups and went back to Rick's art studio for a chance at redemption in creating a monotype. As each of us had previously done, we created images by applying paint, newspapers, and numerous other objects to a square of plastic and pressing them onto a damp sheet of paper to create a reverse image. Some planned the piece far in advance and attempted to strategically approach the piece; others of us mistook our randomly assembled abstract pieces for actual art. Either way, we enjoyed another creative day in the studio and broke out of our non-artistic comfort zones.
Back at the Center, we spent the day researching famous sites in Rome for Friday's expedition. Because we will only be spending one day in the city, time is of the essence and it will be important for us to be familiar with the sites to visit if we hope to get the most out of the trip. For example, these bloggers researched the Trevi Fountain and the Roman Pantheon. The fountain was built in 1629 in the Baroque era, and legend has it that if a visitor throws a coin in the fountain, he will surely return one day to Rome. The Pantheon, originally constructed in 31 BC, and destroyed, rebuilt, and remodeled dozens of times since, is rated number two on the list of places to see in Rome. It is famous for its revolutionary architecture and impressive stature in the city.
Our final task for the day was to create a "life map" to think about ways to ensure our future success. We sat down one-on-one with leaders from the trip and discussed what we hoped to accomplish by the end of our college careers and in our professional lives, and they helped us with tips on how to get there. It was a rewarding experience, and most of us found it to be well worth the effort.
Once these tasks were completed, today was a nice day to relax, hang out, and catch up on lost sleep. We will be up early tomorrow for our second trip to Florence, so I'm sure everyone will be in bed right on time!
Today, group enjoyed a relaxing day spent mostly at the Student Center. We split into two groups and went back to Rick's art studio for a chance at redemption in creating a monotype. As each of us had previously done, we created images by applying paint, newspapers, and numerous other objects to a square of plastic and pressing them onto a damp sheet of paper to create a reverse image. Some planned the piece far in advance and attempted to strategically approach the piece; others of us mistook our randomly assembled abstract pieces for actual art. Either way, we enjoyed another creative day in the studio and broke out of our non-artistic comfort zones.
Back at the Center, we spent the day researching famous sites in Rome for Friday's expedition. Because we will only be spending one day in the city, time is of the essence and it will be important for us to be familiar with the sites to visit if we hope to get the most out of the trip. For example, these bloggers researched the Trevi Fountain and the Roman Pantheon. The fountain was built in 1629 in the Baroque era, and legend has it that if a visitor throws a coin in the fountain, he will surely return one day to Rome. The Pantheon, originally constructed in 31 BC, and destroyed, rebuilt, and remodeled dozens of times since, is rated number two on the list of places to see in Rome. It is famous for its revolutionary architecture and impressive stature in the city.
Our final task for the day was to create a "life map" to think about ways to ensure our future success. We sat down one-on-one with leaders from the trip and discussed what we hoped to accomplish by the end of our college careers and in our professional lives, and they helped us with tips on how to get there. It was a rewarding experience, and most of us found it to be well worth the effort.
Once these tasks were completed, today was a nice day to relax, hang out, and catch up on lost sleep. We will be up early tomorrow for our second trip to Florence, so I'm sure everyone will be in bed right on time!
This post has been brought to you by the Conner Fear and Justin Vogl Institute of Higher Learning.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Day 9: Assisi Ain't Easy
First and foremost the use of the word ain't in the title is courtesy of Ryan Trantham.
Today we traveled to Assisi. The bus left at 8:30 and many of us woke up earlier to enjoy a quick breakfast at Bar 2000. The bus ride was about an hour and a half, and at one point we stopped to get our fabulous tour guide Giovanni. When we arrived in Assisi the first church that we visited was St. Clare Basilica, or Basilica di Santa Chiara as it is called here. We saw the beautiful artwork that adorned the church. Giovanni also took us down to a lower level where we got to see St. Clare's tomb. Then we continued our trek uphill to see the house where St. Francis grew up for a quick stop before journeying on to The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take many pictures. Giovanni lead us around the Basilica showing and telling us about the different pieces of artwork that were painted on the walls and ceilings. We even got to see the famous "Gig'em" Mary. The group was then lead down the stairs to see the tomb of St. Francis.
For lunch we walked to a ristorante to eat some much needed and welcomed pasta. After lunch, we split up into small groups. Half of us went to the Rocca Maggiore which was the castle that overlooked the town and surrounding areas, while the other half of our group went to explore the town and to shop around the cute stores. Going to the castle was quite a journey! The castle was located on a steep hill that we unfortunately had to walk up. When we arrived at the castle, we went up and down small sets of staircases in order to reach the top of the towers. The staircases were composed of incredibly small steps that were also very slippery. We were all a little worried of slipping at one point or another. But enduring the danger of falling down stairs was worth it. The view was absolutely amazing. At one point, half of us were at one tower and the other half were at another. It was pretty cool being able to yell "Howdy!" across an ancient castle to one another. When we finally left the castle, some people got some gelato and decided to shop around for a while before finally meeting up with everyone to walk back to the bus to head over to Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. By the time we left the basilica, we were all so tired that we couldn't wait to get on the bus to head back to the center. Almost everyone fell asleep on the bus ride back! When we got back to the center, we ate dinner, had a small discussion about tomorrow, and headed out to gelato as usual.
Ciao!
Jacqueline Macias and Bethany Smith
Today we traveled to Assisi. The bus left at 8:30 and many of us woke up earlier to enjoy a quick breakfast at Bar 2000. The bus ride was about an hour and a half, and at one point we stopped to get our fabulous tour guide Giovanni. When we arrived in Assisi the first church that we visited was St. Clare Basilica, or Basilica di Santa Chiara as it is called here. We saw the beautiful artwork that adorned the church. Giovanni also took us down to a lower level where we got to see St. Clare's tomb. Then we continued our trek uphill to see the house where St. Francis grew up for a quick stop before journeying on to The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to take many pictures. Giovanni lead us around the Basilica showing and telling us about the different pieces of artwork that were painted on the walls and ceilings. We even got to see the famous "Gig'em" Mary. The group was then lead down the stairs to see the tomb of St. Francis.
For lunch we walked to a ristorante to eat some much needed and welcomed pasta. After lunch, we split up into small groups. Half of us went to the Rocca Maggiore which was the castle that overlooked the town and surrounding areas, while the other half of our group went to explore the town and to shop around the cute stores. Going to the castle was quite a journey! The castle was located on a steep hill that we unfortunately had to walk up. When we arrived at the castle, we went up and down small sets of staircases in order to reach the top of the towers. The staircases were composed of incredibly small steps that were also very slippery. We were all a little worried of slipping at one point or another. But enduring the danger of falling down stairs was worth it. The view was absolutely amazing. At one point, half of us were at one tower and the other half were at another. It was pretty cool being able to yell "Howdy!" across an ancient castle to one another. When we finally left the castle, some people got some gelato and decided to shop around for a while before finally meeting up with everyone to walk back to the bus to head over to Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. By the time we left the basilica, we were all so tired that we couldn't wait to get on the bus to head back to the center. Almost everyone fell asleep on the bus ride back! When we got back to the center, we ate dinner, had a small discussion about tomorrow, and headed out to gelato as usual.
Ciao!
Jacqueline Macias and Bethany Smith
Entering St. Clare's Basilica
Walking to the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Group picture!
Lunch! Yum!
Outside of Rocca Maggiore
Sleeping on the way back home
Monday, July 22, 2013
Day VIII: Art/Pizza and Discussion
Howdy! Today was a relatively relaxing day compared to the week we have ahead of us. Once again we split off into groups going to pizza and art lessons.
The group that went to pizza learned words for baking pizza in Italian such as "farina" which means flour. The entire pizza lesson was taught in Italian. We learned how to mix and knead our own dough. After attempting to knead it into a flower shape, we sent it off to be baked and were given toppings to put on our pizzas. We spread tomato sauce on the dough and topped it with sausage, prosciutto, pepperoni, and tuna. Giovanna and Romano took our topped pizzas and cooked them immediately. When they were done, we indulged in our delicious pizza we ate a chocolate cake with Nutella as well as iced water!
The group that went to art learned how to make a press. After observing a very detailed demonstration that showcased th
e entire process, we were allowed to make our own. We began by spreading ink over a plastic platter by using a roller and then pressed various objects into that ink to make a design. When we were satisfied with the design on our platter, we laid some paper over the platter and used a rolling press to transfer the ink onto paper. Of course, the most popular color we used was Aggie maroon.
When we returned to the center, we ate lunch and listened to a discussion about the benefits and requirements of being in the honors program as well as the ways students can get involved on campus within the first few weeks of class. We were told of the numerous clubs and Freshman Leadership Organizations (FLOs) on campus that would be trying to recruit us. After our discussion we ate dinner and went out for our nightly gelato, where Luke dazzled the locals with magic tricks.
The group that went to pizza learned words for baking pizza in Italian such as "farina" which means flour. The entire pizza lesson was taught in Italian. We learned how to mix and knead our own dough. After attempting to knead it into a flower shape, we sent it off to be baked and were given toppings to put on our pizzas. We spread tomato sauce on the dough and topped it with sausage, prosciutto, pepperoni, and tuna. Giovanna and Romano took our topped pizzas and cooked them immediately. When they were done, we indulged in our delicious pizza we ate a chocolate cake with Nutella as well as iced water!
The group that went to art learned how to make a press. After observing a very detailed demonstration that showcased th
e entire process, we were allowed to make our own. We began by spreading ink over a plastic platter by using a roller and then pressed various objects into that ink to make a design. When we were satisfied with the design on our platter, we laid some paper over the platter and used a rolling press to transfer the ink onto paper. Of course, the most popular color we used was Aggie maroon.
When we returned to the center, we ate lunch and listened to a discussion about the benefits and requirements of being in the honors program as well as the ways students can get involved on campus within the first few weeks of class. We were told of the numerous clubs and Freshman Leadership Organizations (FLOs) on campus that would be trying to recruit us. After our discussion we ate dinner and went out for our nightly gelato, where Luke dazzled the locals with magic tricks.
Alex and Adam N.
Manuela and Alli showing off their art.
We had ice!
Russell showing off his roll.
The beginnings of our pizza!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Day 7: Mass, Pool, and Lee Walker!
[Enter Connor and Cole, conversing]
Both: "Howdy! This is Connor Knight and Cole Williams!"
Connor: "Today was Sunday, so of course we were offered the option to attend a traditional Italian mass. Since it was only an option, not everybody went, but we had enough people to adequately fill a good number of pews. The mass was in Italian but we had packets to follow along. We were even able to meet up with an English speaking priest who answered a lot of questions for us. By the time we got back to the center some of the other kids had woken up and we had free time."
Cole: "I was one of the other kids who woke up late and had some free time--"
Connor: "Well at least you didn't get up at 2:30 like Albert."
Cole: "It sounds like there should be a joke in there somewhere but this is a blog so we have to be serious."
Connor: "yeh"
Cole: "So while people woke up early to go to mass, a bunch of
people stayed back at the center and just slept in and did some laundry, etc. etc."
Connor: "That sounds like fun!"
Cole: "yeh"
Connor: "So after mass, a group of us went down to the pool for some fun in the sun. The weird thing was that they required us to wear swim caps--"
Cole: [Aside] "That is weird!"
Connor: "After swimming we worked our way into town because most of us hadn't eaten yet. This was around 1:00 so we were pretty hungry considering that we had just swam for an hour. Since it was Sunday almost every shop in town was closed, but we were able to find a nice pizza joint and enjoyed burning our mouths with some amazing pizza! We got back to the center at about 2:30 -- half an hour late for our session. (Worth it.)"
Cole: "And that's why everyone hates you guys! So then we talked a lot about being healthy and safey on campus. We also learned the merits of packing a good sack lunch to a buffet. Afterwards, we met Mr. Lee Walker, an A&M alumni who has done pretty much everything. He has headed companies and has inspired others and has gone on boat trips to Africa and has probably lived a fuller life than anyone reading this blog has."
Connor: "I mean, seriously. He's co-founded 'Live Strong,' served as president of Dell in its early years, inspired a line of Nike Air force 1's, and now owns a castle in the hills of Italy. After his talk with us he even stuck around for dinner and the daily gelato run!"
Cole: "So that's basically today in a nutshell."
Both: "Connor and Cole out."
[Exeunt]
Both: "Howdy! This is Connor Knight and Cole Williams!"
Connor: "Today was Sunday, so of course we were offered the option to attend a traditional Italian mass. Since it was only an option, not everybody went, but we had enough people to adequately fill a good number of pews. The mass was in Italian but we had packets to follow along. We were even able to meet up with an English speaking priest who answered a lot of questions for us. By the time we got back to the center some of the other kids had woken up and we had free time."
Cole: "I was one of the other kids who woke up late and had some free time--"
Connor: "Well at least you didn't get up at 2:30 like Albert."
Cole: "It sounds like there should be a joke in there somewhere but this is a blog so we have to be serious."
Connor: "yeh"
Cole: "So while people woke up early to go to mass, a bunch of
people stayed back at the center and just slept in and did some laundry, etc. etc."
Connor: "That sounds like fun!"
Cole: "yeh"
Connor: "So after mass, a group of us went down to the pool for some fun in the sun. The weird thing was that they required us to wear swim caps--"
Cole: [Aside] "That is weird!"
Connor: "After swimming we worked our way into town because most of us hadn't eaten yet. This was around 1:00 so we were pretty hungry considering that we had just swam for an hour. Since it was Sunday almost every shop in town was closed, but we were able to find a nice pizza joint and enjoyed burning our mouths with some amazing pizza! We got back to the center at about 2:30 -- half an hour late for our session. (Worth it.)"
Cole: "And that's why everyone hates you guys! So then we talked a lot about being healthy and safey on campus. We also learned the merits of packing a good sack lunch to a buffet. Afterwards, we met Mr. Lee Walker, an A&M alumni who has done pretty much everything. He has headed companies and has inspired others and has gone on boat trips to Africa and has probably lived a fuller life than anyone reading this blog has."
Connor: "I mean, seriously. He's co-founded 'Live Strong,' served as president of Dell in its early years, inspired a line of Nike Air force 1's, and now owns a castle in the hills of Italy. After his talk with us he even stuck around for dinner and the daily gelato run!"
Cole: "So that's basically today in a nutshell."
Both: "Connor and Cole out."
[Exeunt]
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Day 6: Chillin', Arezzo, or Cortona and Other Fun and Games
Howdy! Today was sort of a free day. We had the option of staying in Castiglion Fiorentino, going to Arezzo, or traveling to Cortona. The day was beautiful and much cooler than yesterday (due to the continuous drizzle of rain we experienced yesterday). The group that went to Cortona first walked through a market before heading to an Etruscan Museum. It was an amazing place with ruins from an Etruscan site making up parts of the museum walls. It was filled with vases, urns, miniatures, terracotta works, and so much more. After that, my group ate lunch before missing our bus due to a language barrier. Although we were at the correct location and time, we missed a phrase on the bus stop sign mentioning that this stop was closed (Sospeso = suspended/closed in Italian in case you were curious). All ended well though, and we ended up arriving only around thirty minutes late for the next event.
The group that headed to Arezzo enjoyed a day of shopping and visiting ruins of a Roman amphitheater. Our trains to and from Arezzo were delayed, but we had just enough time in the city and enough time to get to our next event back in Castiglion Fiorentino.
Back at the Center, we all participated in a discussion about academics and what to expect from Texas A&M. Unfortunately, we were rudely interrupted by a thunderstorm that decided to bring hail and drenched some of our rooms (the strong wind blew some windows open). Once the rain desisted, we continued on with a group discussion indoors. We finished the day with gelato as usual.
Marie Evans and Miranda Freeman
Class of 2017!!!!!!
The group that headed to Arezzo enjoyed a day of shopping and visiting ruins of a Roman amphitheater. Our trains to and from Arezzo were delayed, but we had just enough time in the city and enough time to get to our next event back in Castiglion Fiorentino.
Back at the Center, we all participated in a discussion about academics and what to expect from Texas A&M. Unfortunately, we were rudely interrupted by a thunderstorm that decided to bring hail and drenched some of our rooms (the strong wind blew some windows open). Once the rain desisted, we continued on with a group discussion indoors. We finished the day with gelato as usual.
Marie Evans and Miranda Freeman
Class of 2017!!!!!!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Day 5: Vineyard and Cortona
Hello everyone!!! This is Emily and Madeline :)
Today was a really exciting and busy day! For breakfast we headed to some of the local cafes for breakfast, as usual, before starting off on our adventure! We were told before the trip that sometimes some girls like to dress up when we visit the vineyard....so we all wore dresses. :) It was about a forty minute walk to the vineyard but it was beautiful and the walk took us through some of the more rural areas. The views, as always around here, were gorgeous, and we took many pictures of the castle on the hill, the flowers, the olive trees, and each other. When we arrived we met Ricardo who runs the vineyard. Walking us around the countryside, Ricardo talked to us about the process of fertilizing the soil, how he protects his vines from fungi as naturally as possible, how they harvest olives and grapes, and of course, how wine and oil are made. After that we sat down to a wine sampling of a variety of wines as well as classic Italian pallet cleansers. We personally didn't care for the wines so we can't remember all of the specific names, but there was a Chardonnay and a Rosato. It was a unique cultural experience, and we were all very grateful towards the family that runs the business for sharing it with us. Some us thought that was lunch...but oh no! There was more! A full three course lunch was waiting for us after our uphill trek back. There was just enough time to catch a short nap if we chose before heading off to Cortona!
Our tour guide is the best tour guide ever! His name is Giovanni, the same tour guide who led us around in Arezzo a few days back. He keeps us laughing nonstop and shares all sorts of interesting and unique stories about the history and himself. We took a bus up to Cortona, a beautiful city on the summit of a hill overlooking the valley below. Though it was a bit rainy, the view was fantastic and we enjoyed every bit of it since it was a break from the heat. During our time in Cortona we visited several churches and the hermitage that Saint Francis of Assisi frequented during his lifetime. While walking we heard music from a distance...and we wondered, "What could that be?" We followed the sound to its source and discovered a choir from London, England on the steps of one of the buildings near the square. We really enjoyed ourselves listening, especially when they started singing songs from the Lion King! There was also a jazz group that was extremely fun to hear. After a dash through the rain to get back to the bus, we headed back to the center for dinner. Gelato of course is always a delicious part of our routine, and we ended the night very full and tired from a long day of walking.
We love Italy!!! It's so much fun, and every day is an unforgettable experience!!! We are SO excited for tomorrow!!! Thanks for making it through our conglomerated writing styles. :) We look forward to sharing more incredible experiences with everyone; getting to know our new friends has been a blast thus far :)
Today was a really exciting and busy day! For breakfast we headed to some of the local cafes for breakfast, as usual, before starting off on our adventure! We were told before the trip that sometimes some girls like to dress up when we visit the vineyard....so we all wore dresses. :) It was about a forty minute walk to the vineyard but it was beautiful and the walk took us through some of the more rural areas. The views, as always around here, were gorgeous, and we took many pictures of the castle on the hill, the flowers, the olive trees, and each other. When we arrived we met Ricardo who runs the vineyard. Walking us around the countryside, Ricardo talked to us about the process of fertilizing the soil, how he protects his vines from fungi as naturally as possible, how they harvest olives and grapes, and of course, how wine and oil are made. After that we sat down to a wine sampling of a variety of wines as well as classic Italian pallet cleansers. We personally didn't care for the wines so we can't remember all of the specific names, but there was a Chardonnay and a Rosato. It was a unique cultural experience, and we were all very grateful towards the family that runs the business for sharing it with us. Some us thought that was lunch...but oh no! There was more! A full three course lunch was waiting for us after our uphill trek back. There was just enough time to catch a short nap if we chose before heading off to Cortona!
Our tour guide is the best tour guide ever! His name is Giovanni, the same tour guide who led us around in Arezzo a few days back. He keeps us laughing nonstop and shares all sorts of interesting and unique stories about the history and himself. We took a bus up to Cortona, a beautiful city on the summit of a hill overlooking the valley below. Though it was a bit rainy, the view was fantastic and we enjoyed every bit of it since it was a break from the heat. During our time in Cortona we visited several churches and the hermitage that Saint Francis of Assisi frequented during his lifetime. While walking we heard music from a distance...and we wondered, "What could that be?" We followed the sound to its source and discovered a choir from London, England on the steps of one of the buildings near the square. We really enjoyed ourselves listening, especially when they started singing songs from the Lion King! There was also a jazz group that was extremely fun to hear. After a dash through the rain to get back to the bus, we headed back to the center for dinner. Gelato of course is always a delicious part of our routine, and we ended the night very full and tired from a long day of walking.
We love Italy!!! It's so much fun, and every day is an unforgettable experience!!! We are SO excited for tomorrow!!! Thanks for making it through our conglomerated writing styles. :) We look forward to sharing more incredible experiences with everyone; getting to know our new friends has been a blast thus far :)
Thursday, July 18, 2013
July 18th
Today we split into two groups to go to an art class and a cooking class. After sleeping in a little bit, most kids went to breakfast before heading off with our groups.
Group 1 left the center with Rossella, the Italian language teacher at the center. We walked down into the valley, about 4 kilometers to a little couple's house on a nice farm. It was a long, hot walk, and we were extremely grateful for water and delicious bread. Rossella gave us a cheat sheet with many Italian words and phrases that were useful to know, such as lavorare l'impasto (to knead). They gave us ingredients and we all sat outside and made our own bread into flower shapes. Then, we made pizza from scratch: one with sausage, pepperoni, and ham, one with olives and ham, and one with tuna fish and onions. We waited for a few minutes while it cooked, and once it was done it was absolutely delicious. After the meal, we got our bread and some olive oil as souvenirs. Some of us walked home and some took a taxi, and then we showered up and relaxed until group time with everyone.
Rachel Rosenberg
After breakfast this morning, group two left the study center for a small art studio in Castiglion Fiorentino. Luckily, our walk was not four kilometers. The art studio is owned by a man who was born in Wyoming, so his instructions for ink printing were not complicated by a language barrier. Unfortunately for me, this means that I do not have any viable excuse for the paper that I contaminated today. Our art lesson was entertaining, even if competence was a struggle. The instructor, Rick, was quite good and it was interesting to see him mix his own oil paints in the studio. His studio also overlooks the city below - not a shabby place for an art studio. After our printing, group two had a nice short walk back to the studio for lunch. I intended to post pictures of the food, but I forgot to take pictures from today. After lunch, we had a group discussion about leadership and StrengthsQuest. With such an intelligent bunch of students, there are always some interesting examples that are used to explain topics of conversation. Physics analogies are generally not appreciated by those among us who are normal enough to not enjoy physics. Today was our first group discussion and it was very insightful. Our student, and adult, leaders truly are doing a fantastic job. There is an excellent balance of relaxed and serious personality, and I think I can speak for the group when I say I appreciate it. I apologize for any grammatical or spelling errors.
Benjamin Jack
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Day 3: Fun Times in Fabulous Florence
Today, we started the day by waking up early to catch our morning train to Florence! The Center was sweet enough to provide small pastries and juice boxes for breakfast, but many of us stopped to grab a bite on the way to the train station. After a beautiful train ride through the Tuscan countryside, we arrived in Firenze S.M.N. train station. We were met by our knowledgeable tour guide, Laura, who provided us with a wealth of knowledge about all of history surrounding us, starting with Santa Maria Novela, and working our way to San Lorenzo and Santa Croce. Most of our tour was spent in Santa Croce, where we were able to appreciate tombs and mausoleums of several famous Italians, including Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. Afterwards, we were allowed to visit the leather crafting school located in the Santa Croce monastery, where we could observe artisans creating and detailing exquisite leather goods. Next, we made our way to a quaint little restaurant for lunch. We ate a three course meal, consisting of bread and pasta, chicken with cream sauce, and finally ice cream! After lunch, the group divided into smaller independent clusters and we each got to choose our next destination. The majority of us climbed to the top of the Duomo, where we could gaze upon the beauties of Florence. Other points of interest included the Science Museum, the Santa Maria Novela Church, and the outdoor markets. After we had been thoroughly exhausted,. we made our way back to the train station to catch our train back to the Center. We had about an hour to relax before we enjoyed a dinner of even more pasta, perfectly seasoned pork, and biscotti. And of course, we made our daily gelato run after having some time to digest.
Ciao for now!!
Maddy Bailey and Adam Lapucha
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