The end is here

Hello, from sunny South Carolina,

Yes, I am stateside once again, trying desperately to revert back to East Coast time and see as many family members and friends that I can before I head down to Charleston for the summer.

My trip... how could I possibly attempt to sum it up for you? I have seen beauty in a way I couldn't have dreamed up. The landscape. The hillside towns. The art. I've experienced love and compassion from complete strangers these last few months. The town of Cortona opened their hundreds of arms and took all of us students in. I am sure that I was loved by people who didn't even know my name ... they didn't have to know. They have enough compassion to spread around to even me. I've been satisfied, full of wine and pasta and wild boar and chocolate. I laughed with friends over a cup of coffee for hours, though I can't quite remember what was said. That wasn't important, but I built new friendships, strong friendships. I already miss them.

My train ride from Cortona to the airport in Rome was bittersweet. The scenery never ceases to amaze me. I can sit at the window and watch every mile go by, glued to the glass. But this last train ride wasn't quite the same. I was saying good-bye to Cortona and its people and Tuscany and Italy. Good-bye gelato and Piazza Signorelli. Good-bye sunrises over the lake and sunsets behind the mountain. Good-bye to the slow pace of Italian living, the warm embraces from neighbors. I arrived in Rome pretty sad, to say the least. I climbed into my hotel bed early, because I was leaving early the next morning to fly to London, then Chicago, then home to Charlotte. I arrived 21 hours after leaving my hotel room, exhausted, but so happy to be hugging my familiy once again. As loving as the Italian families were to me, there is no place like home. No hug like your dad's hug and no kiss like your momma's kiss. It's good to be home. I love Italy, and am sad to leave, but home is home.

The end is near

The title sounds a little more morbid than may be necessary, but it is true. The end of my whirlwind tour and study of Italy is approaching, and I have mixed emotions, as I am sure that you can imagine. My family and friends and American coffee and my own pillow and Charleston, they have my heart and I am so excited to return home to them. But I have so many new loves now, competing for priority, like pasta. And the view that is unbeatable, no matter where you are... in the train, on the hillside looking out, in the valley looking up, by the lake. And cappuccinos that take less than 30 seconds to make, although everything else here requires you to take your time. 2 hours spent over dinner, enjoying wine and several courses and laughing over misunderstandings, which happens often in translations. I know I will miss this things, as I have already started missing them! Last night at dinner, eating ricotta and fresh spinach pasta, I announced to the table how much I missed the food... the food that I was putting in my mouth!

I have been traveling a good deal, and resting a good deal. I think I could spend the rest of my days in Lake Como, but unforunately only spent 3. I hiked the trails around the mountains and took the ferry to the surrounding lakeside towns and strolled by the water. It was picture perfect. Ahh. I have returned to Cortona for a few days, to say goodbye to friends and drink one last coffee at my favorite cafe before I head to Rome. I have moved my ticket up, and so I will spend less than a week there before I leave to come back to South Carolina.

Unfortunately, I have misplaced my camera cord, so it may be awhile before I can upload more pictures. But, like usual, my camera couldn°t catch the magic of Venice and the beauty of the lake or the atmosphere in Milan. Oh well... I will just have to return to remember accurate the way these places look and feel. But for now, I am happy to begin packing up and heading home. I love you all!

Caseu

Whirlwind Tour of Northern Italy

Hello from Milan!

This is will be a whirlwind of a posting, as I only have 10 minutes on the internet. I'm currently in a super posh hotel in Milan, thanks to our friend Mel who somehow scored an amazing hotel in the middle of the city for cheap. We've been running through Venice and Milan like there's no tomorrow, and I'm off to the lake district (specificially Lake Como via Menaggio) this afternoon.

Venice, ahh Venice. I almost don't want to approach the subject until I have time to give it justice. So I'll wait. I'll just give you a taste by saying it is the most magically city I have ever been to. Milan too is so much more than I would have ever thought. It was two beautiful, I mean really beautiful parks and the walk between the two is, yes, completely filled with every brand in the entire world, but also amazing buildings with Baroque and Renaissance and Neoclassical and Medieval architecture. It is a strange collection and blending of every style, but each building is somehow connected and related to its neighboring building in a cohesive way. My neck hurts from staring at the rooftops filled with private gardens and the gargoyles at the top of the Duomo.

But now, I must run. I just wanted to give everyone a brief update and let you know that I'm doing fabulous! Keep me in your prayers and know I love you all. Ciao! - Casey

Winding Down

We're winding down here on top of this blustery mountain top, packing and cleaning and trying to remember where some of this stuff we're packing came from! After living so simply for so long, I feel like I'm packing up too much junk! But, I'm cramming what I can and leaving what doesn't fit. Luckily, the program allows students to leave extra suitcases here if they travel around after we finish in Venice.

This week in Cortona has had really beautiful weather. The main piazza has a huge set of steps that you can grab pizza or a sandwich and just spend the entire afternoon, watching the world go by. The Italians make no appointments or reservations, but find each other during the siesta hours in the street and do their business there. It's a completely different lifestyle in so many ways. The women and yes, men too, greet each other with a hug and kiss on each cheek, as though they haven't seen each other in ages. The truth is, they spent yesterday's siesta in the exact same spot, probably discussing (quite loudly) the exact same thing.

Last night was bittersweet as we held our Last Supper dinner together at the restaurant that we've eaten dinner all semester. It last for hours and hours, and they wine flowed with a neverending supply. We had appetizers and two courses of pasta, and then they brought out the biggest leg of pork you could ever image. It took up it's own table and definately deserved the standing ovation that it received. We made toast after toast, to the teachers, to the students and restuarant, the program director, the future of the program, our futures, new friendships and lasting relationships. It was a night of celebration and maybe a few tears, but it couldn't have been any better. The girls and I at my table told stories on each other all night, laughing at all our adventures and silly moments and sayings. I can't believe a short three monthes ago I didn't know this group of people. I've really learned a lot from them, and I'm so grateful for these people.

As for tomorrow, we head to Venice at 7:00 am, stopping for lunch and the afternoon in Bologna. I hear it is really beautiful, and I'm going to probably stop back in before I leave in June. One afternoon in a town just isn't enough in most cases. We had a brief orientation to the city of Venice, but there is so much more that I want to know before we go. The pictures they showed were absolutely gorgeous and it looks like a fairyland. So tonight we're having another nice, long dinner at my favorite restaurant in town, Nessun Dorma, and then hitting the hay. I'm about to have a whirlwind month and I need to be well rested.

I hope that I haven't bombarded you all with too much talking and plans. I'm really excited, and next time I write I'll have most interesting reports on Venice and its cuisine, which I hear is quite unusual and rather ugly. Lots of questionable dishes from the sea I believe. I'll send a picture or two.

It's been too long!

Hello all,

I am so glad to have a free moment to blog and catch everyone up on my life lately. There's a lot of ground to cover, so this may come in installments. I definately wanted to put something up though while I had a few minutes.

Classes just finished yesterday, and I have had a very successful semester academically. My art history classes really stretched me and my teacher was demanding. But her enthusiasm was infectuous and I will never look at 13th and 14th century art the same. She enstilled a new appreciation in me that I didn't know could have existed, even though I love art! My bookarts class was one of the most interesting classes I've taken in college, and watch out momma! We have a whole new craft to make room for. I feel like I'll make books and journals for the rest of my life. I even bought a whole cow hide to cut down and make leather books. (Don't worry, I sold 80% of the pieces off to people, so I'm not bringing home a cow.) And finally, my Italian is significantly better, and I hope to continue studying this language. It's history alone is amazing, which I never thought I'd say, but that's another blog. I feel very accomplished with my schoolwork, and though my classes took the backseat to exploring occassionally, I wouldn't have done it any other way.

My education class, where I went into the school, ended really well. The school really loves us and looks forward to us in the spring. They are so appreciative, and we had a ceramony this week to allow the teachers and parents to come and look at everything that we've done. So much of their gratitude didn't need words (which is lucky because I didn't understand most of it). I was hugged so much and kissed on the cheek countless times. The families are genuinely grateful and the kids have had such a wonderful time. It's really been something else working with kids and making a difference in their day and I am so glad that I decided to be apart of it.


Today and tomorrow are free days, so I walked to Le Celle where St. Francis stayed a few times because I didn't get to the other day. It was a 45 minute walk through woods on this dirt road, but then it suddenly opens up to a valley tucked away. A gorgeous waterfall runs through the middle of this monastery that is built on the hill and looks like a dream. Honestly, it's completely self-sustaining and there are hidden gardens and paths all around the compound. It was really beautiful, and I'm so thankful that I made it out there before we leave for Venice on Sunday. I almost missed it! It would have been a shame too. After Le Celle, I had my hair cut, again, to a more normal, easier to maintain style. Well, they attempted normal. I still have crazy diagonal bangs, but it's closer than before.

Tomorrow my friends and I are taking the train back to the lake where the Tulip Festival was held. This time, we're renting boats and rowing out to the tiny islands that are scattered all across the water, that looks like the Gulf it's so blue and green. I'm still washing all my clothes and cleaning and packing, but things are coming together fine and I'll be ready to head to Venice or Venezia soon. I'm excited to go there and explore for a few days, unlike our Saturday trips where we only have a few hours. Plus... IT'S VENICE! We don't have a schedule there either, so any suggestions as to what I should do would be appreciated. Other than marvel at the city on water.

As for a brief rundown of my month, wandering Italy, I think I have a plan. Well, it's tenative, but it's written down on the back of a napkin somewhere in my purse, so it's pretty serious.

Venice, Trieste, Milan, Lake Como and Lake Maggiare, Bologna, Siena, Cinque Terre, Florence, San Gimignano, Rome, Cortona, and then home again. Whew, I'm exhausted already, but really excited about this chance to be on my own and experience Italy, packing in even more than my quiet Tuscan hilltown. I love Cortona, and it will always have a special place in my heart. The people have welcomed us and accomodated to us in ways I'm sure I don't even know about. But I'm ready for the next part of this adventure!

I'm thinking about all of you and can't wait to see everyone in June. I will always have my computer while I travel, but I'm sure I'll be in and out of internet service. Please email me and let me know how you all are doing. I really love reading them. I hope that you are well and enjoying the spring.

Casey

I hope you have taken this leave from my blogging as a sign that I am utterly wrapped up in my school work, my new friends, my food, and my surroundings... because the past two weeks has been nothing but of whirlwind of art, pasta, tiny alleyways, and new green growth around Cortona. I can't believe that this part of my life is almost over, and there is nothing that can be done to stop these days from slipping away. So instead of blogging, I've been exploring and laughing and working, and I hope that when I get home, I'll have even more to share with you than what I could post here. I will, however, start the stream of pictures from snapfish.com. If you don't have an account, you are welcome to use mine to look at my first two albums of Florence and Rome. http://www2.snapfish.com/home/t_=126576909 is the website, and if you need an account mine is : caseynberry@gmail.com password: caseynberry

Good luck, and if you need to make your own, it is really simple.

As for blogging, I will return soon. As for today, I'm walking to Le Celle, where the Franciscian monk St. Francis of Assis (he's a pretty big deal around here) stayed in a monastery for a few years, and the walk there, I hear, is the best one around. So I'm off, crossing my fingers it won't rain on me.

I love you and have really missed home lately, so let me know how you are! - Casey

To Florence, by train

Look a little closer at the picture, and you may just see three Southern belles on their first train trip to Florence, thanks to the train reflection.

We had quite an adventure on Tuesday. Bobbi and I don't have classes, and we convinced Heather to be wild and skip her class, so we jumped on a train to Florence, one of my favorite places so far. We didn't really have much of a plan for the day except a- shop b- see a fresco cycle in Santa Croce that I will be working on this semester for one of my art history classes. Otherwise, we were roaming the streets, but it was such a lovely day, I'll recap it for you here:

7:04 - I wake up two grumbling roommates to make the 7:40 bus from Cortona to the next town, Camucia. We grab a roll and jam from the breakfast room and race down the mountain to Piazza Garibaldi and wait on the bus. Right on time! (Supposedly rare for Italian public transportation, though I haven't had any problems yet.)

8:15 - The bus drops us off right at the train station, and it is only here that we realize we don't really know what we're doing. Oh well - buy a ticket in the general direction of Florence, and we'll get off when we get somewhere close.

8:26 - Almost hop on the wrong train to Roma. NOT where we want to go... I dislike Rome and Romans a good deal. Luckily, we manage to correct our mistake and hop right back off before it shoots south. We get on the right train, rather excited for this beautiful day and 1 1/2 through the countryside. (And, it looks just like the Hogwarts Express from Harry Potter, so we might have pretended we were on our way to Harry Potter land. I wish)

10:04 - Off the train and out in Florence. We get about 40 feet before we stop at our first shoe store. One of about 3008 for the day. We shopped a lot. No luck here though, so we press on and make our way across the city towards Santa Croce, a church that we didn't visit on our first trip and it houses Michelangelo and Galileo's tombs, Giotto frescos, and a huge monument to Dante.

1:08 - Lunch and a glass of wine at a quiet ristorante near the river. I will never tire of lasagna. Never. Lucky for me, Italy will never let me run out of it. We ate lunch in typical Italian fashion - a glass of the house wine, and a long, slow lunch. It's the biggest meal here. In fact, towns basically shut down so that families can eat lunch together. Even the kids get out of school at 1:15 so that they can share the meal with their family. It's a big deal, so we took it slow.

2:30 - We find Santa Croce, and it is worth the treck across Florence. I had no idea it was this beautifully. Unfortunately there is construction, which really obstructed the full view, but there is so much to see, it was fine. My fresco cycle was hard to see due to a lack of lighting, which isn't uncommon. There is so much art, so many 'masterpieces' that a ton of art gets excluded and put on the back burner.

3:44 - Bobbi and I wander down a seemingly unexciting street, and stumble upon a tiny storefront with paper to make books in the window. I have been buying paper left and right, so I dragged Bob in. Little did we know we would meet Erin, a Canadian who studied in Italy, went home, and came back immediately, homesick for Florence. She's only a couple years older than us, and learned Italian, and calls Florence home, and makes books all day long. Ahh... the sweet life.

6:23 - I'll wrap this up by saying, we couldn't figure out how to get home, so we just jumped on a train. It was the wrong one - go figure. We got fined 5 euro, but it wasn't a really big deal. It dropped us off semi-near where we needed to be, and an hour bus ride later, we made it home again. Exhausted and exhilerated, we had a real adventure I'd say. Next time, I'll be sure to check bus schedules and know how to get home... but it worked out this time.

Today we went to Lucca and Pisa, but I'll wait to post on that when I have all my pictures together. I'm working on getting a snapfish account too so that I can upload a few albums. I had a very good easter and thanks to all the well wishers. Love you all!

Hello all and Happy Easter! I hope that you all enjoy enough quality family time for me and you both. Luckily, these 50 students here, from all parts of the world have become my family (in a temporary sense of course), but most of us are going to the Duomo right in the middle of town for Easter Mass.

Mom just emailed and asked if Easter was a big deal here. Sorry Mom, but I had to laugh a little bit. Everyone, and I mean everyone is Catholic. I'm not even sure if there will be enough room in the church... because the whole town comes. There are actually several Easter events in Cortona. Last night, a procession with a cross walked from the beginning of town, through the main square, to the Duomo (which is church in Italian), and tonight they are carrying a statue of Christ into the middle of the church at midnight and having a mass tonight too. I'm sad because during our field trip to Orvieto, the priest was in the main piazza today, blessing everyone's eggs that they will eat on Easter morning. I really wanted my eggs blessed, but alas, I was in Umbria. I suppose another Easter. So yes, Easter is a big deal... but don't worry. Our director gave everyone a huge chocolate egg called a Kinder Egg, so it feels a little like home.

Last week, as part of my art education class, Bobbie, Brenda (another student here), and I marched into a 2nd grade classroom, full of bright-eyed, brown haired Italian children, and gave a lesson plan on coat of arms and American and Italian flags. Oh yea... it was totally in Italian. Basically I'm fluent in the language these days... NOT! We practiced and practiced and prayed and practiced a little more before we went in, and had a blast. The kids hung on our every word and loved us and gave us hugs when we left and are dying for us to come back. It's part of the art ed program, and the schools expect us every spring. But trust me... it's totally new to me. But we go in scared and come out smiling and have about 22 flags painted by the most precious children you've ever met. I am going to scan a couple to my computer so I can share them with you all. You'll love them too.

I'm going to tell you a little tale of Bevagna and Orvieto, 2 different cities with similar stories - 52 American students herded down a mountain to two charter buses, grumbling and grumpy because it was freezing both of these Saturdays and RAINING! It's not supposed to rain here, but it does anyway. So, my roommates and I decided to make the best out of the rather wet situation, and played rockin' music the whole way to the town. We couldn't sing the rain away immediately, but after or so of wandering around these towns in they gray, sad drizzle, the clouds parted and the sun showed me the cutest towns. It's like they were completely different places when the sun shone on them. Orvieto is steeped in history, though I guess every town here is. But it was rich, then poor, then almost wiped out, then bounced back. And there are ceramic stores on every corner because Orvieto was at one time the leading ceramic producer, back in the 13th century or so. The only store I walked in, the owner/artist was in the room painting pieces. And so, with a mix of Spanish, English, and Italian, I learned all about medieval ceramics. Probably the best part of all though... the paper that he wraps the pieces up is perfect for making books. So if you get an Orvieto book from me... know that there is a long story behind it.

Wow, now that I think back on the places I've been since I've written, it's been awhile since I've blogged. I forgot all about the Assisi Problem - which is a real art historian mystery - that we traveld to Assisi solve. It isn't quite resolved, but we did our best, and possibly made a few advancements. Here is a picture that I pulled off the internet because I didn't have my camera that day, though I don't believe that they'd allow you to take pictures. Hope you enjoy them, and I'll try to stay on top of my blog this week. I had a rather hectic work with school, which is, let's remember, the reason I'm here. Sometimes I get confused :)

Happy Easter... again. All my love - Casey

Let the day of crazy begin

The day of the crazies... that's how Bobbi and I refer to this day of madness. It begins at 8 am, down in town to drive to Arezzo to the hair show. Davide (my stylist) dyed my hair last week, and it definately falls into the crazy category. It's taken quite a bit of time to come to terms with "intense copper" hair, as he so eloquently calls it. Bright red is what I call it.

But so, 8 am, we drive and arrive. We whisked to make up, not having really any idea of what is to come. I've been promised a relatively normal hair cut. Soft layering and shoulder length. OK, I say. I can dye my hair back... at least I'll have a good, solid cut. Obviously, I wasn't thinking! The same person that dyed my hair was going to cut my hair. Anyway, fast forward to the pictures. My hair isn't normal.... but I love it. Very mod. Very Italian. And for the next two months, it's going to be Very Casey. I already feel like a rock star, so watch out. I think I personality may be changing.

On the way back from our fabulous Italian hair cuts, our driver and friend of the hair dresser, Andrea, was very entertaining, telling stories about his farm and the restaurant his dad owns. Naturally, we're all dying to see it. 1- A real live olive grove. 2- He's gorgeous and all 4 of us want to spend as much time with him as possible. 3- He swears his dad is the last cowboy in Italy, and we'd understand if we saw the restaurant. So off we go... to the American Salon Restaurant, perched perfectly among the olive trees with an amazing view of Tuscany and a small farm to one side! Horses, dogs, cats, and OWLS! At one point, looking at the owls and hearing stories about how one dances to Barry White songs, I look at Bobbi and ask, How did we get here... in Italy... with crazy hair... on a farm... surrounded by animals?!

We were wiped out from our crazy Italian day. I came home and crashed. Then went to dinner with all my schoolmates, who oo-ed and ah-ed over the crazy Italian new look we all had. Quite a day. So, if you are looking at these pictures and gasping (mom) or crying (grandmother) or laughing (paw-paw), don't worry. I do believe that, while I look super cool and amazingly Italian, I think I'll return to the States completely normal, leaving my crazy Italian hair in Italy.

Next blog will include, but will not be limited to... my hour teaching the cutest Italian children about flags and coat of arms... in their Italian language, Bevagna and medieval book presses, and flower pots. Sending all my love! Casey

Ok, so you've been asking for it. Here's a lowdown on the people in this crazy Italian life of mine:

Bobbi Estelle, (black sweater standing beside me) she loves life, and I’m glad I’m here with her. I think I love life more just walking beside her through the streets of these precious, tiny towns. We stop and look at doors, cats, postcards, and shop windows, and we whisk ourselves to another life, an Italian life, where we stop and look at cats and shop windows for the rest of our Italian lives. She is an English major, so it makes a little sense that she and I get along… we’re not artists and don’t have all their weird, moody, quirky traits. But we dream most of our days away, which is easy to do here.

Olga (white coat) is our mother, simply put. Our personalities are hilarious together because we are all such bossy people, but it’s safe to say that she is the mother hen. She cooks for us most nights when meals aren’t provided for and plans out our field trips. Generally, we just go along with it. She was born in Eastern Europe, and has really lived through a lot, so she’s got a great outlook on life. Again, this is someone who is doing all she can to enjoy life and living it up. She has no worries and doesn’t let the small stuff get her down. Olga can talk to anyone about anything, anywhere. She is going to school to be an art teacher, so she’s just a joy all around.

Heather (red coat from College of Charleston!!) is, luckily, our passive member of the group. We couldn’t handle anymore bosses. She is go with the flow, and has a sweet personality. I don’t even know why she hangs out with us because she is so much milder and kinder than we are. (I guess she just needs some spunk in her life.) She loves fashion and wants to go on to school to work in the fashion world. Her focus right now is in drawing flowers and sewing onto the pages, so her sketches are really fun to look at and talk about.

Gino, finally, is our groundskeeper that lives on campus, in the same building as the boys. He loves, and I mean loves us students. When we went to the ballet the other night, the school took up about 8 boxes, and he walked around to each one and popped his head in and chatted for a few minutes before the show started. He lives off our youth and energy, though he as more energy than any of us. I’ll always remember him, walking into the room where I sat alone playing the Beatles and he danced through, singing along to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Don’t worry Poppie and PawPaw, I’m being looked after by a grandfather of sorts here too.

I have so many people dancing through my days, and I wish you could get to know them all. My teachers, they are another page entirely. They are so intelligent and knowledgable, sure, but also lots of fun and I wouldn't want to be led through another country with anyone else! This program has to be one of the best out there. Maybe I'll go on to graduate school and come back and teach here... we'll see.

I'm uploading a few more pictures too, but from here on out, I think that I'm letting everyone else do the picture taking. I want to see these placed while I'm here, and steal pictures from other people to show you. I feel like I'm missing out when I'm looking through a camera lense. (Sorry Santa Clauses).

I, among all children, am blessed - Shout out to dad

I'm sitting here, sipping my coffee, trying to wake up a little for a quick walk to town for some fruit, and then class.

But I was reading the blog comments and thinking of you all, and I just wanted to let you know I am so blessed with family and friends that feel like family. I feel so loved, even with an ocean between us. I love you all.

I left my heart in Pienza

Good morning from foggy Cortona town!


We had a bit of rain last night, the first since our arrivals here, and things do seem a bit more gray. That's ok though. Too many green pastures around this place. :) I do suppose that helps turn my attention away from the view and back to the art history paper that I am needing to write. But I'll blog for now... anything to keep the real work at bay.

This weekend we were herded once again on a bus and ended up in Pienza, the first of our three stops. Ahh, Pienza. I do believe that I left a little piece of my heart there. If I thought Cortona was small, Pienza is tiny! But you need a brief art history lesson I do believe: Pope Pius II was born here, so when he became pope, he brought his sentimental self back to revamp his hometown. The Renaissance ideal city was just creeping onto the scene, so Pius jumped at the chance to demolish, and then build up Pienza. Instead of two piazzas in medieval towns (like Volterra and Cortona) Pienza has one with both religious and secular buildings surrounded the square. A perfect blend of church and state you might say. His new church, though, is fara from perfect. Determined to build it around this main piazza, the church juts out of the hillside, and its foundations are a little less stable than I'm comfortable with. Infact, the church is slowly splitting in two, despite recent attempts to fix a foundation that never should have been. Anyway, back to Pius.

A main street runs from one end of the city to the other you are supposed to be able to stand in the middle and see out both ends. Finally, all the little alleyways are designed to be straight so that as you walk by, you can see the rolling Tuscan landscape below with no defense wall or buildings blocking your view. A marvelous idea. Beautifully designed. But Pius died, and no one else cared enough to carry out his dreams of Renaissance ideal in this dot on the map town. So today it stands, half medival, half Renaissance. Some streets are straight and look out to the valley below, and some twist and turn and you think you'll never see the light of day again. It's wonderfully unique and quaint, but I had class the morning that we came, so I was walking around with my teacher and not able to take pictures, which is a shame. But, if any of you decide to buy and ticket and visit me... then we'll visit Pienza for sure.

Montepulciano was not nearly as exciting and acted more like a ghost town out of an old western. 70% of the shops and caffes were closed up tight and refuse to open until more tourists arrive. But I managed a little time in the Duomo (the town's main church) and watched the believers come and pray and the tourist come and stare at the paintings and architecture and sculpture. These churches are so beautiful and need hours to really swallow and take in, but they are so cold and uninviting to me. Even when I went to mass last week, and the church was packed with little room to move, it feels very different than any church I've ever attended. I guess I'm walking away with an impression of a big, powerful God, rather than a personal, open-armed God. Both are necessary. Anyway, I digress. The churches are big here. That's all I have to say about that!

Last bit of news before I finally pull out the books. An Italian hairdresser in town apparently is a pretty big deal around here, and he gives shows (I had no idea hair dressers did shows). Anyway, he needed 6 hair models and I am one of them! He's going to dye it on Wednesday and cut it next Monday in Arezzo. But I think I won't tell you about it. I'll just post the pictures and you can see for yourself. I'm nervous, but it will be fun I think. And he seems good. I think. I hope!

OK, off to study. Here's my email again if anyone is reading but can't figure out how to comment caseynberry@gmail.com I love you all! Arrivederci - Casey

Volterra and Santa Margharita Day!

It's hard to trace my steps back to Volterra when there is so much going on right now! But I didn't tell you very much about our first field trip, so we need to back up a week...

We were herded onto a couple buses at 7:30 Saturday... in the morning... it was rough. But we did what we could and stumbled down the hill for the 2 hour bus ride through the mountains. Along the way, we passed so many small, walled towns, and I wondered why these were significant enough to stop at. But we drove on. Maybe I'll venture there another day. By the time we arrived, a few of us were green from the drive. It was a little twisty and turny, on small roads, in a huge bus. So I was ready for whichever town we were stopping at. 

But it was worth the drive. The city, though in the About Tuscany books sounded exactly the same as Cortona, had a completely different feel. It was great. I believe that more sunshine sneaked through buildings and onto the streets, both wider and better paved than Cortona. The town was bigger in general, with endless cafes (which we call bars here) and shops. But again, we were herded straight to our destination - the Etruscan museum. It was fascinating because, as I mentioned early, this stuff is old. Older than Rome. Older than anything I've ever seen. Without going into a full art history lesson, I'll just say that the cycle of art is amazing. It goes from very detailed and intense, to this fall out in history where there is hardly any art, and if there is art, it isn't very good, and then back to really good again. And I was looking at the first cycle, that the Etruscans were in. Crazy.

The museums were great and worth spending the whole day in, but for my Italian Culture class, our teacher gave us a good tour of the other sites of the city, including an ancient Roman theatre, a walking park that looks over Volterra, and one of the many amazing churches that houses some of the first terracotta pieces (Terracotta was a family name). So enjoy the pictures from Volterra. It was a happy place, though lacking in the enthusiastic Cortonese citizens that love us so dearly here in Cortona. 

Let's jump ahead to today, Friday, and jump back to Cortona. It is a big day today in the city... Santa Margharita Day! Margharita is the patron saint of the city, so everything is closed, including schools, to honor her and her church at the top of our mountain. The whole town (more or less) attended mass this morning, including yours truly. It was intense, but wonderful. I'm posting the pictures that my roommate Bobbi took of the church and festivities, so you can see for yourself how fun this morning was. We snacked on ham sandwiches and some of the treats that were handmade right infront of us. 

As for now though, I have a class in a couple hours and homework to prepare for it. I can't begin to explain how great it has been to visit the monuments and works of art that we've been studying. I'm pro-study abroad all the way, but ESPECIALLY for art history majors. There is nothing like standing infront of the alterpiece that I've studied for years. Thanks to everyone who helped me get here and for supporting me. Enjoy the pictures, and tomorrow I have another busy day with a field trip, so I'll keep you posted. Much love from Italy - Casey

Been doin' some diggin' in

Hello again. Hello from Italy. Hello from heaven.

OK, so maybe I'm in a good mood. Who can help it here? My days are passed smiling, in general disbelief.

The full swing of the program is underway. Class have started, the art studios have opened, and of course, the internet has been down. The dependency on the internet (even in beautiful Tuscany) is a bit much. I had hoped to shy away from it a little more, but I found myself desperately checking for a wireless signal.

For anything that is repeated in emails, I apologize in advance. But my days are going a little something like this: wake up, walk straight to the window and sigh, and do a little reading that I need to finish for my classes or whatever is around. Right now I'm trying to read a history of Cortona (the only one written and written well by, that's right, a former UGA student). It's a lot to take in, since Cortona is called the grandmother of Rome, predating even that ancient civilization. It's old. Breakfast is a laid out for us every morning and while we wander downtowns to grab a bite to eat, the ladies that work here sweep and mop our room and make our bed. You read that right. This is a glorified Holiday Inn. I'm already accustomed to my school life consisting between the two buildings on campus, which are extremely close. I'm so spoiled!

After classes are done (or on Tuesday, when I have no classes at all) my roommates and I mostly spend our time wandering the streets of Cortona. Each is the same and yet so different, so you can get lost in a wonderful way, but almost always emerge in one of the 2 main piazzas. You'd think that the stoniness of the streets would appear gloomy, but the brightly colored shutters, flowers, clothes strung out, and people hanging out, the gray seems to fade. Bright green, fuschia, red, and all shades of orange replace it. And this is in February! I can't wait until spring. There is a coffee shop that I like to call home (though I believe the workers mistakenly think that we are homeless because we're there everyday). It's called Nessum Dorma, which means never sleeps. While you sip your coffee or cappuccinos, they bring all these wonderful treats and breads glazed with honey. Ah. Maybe we should move there. Along with the goodies at coffee, I have found the chocolate shop that tops all chocolate shops. Kaminskys, ha ha ha. You are no match for Cocoa. New cases of chocolates every single day. Rich. Light. Dark. Creamy. Hot. Cold. Fruity. Tarty. Bitter. The list goes on and on and on! It's a wonderful place.

I'm saving my trip to Volterra and my new pal Lorenzo (don't worry - he's 70) for another blog. Hopefully tomorrow if we get to keep our internet (cross your fingers). Plus, I just don't want to overstimulate you. Until then...

Cortona, my new home

Hello all!

We've finally arrived in Cortona, and let me say... it was worth the wait, worth the exhausting journey through Rome and Florence to finally arrive. The drive through Tuscany was fabulous. Each small town had a life and a feel of its own, and many of them we'll travel to on Saturdays during the semester.

Our school and dormitory set up is at the top of a hill, but that doesn't quite describe it. Let's go more with small mountain. The vertical incline is intense, and as we were passed by the elderly women chattering, walking up the hill faster than us, we all thought this has to get easier! Luckily, I'm eating all the pasta and gelato and coffee that I want because I know that I climb our small mountain daily. We are situated on the outskirts of the city, literally beside the city's stone walls. Above our two buildings is Santa Margharita, the patron saint of the city. In WWII, the Germans placed a bomb, hidden inside the city. When it exploded, it was basically a dud because the explosion was tiny. All that was altered was a small rock, thrown all the way across the city, and landed at the statue of Sta. Margharita's feet. If the people of Cortona didn't believe that their lady saint protected them before, you better believe that they do now. They rock has been bound to the church wall, near where it landed.

Our tour of Cortona today was led by a former UGA student, who, you guessed it, fell in love with an Italian and has lived here, happily married for more than 20 years. Anyone up to flying to Italy for a wedding? You may need to prepare. - Only kidding - We'd probably get married in the states.

You can see the view from our bedroom, which opens up to the valley below. Every few minutes, someone just sighs and says, "we're so lucky." We toured the buildings today too and saw our studios and classrooms. They are wonderful, and every room opens up to our view of Tuscany below us. There is no better place, I'm convinced, to study art and its history.

I'm also uploaded a lot of picture from Florence that I didn't post earlier. The David by Michelangelo is unimaginable. First of all, its sheer size can't be matched, but then the perfection of the hands and face. These pictures are of a copy that is placed in the Piazza della Republica, because the real one is protected from the weather inside the Academia Museum.

Enjoy the pictures. I'm really disappointed with the ones that I have of Ghiberti's door on the baptistry in the middle of Florence. These were my favorite things so far, but you'll just have to use your imagination to their grandeur. Some places, the figures extend 3 inches outward. They are amazing. I'm off to dinner and one more meeting. Please send any questions too. I have skipped so much, but there is just so much to say and do. I'm excited to keep you posted, and to dig into the town. I love you all!

Viterbo, on the way to Florence

Hello again! Internet has been easier to access since I have gotten away from Rome. We left the city yesterday for Florence, but make a stop in Viterbo in between. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures because I decided to enjoy the afternoon without lugging it around. We were dropped off in the middle of Viterbo with different options of going to museums or just walking around. A few girls and I wanted specifically to see San Pelligrino, a neighborhood built around the medieval times and has been preserved like that until today. Minus the modern cars and cell phones, it looked exactly like it should. He decorations were gray and sparse, but beautiful. And after Saint Peters Cathedral and the Vatican, covered from floor to ceiling with something to look at, a medieval afternoon was a nice change of pace. We shopped (though I have been keeping my wallet closed until we arrive in Florence where the real shopping will take place) and ate a quick lunch in one of the many piazzas. There were lots of hills, so we came across great views of the city.

We climbed on the buses again to venture to Florence. (At any point in these stories, you can add the line, I was exhausted. Everywhere we go, I am pretty exhausted but we are pushing through it and really getting to see a lot.) We arrived after dark in Florence and checked into a hotel downtown. This does not even compare to the set up we had in Rome because we are pretty crammed together, but honestly the spirit of Florence makes up for it. It is much smaller and less crowded. I think that Florence is often criticized for being too Americanized, but we are appreciative after struggling so much in Rome. No pickpocket stories so far too, and in Rome there were plenty. In case you are not getting the idea, I am loving Florence. The group woke up this morning to rush into the Bargello Museum, which houses the best sculpture in Florence, and possibly Italy. We were able to see Donatellos David made out of bronze. I will post pictures after I steal from from my friends because I left my camera back in the hotel again.

Everything has been wonderful so far except the weather, which refuses to change from a gray cold. But the Florentines have been so helpful and that really helps things along. I have already found my favorite thing in Florence, but I will post on it later because you have to have pictures of it, and I dont have them yet. So you will just have to wait.

A Roman for 4 days

Let me start by saying that I am really appreciative of all your emails and prayers. I have felt so loved, leaving for Italy and while I've been here. Thank you.

Now, let's get to Roma... What can I say? How can you describe this city? I finally faced the inevitable today, writing in my journal... you just can't describe it. You can't fit it into a picture or postcard or memory. But, I will attempt to give you a small glimpse of what I've been doing and what I've seen lately.

I could write forever on the Pantheon and Campo di Fior alone. I'm so overwhelmed to even begin, but we'll start with Saint Peter's Basillica and Bernini's Piazza outside the Vatican. I walked into the Piazza and stopped immediately and dropped my jaw. Nothing compares to the vast, perfection of the space, carefully planned by Bernini. An obelisk towers over the piazza with a cross at the top, emphasized the Church's power and domination over, well, everything. Once inside Saint Peter's, the enclosed space feels just as huge as the outside square. I had to pull out my handy-dandy binoculars (thanks mom) just to appreciate the ceiling. Fortunately, we went on a Sunday when the choir walked through the Basillica singing. Everyone stopped and listened to them, echoing in the space, though mostly there is a reverent silence throughout the church.

The Colloseum at night, by far, as been my favorite sight. I stumbled upon it by accident. Can you imagine? Turning a corner and chancing upon it. The picture I've posted is already my background on my computer. Again, I just had to stop and stare, much to the annoyance of the Romans, who pass by as though it is nothing. I didn't go in, however, but I'll fly out of Rome in June, so I may come back to tour the inside.

The days have been filled, from 7 to 1 am everyday. I'm exhausted and thrilled at the same time. Between the cafe americano (because I just can't handle the espresso here) and the vino I'm running on fumes. But I'm so glad that we've had such a busy agenda because it has really pushed me to go as hard as I can and see all that I can see. And a program size of 60 has really been perfect. I've made a point to spend the days with different people, trying to remember names and get to know faces. My class schedule is bookmaking (yes, I'll be making my own journals), Italian language, Early Renaissance Art History, and an Art Education class. We'll be working in the Italian grade schools to help the children paint murals in their school and around the town of Cortona. We leave bright and early for Florence tomorrow morning, stopping along the way to visit a ceramics museum.

Rome has been great, and I'm looking forward to Florence, but I can't wait until we arrive in Cortona on the 8th. It will be much slower paced where we'll start out classes and get into a routine. And, only then will I have regular internet access, so keep the emails coming, and I'll answer them as best as I can.

I love you and can't wait to hear from you. Ciao!

You may have the universe if I may have Italy." - Giuseppe Verdi

I haven't left South Carolina yet, but I already feel this way. My journey officially begins January 30th, when I fly out of Charlotte for Rome. But the details and planning and preparing are well underway. I plan on keeping this blog updated regularly with photos and my going-ons, but always feel free to email me. I'm available at caseynberry@gmail.com round the clock and would love to be kept up-to-date on your end. My excitement is growing with every passing day. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I continue to get ready, and thanks for your support thus far. I am blessed beyond measure.

Next time I'll write, I'll be doing as the Romans do. What that is... I guess I'll soon know.