Day 2: Arezzo

This morning, we were welcomed by Sharon, who runs the center. We learned some of the history of Santa Chiara and some tips for getting around town and fully embracing the Italian lifestyle. Some students went to local cafes this morning for breakfast and enjoyed Italy's finest pastries and cappuccinos, which we later learned are an example of the ever prevalent influence of the Catholic Church. The white top and black coffee bottom led to the drink being named after the friars' white cappucco, or hood, and the brown robes he wears. Following the orientation, we received a brief Italian lesson from Rossella and tried out our best Italian accents, complete with hand gestures and all. How to order food and navigate the town were some of the things we learned. We also learned the Italian pleasantries so as to ease the reputation of rude Americans everywhere - changing the world one please and thank-you at a time.
After our Italian lesson, we enjoyed what the women at the center had prepared for lunch: risotto with fresh vegetables and olives, tomatoes and mozzarella, hard-boiled eggs, prosciutto, and a garbanzo bean and chick pea salad. For dessert we had fresh fruit. With our bellies full, we headed down the hills to the train station where we took the train to Arezzo, a town about 15 minutes from Castiglion Fiorentino. There we met our tour guide Giovanni, a native of Cortona and an expert in the history of Tuscany. In Arezzo, we toured two different churches and saw the frescoes of Francesco, one of the first artists of the Renaissance. We were able to see the most well-preserved face of Mary Magdalene. The experience was truly enriching. The sheer history of the buildings was reason enough to truly feel how young eighteen years is in the span of the history of the world. Giovanni was quick to point out how the Italians built parts of the cities across centuries: stone would be from Roman times, door frames from the 1300s, handles from the 1500s, and renovations anywhere from the 1800s to the 1970s. Giovanni kept us laughing up the thousands of hills we had to walk! When we did finally reach the top of the city,  one of the most beautiful parks in Tuscany awaited us, with the most incredible view of the Tuscan countryside. Learning the layout of these Italian towns was like looking at the rings on a tree trunk, every new generation built upon the foundation already laid. Within the city, we walked through ancient Roman arches, but departed through a train station dating to Fascism. We also got to see the plaza where part of the film "Life is Beautiful" was filmed.  Departing Arezzo, we arrived back at the center for a delicious dinner of pesto bow-tie pasta, beef slices, cooked zucchini, carrots, and potatoes. For dessert, we had fresh watermelon. Following dinner, we received a formal introduction to Castiglion Fiorentino from the former mayor and a current city council member. During this formal introduction, we were rained on but were told it was a sign of good luck. We were then briefed for our day in Florence tomorrow and followed that with our nightly walk to the Coco Palm for some delicious gelato. Some of us even used our newly acquired Italian skills to order. un cono di gelato. Everyone is tired from our long day of walking and ready to visit Florence tomorrow!

Ciao for now!
Hope Miller and Arianne Couch

View from the right of the center at 7:15 this morning.
 



#bonding #champefitzhugh2k13 #takingItaly



View from the garden wall near the entrance to the historic part of Castiglion Fiorentino.