Mambo Italiano!

Week 1 in Castiglion Fiorentino!

This week has been so amazing! So many things have been happening and everything is so new, so it’s all really exciting! I can’t even begin to describe how amazing this town is that we are staying in! Everyone is so accepting and loving towards us and treating us so special! It has been really different adjusting to the lifestyle of Italians. They eat really late and also the stores have such weird hours! Some stores close for a siesta and some don’t. Some are randomly closed on random days and some stay open all week…it’s the strangest thing! But I love this little town and every store we go in they learn our names and love us coming to visit them!

The first week of teaching went really well. I have really enjoyed teaching in a new environment. It is really challenging to teach English, but the kids are so wonderful and most of them really like learning. I am so impressed by how much they already know by 6^th grade! The 6^th graders are my favorite of course because I love young kids, but they are all very sweet and accepting.

The week went by so fast and before we knew it, Friday came. We went to Pisa and Lucca, which are pretty small towns and very close to each other so it was easy to do both in one day! There were just three of us that went to Pisa and then we met two others in Lucca. It was so awesome to see the Leaning Tower and we got to climb to the top of it! When I first spotted the tower, I could not stop laughing because it is just hysterical to me that the tower is leaning as much as it is, and that it has been like that for so many years! It’s really amazing! Climbing to the top was also funny because although its obvious the tower is leaning, I never took into account that the inside would be leaning too and it would be difficult to climb! It was so funny because we were climbing sideways. I could not stop laughing! Next we met our other friends in Lucca and just explored around the beautiful town. It was like one of Italy’s hidden treasures. It was so incredibly beautiful and quaint, filled with parks and pathways to run, walk, or ride bikes! It also had lots of shops and restaurants. It was really enjoyable to spend an afternoon there.

On Saturday, a group of nine girls took a trip to Assisi. It was so much fun! Assisi is the home to St. Francis (of Assisi, obviously) and also St. Claire! So we got to see both of the churches they built and the town had such different architecture than any of the other towns we have been to so far, and that was really amazing to see! Everything was built out of stone and since the town is on top of a hill, the views were breathtaking. After we were finished, we decided to head towards the train station and had planned to just hop on a bus when we saw one, but ended up just walking all the way down. It was about 3 miles! After having already walked all day, needless to say, we were exhausted!  It was a really fun day though, and we got to see a bride and groom taking pictures all over the town! It was so much fun! We could not stop staring.

Sunday we decided to head to Orvieto, which is another small hill town in Tuscany! It was one of my favorite places to far! It was such a fun, chill day! We just walked around and explored the little town. They are known for ceramics and all the work was really pretty. I even got a few souvenirs!  We went to eat at this famous place called Charlie’s and it was amazing! We even ordered wine, and I tried it (It’s part of the culture, mom!) it was good! We then went to get gelato and ate it while we walked around. We went down into the bottom of St. Patrick’s well, which was really cool! Then we headed home for our first dinner in Santa Chiara! It was good food, but pretty Americanized! I am finally starting to adjust to our schedule, and had a pretty good day at school and play practice today! I love the children here and can’t imagine leaving them! Good thing I still have 2 months here!

Hope this finds everyone doing well, and I pray that God showers his blessing on you as He has done for me! 

We are the world...

I love Castiglion Fiorentino (CF)! I am in heaven here. You would not believe the sights we have seen and how friendly this town is! They are so willing to learn English and also to teach us Italian. I have already learned so much. We are currently staying in a Hotel at the bottom of CF. There is a very big hill separating the top and bottom of CF and everyday, most of the time more than once a day, we hike up the long trek to the top of the hill where Santa Chiara (where we are staying) and Dante Media (the school) are at. I am kinda over climbing that hill, so I am very glad tomorrow we will finally be moving into Santa Chiara! Our adventures have been so wonderful. This week was our first week to teach in the school, and while it is a little bit stressful, it is also very rewarding! The kids are all so excited to learn English, and they love having us as teachers.

On Tuesday, they had a surprise welcome party for us after school! We walked into the room they had chairs set up for all of us and surprised us by singing “We are the World” to us in English! They are all so talented and it was truly the most beautiful and moving thing I have ever witnessed! All of us girls were crying like babies! I wish you all could have been there to hear these kids! If you haven’t heard the song here are a few of the lyrics:

We are the world, we are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So lets start giving

There's a choice we're making

We're saving our own lives

Its true we'll make a better day

Just you and me

It was the best experience ever and after we had a reception with Italian party food and COKE! Haha it was so fun!

Today we held auditions for our play Wizard of Oz and the girl that was cast as Dorothy’s name was Claire! She is a precious little girl and I can’t wait to get to know her better! Also today in class while I was teaching one of the girls raised her hand and said she had a question. So of course I was like sure, ask away! And she responds with “You look exactly like Rachel from Glee!” We were all laughing so hard and everyone in the class was agreeing! It was hilarious! I guess Glee is universal!

I have really enjoyed living here for the four days I have so far, and I can’t wait for many other adventures! We are starting to plan our weekend trips and spring break trips, so I can’t wait to update you on that!

Again, Thanks for reading!

Buona Sera! (Good Afternoon!)

"Believe me. You won't believe me!"

Wednesday, March 14th

Today we woke up early and packed our bags and headed with a smaller group to the Colosseum to actually go inside today. It was awesome! So cool to see the inside and learn about the history! We also got pretty cheap tickets away from the Colosseum (we should do this when we go back, Mom), so I felt pretty good about just walking through, but not having to spend too much time in it.  We then walked across the street to the Roman Forum and walked around inside of there for a little bit.  After walking around for a little while we decided to go to Paul’s prison. We walked around in circles for a little while since none of us knew where we were going and were pretty stupid because we did not pay attention to signs. However, we decided to look at a map, HA!, and then found it. The prison was amazing! It brought our whole group to tears because it was so crazy to see where Paul was actually held and wrote letters! It was a very small place but surreal to all of us. (Mom, we have to go back here! It was completely worth it to me!)

We finished touring and then went walking around for lunch and ended up stopping at this cute little restaurant and all ordered pizza. Again, it was delicious! I am going to be such a snob when I come back! After lunch we walked our bags through the town a bit more, which is not easy and frankly already getting old. I am so ready to be settled.  We then loaded our bags and things on the bus and  have been driving for about an hour so far! We are headed to La Pievuccuia, for a few days and I am super excited about it!

Saturday, March 17th

So La Pievuccia was amazing! It was one of the quaintest and most peaceful places I’ve ever been too. It is hard to describe in words exactly how all of us felt being there.  The cities have been so much fun, but La Pievuccia is in the country and is a local vineyard where they grow all their own food, wine, and olive oil. The food was all organic and amazing (and gourmet)! We had at least 3 courses for every meal, but dinner was generally 4 or 5 courses! A little overwhelming but the food was all so good we didn’t mind eating it all! I wish you could all try the food we had; you would never want to eat anywhere else.

At La Pievuccia we had a workshop where we went over all our lesson plans and planned everything out! It was a little stressful but also exciting! We also got lots of breaks to go have quiet time, take a nap, read, or go for walks. I have started the first Hunger Games book and am already addicted!  It was super peaceful and so relaxing! So much fun!

Funny story from here:   Caroline and I were exploring when we first arrived and came upon some chicken and geese. We weren’t too worried seeing as how one of the chickens came right up to us lke he was posing for a picture. However, before we knew it the king goose was squawking and full on sprinting after us! So naturally we bolted, but I was sure one of us was going to get bit in the butt! I mean it was literally inches away from us! Needless to day, we are in good enough shape to out run a goose, thank goodness! It was a pretty hilarious sight and all the other girls were cracking up at us! Lesson learned: Stay away from geese…they are very territorial!

Sunday, March 18th 

So after La Pievuccia, we took turns riding in a car to drop our bags off in the hotel in Castiglion Fiorentino, which was about 7 minutes away. Then we walked to the train station and headed to Florence! It was about an hour and fifteen-minute ride into the city, which was not bad at all!  Once we got into the city we met a tour guide who took us all around the city telling us interesting facts. Honestly, I was not paying much attention to this part because I couldn’t hear her very well and was too distracted by the gypsies (they totally freaked me out!) and I was starving! Eventually we were done with our tour and it was lunchtime then after we were free to do whatever in the city, so we went to the markets and I bought a purse and will be going back for scarves! So excited! It was one of my favorite places to go so far! I also really enjoyed eating gelato (Italian ice cream…but way better) and people watching! The Italian boys are really living up to their reputation! But it is pretty funny and I haven’t been too bothered by it so far! (not that I enjoy it either). We are now about to be living in our true city and tomorrow is exploration day, and I couldn’t be more excited! From the little I have seen of it so far it is amazing!

Look below for pictures on Facebook! The internet is too slow to upload them on here! So sorry!

Link to Facebook Pictures

When in Rome" Part 2

3/13/12

 

Today was another adventure filled day that I will never forget! Today was “see all of Rome in one day, no matter how bad your feet hurt day!” It was a completely exhausting, but really great day! There is so much history in this city that I never really cared about before, but it is so interesting and amazing to see it right there first hand! Today the major hotspots were the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Plus a bunch of other really amazing castles and churches! Today in total we did 8 hours worth of walking, but I am not complaining one bit! I had my fantastic Merrells on so I was good to go! Thank goodness for those things! I did run into a little tiff at the Vatican though. I did not know that you can’t bring a backpack in, and of course I am the only girl who did, so I was forced to check it in a holding center, which was really safe and everything. But our guide was kind of mad at me for bringing it because we were not coming back to the place where they were holding it at the end. I had a little panic attack, but at the end he instructed me how to go find it, so me and one of the professors went to go get it! It turned out to be really easy and I was so proud of myself for finding my own way around Rome!

After all that walking, we were all so tired so we decided to come back to the hotel just to chill for the night! Hence why I have two blog updates tonight!

Tomorrow we are going back to tour the Colosseum and Forum, and then hopefully to see the prison where Paul was held, under the Forum! I am so excited to see that!

After we finish that, we will get on a bus and ride the La Pievuiccia, a vineyard/bed and breakfast retreat place in the Tuscan hills, where we will stay until Saturday. We will be having workshops to get ready teaching in the schools all while enjoying Tuscany! I am very excited to relax a little but because the past few days have had a very fast pace!

I will be posting pictures after we get wifi again, probably on Saturday or Sunday! Thanks everyone for keeping up with my blog! I hope you are enjoying reading about my experiences! Hope you are all having a wonderful Spring Break, wherever in the world you may be!

PS: I have to share that JeanCarlo made up this word for us “Texan girls”---“Ciaowdy!”---a mix of Ciao and Howdy! So cute! We all love this crazy old man!

When in Rome!

3/12/12:

Whew! We made it! Well I finally made it to Rome after a VERY long and stressful day. I don’t know if I have ever rushed so much in my life! Our first flight was supposedly on time, but by the time we actually got to the flying part, it was well over a half hour late! The plane ride was long, and by the end, my whole body was aching. I did sleep for a few hours, but mainly watched 2 movies and was entertained but the French girl sitting next to me! She was a doll! I just wished I could have talked to her.

Anyways next, after the first 10 traveling hours, we arrived in Paris, where the entire airport is under construction (of course), and we were already 45 minutes late! By the time we went through passport checks and security again, our flight to Rome was LONG gone! So we waited in the airport and luckily they gave us a complimentary lunch and soda in the airport, which was my first taste of non-American food. I had a tomato pizza (that was ice cold) but unusually good! Y’all should be so proud of me, I am not even looking at what I am eating, just trying everything new, and so far I have not been disappointed!

Finally, after we were all settled to catch the next flight to Rome, we relaxed and chatted in the airport, then hopped on the place and everyone immediately fell asleep before take off! I have to say the blow-up neck pillow and eye mask were heaven on earth today. After sleeping for a good two hours straight, we finally landed and got all our bags together (  I think we each brought three bags, such girls!), and yes we were definitely those crazy Americans and all the Italians were laughing, but we were having a good time just making the most of it! It took a little while to get my phone stuff squared away and then of course we had to run to catch the train. ( If you haven’t been picturing the Home Alone running through the airport scene already---you should be by now!) It was very stressful carrying all those bags, keeping up with 27 people, and loading and unloading everything all while keeping your precious passport and train ticket in your hand. Whew! I am exhausted!

However, after what was the longest day of my life (literally stayed up for 24 hours!), we finally met up with JeanCarlo (sp?) who we were all very relieved to see! He greeted us with a welcoming Italian kiss and let us on the mile walk to our hotel, with all our bags mind you! Anyways after what seemed like an eternity we finally made it to Hotel Colosseum and we freshened up then headed out for dinner! We were all snapping pictures like crazy of our first walk through the city, with no bags, and we were eating up every second of it! Our meal was SO delicious too! We had lasagna, a whole chicken leg, salad, French fries (cooked especially for us), and then a lemon sorbet for dessert! It was amazing! I really enjoyed just sitting around the table chatting with these girls who are quickly becoming my best friends!

I am having a wonderful time so far and looking forward to the other adventures that will be coming my way!

Arrivederci!

Bon Voyage!

Well, yesterday I had a going away party with some of my closest friends. They are really amazing. THE best! I had such a fun time chatting and catching up with my friends before I leave the country for three months. Here are a few pictures from the party!

The worst part is that when I get back, most of my friends will be off doing summer things or on mission trips, so some of them I won't see for five months...really sad.

Anyways I cannot think about that stuff right now because this week is going to be emotional enough as it is. Don't get me wrong, I am getting really excited about Italy! Only 8 more days! WOW! Everything is slowly starting to sink in and my semester is coming to a close (school wise that is--thank goodness!). It has been a crazy semester to say the least and I am very excited that it is almost over. 

Many of you may be wondering about how this whole thing is working out with school and such so I will briefly explain! (sorry for those of you who have heard this a million times!)

This semester I am in special classes that are for my major, but only girls that are going to Italy are in them. This has been great because we have all been able to get to know each other before we go live together for 2+ months.

I am taking 12 hours right now, but I am almost done because our courses end before we leave so we are not so bogged down with classes while in Italy, which is a GREAT thing! Once we get there, Monday through Thursday we will be teaching in the Italian junior high school in the small town we are living in. I am very excited about this opportunity! Then Friday-Sunday we get free travel! YAY!

Looking forward to Italy is the only thing that is getting be through this semester because cramming all my classes before I leave has made for a crazy past 8 weeks! In total I will have read 9 children's novels and 2 textbooks, written 10 papers, created 4 lesson plans, and done a major group project/presentation! No big deal though!

Needless to say I have been a tad bit stressed out and am very glad for it to be almost over!

Anyways enough about the boring school stuff! 

With only 8 days left, I am finding myself constantly lost in daydreams about walking through little Italian villas, and riding trains to Austria, Germany, and France. Can you blame me?? 

But also I am a little bit stressed/nervous about packing and making sure all the little things are taken care of before I leave.  

If you could take a minute and pray that God can calm my nerves and that everything goes smoothly! 

For those of you that know me, you know this is not an ordinary thing for me to just hop on a plane out of the country away from family and friends for 3 months, but I am so looking forward to growing and becoming more adventurous! 

Well, sorry for the long post! Hope all is well with everyone who is reading this!

Arrivederci! (Good-bye!)