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.