Buon giorno a tutti, le mamme, i papa', i parenti, ed gli amici!
Last night, following dinner, the students donned their running shoes, shorts, and bandanas (oh, and Balin wore a sweet wrist band, a la Michael Cera), and we headed to La Porta di San Niccolo', a piazza near one of the remaining entrances of the walled city where young Florentines hang out after the day's heat has relented. When we took to the field, we were quite a sight to be beheld: 30-something brightly-dressed, energetic Americans ready to play a SERIOUS game of capture the flag. Needless to say, we attracted quite a bit of attention, but in the best possible way. One thing that Italians admire about Americans is their endless enthusiasm and their team spirit--and Abbey Road students have this in spades!
After capture the flag, we split up to play various sports games. While a larger group of us played soccer (woah, Mica and Jadyn ruled!), Laurie, Talia, Texanna and Brian threw a frisbee around (Brian's frisbee skills are incredible!), and others of us mingled with the young crowd in the piazza. Since frisbee is a bit of a new thing in Italy, the circle eventually expanded to include 5 or 6 curious Italians that wanted to give it a try. Unfortunately, we don't have any photos of this moment, as Claire and Rachel kindly explained to me that I might scare the young people off if I went around like a proud mama taking pictures as if it were the prom. Oh, right!
Then this morning, I accompanied Eden M., Mica, and Emily to the airport, as they have got to get back to the States for sports camps and family vacations. It was sad, and the students that bid them farewell hugged them in tears. We're gonna miss your smiling faces, ladies!
After morning classes and lunch, the students are now enjoying their afternoon activities, which include yoga, a trip to a Florentine paper-making and bookbinding guild, and free time in the city.
Jadyn and Kori have just returned from the bookbinding trip and provided an in depth account that I will relay:
The owner of the paper and bookbinding shop showed the group how to marble paper. He would fill a tray of liquid gel, and then splatter colored paint into the tray, on top of the gel. Thanks to the chemicals in the liquid gel, the colors do not bleed into one another. From there, the paper maker could make designs in the colors. After the tray was prepared to his liking, he laid papyrus on top of the gel, and then smoothly rolled it off. Presto change-o, the colors stuck to the paper, creating an attractive marbled effect, and the liquid gel stayed right where it was in the tray! Texanna, Cassie, Kelly, and Rachel got to give this technique a try while the others looks on. Jadyn reported that she had a great time, and Kori agreed, although she added: "It was hot as the dickens in there!" Grazie, belle!
This evening, we will be having a group dinner in ristorante, whose pasta, I hear, is deliciosa! (A friend who's been reading the blog pointed out to me it sounds like we eat A LOT. Let me clarify: we eat a normal amount, but we eat incredibly well!) Following dinner, we will open the art studio to students who need to spend some extra time on their Master's Project. Also, we'll be walking up to Fortezza Belvedere, a Fortress that looks out onto the city below, where students can sketch and hang out. And finally, Stefano will be taking students to the Galileo Museum, for those who were unable to attend the first time it was offered.
Again, don't be afraid to leave comments--the students might like to hear your impressions!
Saluti!
Janet
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