Time really is flying by now. It's hard to believe that we really have only a week left in Italy before we commence our long journey home.
At the moment the students are in the Language Lab for their last session for the week. I decided that we all needed a bit of culture so after lunch today we checked out the National Gallery of Umbria, which is bursting with amazing paintings by people like Fra' Angelico and Piero della Francesca. Michelle and I made a purchase for our new Language Centre - a picture of 'The Annunciation' by Fra'Angelico since our building will be named in honour of St Gabriel. From the sublime to the ridiculous, the students then rushed off to the laundromat to ensure clean clothes for our trip up to Venice tomorrow. Much to their shock, a 6am bus ride to the station awaits them, but then I think there might be a little bit of snoozing on the train. We're back on Sunday night, so no doubt I'll do a big update at the start of next week. Tonight we're dining out to have a typical Umbrian dish called 'torta al testo', perhaps followed by a crepe or two. Then it will be time for a quick passeggiata before a very early night. Venice, via Verona, beckons!
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
Tripping around Tuscany
Ciao!
It's a sunny, yet rather fresh, Monday back in Perugia after our Tuscan adventure. We set off on Friday morning 
via Perugia's MiniMetro for the station to catch our regional train to Florence. The MiniMetro is easily the most convenient way to get from the centro storico to the bottom of the hill ie to the station - when it hasn't 'lost its memory', that is. More on that later. Anyway, for some members of the group, this was their first experience riding the little monorail, which starts off a bit like being on a roller coaster before you cruise over roads, passing apartment buildings and the like. It's very cute.
via Perugia's MiniMetro for the station to catch our regional train to Florence. The MiniMetro is easily the most convenient way to get from the centro storico to the bottom of the hill ie to the station - when it hasn't 'lost its memory', that is. More on that later. Anyway, for some members of the group, this was their first experience riding the little monorail, which starts off a bit like being on a roller coaster before you cruise over roads, passing apartment buildings and the like. It's very cute.Anyway, we made it to the station with enough time to savour a coffee at the bar before we installed ourselves and our supposedly light luggage for the two hour train ride. Note to the boys - you really don't need to bring 3 different outfits in your hand luggage, thus leaving no room for your shampoo, or alternatively, any purchases that you would subsequently make! Our train ride past
Lake Trasimeno (Italy's largest lake) was beautiful and relaxing, and almost before we knew it, we were pulling into Florence's main station. A short walk around the corner had us checking in at the amazing Hotel Aprile before demands for lunch drove us in search of food. A visit to a little osteria with an extremely helpful waiter luckily replenished our energy because by now the thoughts of Florence's shopping delights were calling, or maybe yelling. Our first stop was the Mercato Nuovo, otherwise known as the market with the bronze Porcellino. This was followed by a longer visit to the bigger San Lorenzo markets, where the first forays into bartering started. An hour later, and laden with shopping, we headed back to the Aprile to drop off our bags. Another coffee stop along with a ride on the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica preceded a spot of sightseeing this time - the Ponte Vecchio with its shops of impressiv
e bling and Piazza della Signoria with its impressive statues. We 
took some time to observe the locals out for their passeggiate in the dusk, while Dee-Arna caught up with an old school friend, Cheylie, and some of the girls were chatted up by some brave local teenagers. One claimed to have his heart broken after Jennifer declined his own invitation to come to Australia and marry her. Mopping up the tears, it was clearly time to leave the piazza. Dinner at the restaurant just down from the hotel finished off the day, before a small group of us accompanied Cheylie back to her hostel, via another stroll past Piazza della Signoria so that the boys could enjoy the views once more.
Lake Trasimeno (Italy's largest lake) was beautiful and relaxing, and almost before we knew it, we were pulling into Florence's main station. A short walk around the corner had us checking in at the amazing Hotel Aprile before demands for lunch drove us in search of food. A visit to a little osteria with an extremely helpful waiter luckily replenished our energy because by now the thoughts of Florence's shopping delights were calling, or maybe yelling. Our first stop was the Mercato Nuovo, otherwise known as the market with the bronze Porcellino. This was followed by a longer visit to the bigger San Lorenzo markets, where the first forays into bartering started. An hour later, and laden with shopping, we headed back to the Aprile to drop off our bags. Another coffee stop along with a ride on the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica preceded a spot of sightseeing this time - the Ponte Vecchio with its shops of impressiv
e bling and Piazza della Signoria with its impressive statues. We 
took some time to observe the locals out for their passeggiate in the dusk, while Dee-Arna caught up with an old school friend, Cheylie, and some of the girls were chatted up by some brave local teenagers. One claimed to have his heart broken after Jennifer declined his own invitation to come to Australia and marry her. Mopping up the tears, it was clearly time to leave the piazza. Dinner at the restaurant just down from the hotel finished off the day, before a small group of us accompanied Cheylie back to her hostel, via another stroll past Piazza della Signoria so that the boys could enjoy the views once more. Saturday dawned beautiful and sunny. Sharon nervously awaited the arrival of her long lost half-sister from the UK, along with her brother-in-law, niece and nephew. Once they met though, it was all smiles and Sharon was whisked off to spend the day with them. The rest of us jumped on a train to Pisa (according to Jennifer, it's 'just like pizza with an s') where, after some confusion regarding exactly w
hich bus we needed and being adopted by a local nonna who pointed out the sights as we travelled, we made it to the Piazza dei Miracoli for the obligatory photos holding up the Tower. The students declined the opportunity to spend 15 euro to climb to the top, pottering instead in the many souvenir shops along the side of the campo. Then it was just a matter of catching the bus back to the station for a bit of lunch before our return to Florence. Because of the perfect weather, Michelle accompanied Gloria, Anastasia, Dee-Arna, Nick and Luke up the 414 steps to enjoy the view over the city from the Belltower, while Rachel had her caricature drawn. After the descent and subsequent recovery, as well as a visit inside the Cathedral, some bartering over 'real fake' sunglasses took place before we decided to take advantage of the perfect 
light by climbing to the top of Piazzale Michangelo. This gave us a breathtaking view over the city, and the chance for tired muscles to rest from all the walking before we headed back to the hotel and dinner at the same restaurant. 
While some people declined the chance to have a post-dinner passeggiata, others set off to savour the sights. This included observing the antics of the street sellers bundling up their wares in large white sheets and hiding behind lamp posts each time the police did a circuit. As this happened every few minutes, making purchases of bags or more sunglasses became a little fraught at times. However, it was highly amusing when they stalked us around corners after deals were interrupted in this way. One more look at the Ponte Vecchio and the lights reflected in the river and it was definitely time to return to the hotel for a well-earned snooze.
hich bus we needed and being adopted by a local nonna who pointed out the sights as we travelled, we made it to the Piazza dei Miracoli for the obligatory photos holding up the Tower. The students declined the opportunity to spend 15 euro to climb to the top, pottering instead in the many souvenir shops along the side of the campo. Then it was just a matter of catching the bus back to the station for a bit of lunch before our return to Florence. Because of the perfect weather, Michelle accompanied Gloria, Anastasia, Dee-Arna, Nick and Luke up the 414 steps to enjoy the view over the city from the Belltower, while Rachel had her caricature drawn. After the descent and subsequent recovery, as well as a visit inside the Cathedral, some bartering over 'real fake' sunglasses took place before we decided to take advantage of the perfect 
light by climbing to the top of Piazzale Michangelo. This gave us a breathtaking view over the city, and the chance for tired muscles to rest from all the walking before we headed back to the hotel and dinner at the same restaurant. While some people declined the chance to have a post-dinner passeggiata, others set off to savour the sights. This included observing the antics of the street sellers bundling up their wares in large white sheets and hiding behind lamp posts each time the police did a circuit. As this happened every few minutes, making purchases of bags or more sunglasses became a little fraught at times. However, it was highly amusing when they stalked us around corners after deals were interrupted in this way. One more look at the Ponte Vecchio and the lights reflected in the river and it was definitely time to return to the hotel for a well-earned snooze.Unfortunately, Sunday brought rain and cold winds - a huge contrast to the preceding days when everyone had been out basking in the unexpectedly balmy weather. Sharon once again met up with her family so the rest of us took the opportunity for one last shopping splurge, an extended lunch at one of the pizzerie near the big markets (where Gloria astonished us all with the ability to devour her pizza in 
record time, although to be fair she was 'starving'!), and a visit to Santa Croce 
with its tombs and memorials to famous Tuscans such as Michelangelo, Gallileo and Leonardo. Michelle was especially thrilled to note the many statues of Dante to be found around Florence, and will undoubtedly be rushing off to buy a new copy of La Divina Commedia as I write this. By now it was time to return to the hotel to pick up our bags and collect Sharon for our train ride back to Perugia. The journey passed quietly as many people snoozed, although Sharon's impromptu beauty salon and make-over of Rebecca brought some entertainment. A ride back on the MiniMetro was scuppered by the strange sign indicating that the little train had lost its memory and was therefore not allowing anyone to actually ride the empty carriages, so we braved the eratic 
bus system instead. Finally arriving in Piazza Italia, the only things that remained for our weekend to be complete was a quick dinner and a relatively early night in order to prepare for another week of full on lessons. Ah, but it was fun!!!
record time, although to be fair she was 'starving'!), and a visit to Santa Croce 
with its tombs and memorials to famous Tuscans such as Michelangelo, Gallileo and Leonardo. Michelle was especially thrilled to note the many statues of Dante to be found around Florence, and will undoubtedly be rushing off to buy a new copy of La Divina Commedia as I write this. By now it was time to return to the hotel to pick up our bags and collect Sharon for our train ride back to Perugia. The journey passed quietly as many people snoozed, although Sharon's impromptu beauty salon and make-over of Rebecca brought some entertainment. A ride back on the MiniMetro was scuppered by the strange sign indicating that the little train had lost its memory and was therefore not allowing anyone to actually ride the empty carriages, so we braved the eratic 
bus system instead. Finally arriving in Piazza Italia, the only things that remained for our weekend to be complete was a quick dinner and a relatively early night in order to prepare for another week of full on lessons. Ah, but it was fun!!!Thursday, 8 April 2010
Visitors on our trip
You may be aware that our official trip mascot is a bright pink monkey named Mojo. Upon our arriva
l in Italy, we also discovered a new one - Little G, hand crafted by Michelle Jeczalik. In addition to thes
e two, we also have Uncle Gavin and his family who pop up in front of import
ant monuments. 
l in Italy, we also discovered a new one - Little G, hand crafted by Michelle Jeczalik. In addition to thes
e two, we also have Uncle Gavin and his family who pop up in front of import
ant monuments. 
I thought they merited their own post, which we will add to as our trip continues...
Pottering about Perugia
Well, we've been in Perugia for a week already - time is flying by. Classes have started and everyone is getting used to different teaching styles (scary Ersilia and fun Luisa for the students, while Michelle has Marcella aka 'Loud and Louder' due to her vocal strength). Classes go for 50 minutes, all in Italian, with a 10 minute break to run down to the uni bar for a coffee and a snac
k before the next round starts. At the moment, the kids are all doing a session in the Language Lab where they get to work on their pronunciation. Listening to the tape and then recording your own version is quite entertaining, especially if the teacher is listening in and you have n
o idea that she can listen to people at random. No doubt, we'll hear all about it when the class is over. Rebecca and Sharon are also hugely excited because tonight's free movie at the uni is one of their favourite films, Tre Metri sopra il Cielo. Frances will be bit envious back home perhaps. Yesterday, Lori departed for her early return to Australia, via Frankfurt. She should be just about in Adelaide by now, and reliving her stories of meeting her Italian family members with everyone back home.
k before the next round starts. At the moment, the kids are all doing a session in the Language Lab where they get to work on their pronunciation. Listening to the tape and then recording your own version is quite entertaining, especially if the teacher is listening in and you have n
o idea that she can listen to people at random. No doubt, we'll hear all about it when the class is over. Rebecca and Sharon are also hugely excited because tonight's free movie at the uni is one of their favourite films, Tre Metri sopra il Cielo. Frances will be bit envious back home perhaps. Yesterday, Lori departed for her early return to Australia, via Frankfurt. She should be just about in Adelaide by now, and reliving her stories of meeting her Italian family members with everyone back home. Tomorrow we're off to Florence so there will be a lot more to report on when we return. In the meantime, enjoy the photos of us enjoying life here in Perugia!
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Buona Pasqua a tutti!
Saluti da Perugia!
It's Easter Saturday afternoon and two days without internet acccess stretch before us, so this will be the last update for a few days at least. The sun is still beaming down and the Corso is
bustling with people, locals and tourists alike, who are out enjoying the food stalls and outdoor cafes. We were going to go to Assisi this afternoon, but that plan was scuppered by incorrect information given to me regarding bus times at the tourist office. Oh well, best laid plans often go pear-shaped. We'll just have to go on Monday, so long as the beautiful weather holds.
bustling with people, locals and tourists alike, who are out enjoying the food stalls and outdoor cafes. We were going to go to Assisi this afternoon, but that plan was scuppered by incorrect information given to me regarding bus times at the tourist office. Oh well, best laid plans often go pear-shaped. We'll just have to go on Monday, so long as the beautiful weather holds.
Since our arrival in Perugia, we have all begun to become familiar with the centro storico. Some have discovered the delicacies of the food stalls, while others have tested out various cafes and have already found their favourite one. Tomorrow we'll venture into the Cathedral to go to Easter Sunday mass, but otherwise it will be a day to rest and explore Perugia a little more.
University classes begin on Tuesday due to the Easter break. It was all going far too smoothly on Friday when we arrived at Palazzo Gallenga for the entrance tests. Besides Michelle, all of the others have ended up in the same class together. While there's safety in numbers, hopefully English will be at a minimum except during the breaks! Our smooth run ended, however, at the Secretary's Office when we went to sort out the student cards. Unbeknownst to me, the Italians had decided to change the law regarding the need to get study visas - so of course, we didn't have them. After a bit of drama (ie mea culpa, mea culpa, mea culpa), some more pleading, hand wringing, stringing out a bit of a sob story about how we had come all the way from Australia and some more grovelling, the problem was swiftly solved by the head of the enrolment office declaring that everyone was, in actual fact, an Italian citizen merely resident overseas. A bit of an adjustment on the enrolment forms and presto! It was all sorted out. With the newly acquired student cards and two very different timetables despite it being for the same class (no doubt a mystery which will be solved on Tuesday), we headed off to the uni bar for a coffee and snack to recover from our ordeal.
Having ac
complished the somewhat daunting task of enrolling at uni, the next mission was to visit the laundromat. Again, this wasn't entirely without drama. The big washing machine used by Nick, Luke, Sharon and Rebecca managed to flood everywhere, while the one used by Gloria and Dee-Arna inexplicably switched itself off mid-cycle. With the prospect of not being able to rescue their clothes, urgent phone calls were made. After three attempts, the man finally came and it was all sorted out. Ah, small challenges make life interesting here!
complished the somewhat daunting task of enrolling at uni, the next mission was to visit the laundromat. Again, this wasn't entirely without drama. The big washing machine used by Nick, Luke, Sharon and Rebecca managed to flood everywhere, while the one used by Gloria and Dee-Arna inexplicably switched itself off mid-cycle. With the prospect of not being able to rescue their clothes, urgent phone calls were made. After three attempts, the man finally came and it was all sorted out. Ah, small challenges make life interesting here! Now that we are acclimatising a little more, here's a list of everyone's main impressions about our overseas visit so far:
Rebecca liked the street sellers at the Trevi Fountain, but thought it was strange that when she went to the effort of speaking Italian, people would reply in English. Or maybe, the girl to whom she was speaking just thought she was weird because she said that she liked her shoes!
Rachel liked the Nike shop in Rome but lamented how expensive it was. Not to be put off, she's enjoying the different shopping experiences. No surprise there though - she is Rocco's sister after all.
Sharon enjoyed showing everyone 'her' city of Pompei, especially her design ideas for interior decoration. Besides that, her hyperventilating at the designer stores in the Via Condotti in Rome was quite memorable.
Jennifer thought it was rather funny to witness a French mass happening on the Spanish Steps in Rome. Talk about confusing!
Nick and Luke have been rather taken with the fast cars and the lack of road rules. They've also decided that they want A4-sized P plates for their cars back home, preferably drawn using a thick texta. They are also still laughing about the Indian accents of the street vendors at the Trevi Fountain, and at the Canadian tourist who was extremely excited to buy a big bottle of mineral water at Pompei.
Gloria has discovered the joys of drinking coffee in a BIG way. Having recovered from her washing machine drama (during which we all admired the colourful array of socks and underwear visible in the machine), she decided that her favourite place so far has been St Peter's.
Anastasia liked the Colosseum and the dressed up gladiators posing for photos. She was also very impressed to discover the Church of Sant'Anastasia in Rome.
Lori likes the views from different points around Perugia. Che bella!
Dee-Arna feels like she is back home. She's been busy rediscovering her favourite shops and cafes, and no doubt will take some time to enjoy soaking up the sun on the steps of the Cathedral.
Have a wonderful Easter!
Friday, 2 April 2010
Pompei
Thanks to the TMC School Board, we headed off by train for our day trip to Pompei. Unlike the organised and official visit from the last trip, this time we decided to do the DIY version. So, off we headed on our InterCity train without incident. Once in Naples though, due to some unclear signage, actually finding the Circumvesuviana entrance was quite a challenge. However, a friendly local helped us out and finally we were on our way. This confidence proved to be slightly misplaced as the train to which we were directed didn't actually happen to be going where we wanted. After a scenic route (and four changes of trains) we eventually made it to Pompei. Here we discovered to our delight that all of the students could be admitted for free and that the responsible adults in the group only had to pay a concession rate. Bonus! This was due to the deal effected by Don Dunstan years ago about a cultural exchange with Adelaide. The only problem came with trying to convince the ticket seller that places such as Woodville South, Prospect and Rose Park were actually part of Adelaide, since our passports rather annoyingly failed to state this explicitly.
Once inside, we checked out the main sites - the cafe, followed by the Baths, the various villas and temples, the agora, or market place, and of course the body casts - Pompei's most chillin
g reminder of the threat posed by the looming Vesuvius. A bit more of a stroll around the streets and then it was time to head back. In contrast to the journey to Pompei, our return was like clockwork with amazing connections. Before we knew it, we were back in Rome for an early dinner and a good sleep.
g reminder of the threat posed by the looming Vesuvius. A bit more of a stroll around the streets and then it was time to head back. In contrast to the journey to Pompei, our return was like clockwork with amazing connections. Before we knew it, we were back in Rome for an early dinner and a good sleep.
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