Ciao a tutti!
July 2nd:
We have arrived in beautiful Florence after a long trip, and boy, are we happy to be here!
After settling into our rooms in our historic residences (wow, there are frescoes on the ceilings of some rooms!), we had a group dinner of various pasta salads, potato croquettes, with sides of eggplant and baked red peppers. Mmmmm!
The group was tired, but eager to see the city, so the staff brought them on a short walking tour of the city, which culminated in a soothing trip to my favorite gelateria, Perche No! Students enjoyed flavors such as lampone e fragola (raspberry and strawberry), espresso, and my personal favorite cioccolata.
Back at the residence the staff checked the students in at curefew, and we all went to bed after a long day!
July 3rd:
In the morning, the students had their program orientation on the large terrace of the staff apartment, where they learned the cardinal rules of the program and practical information about the city and the residence. After that, the staff broke the students up into small groups, and took them out to their favorite lunch spots. I took my students to a nearby rosticceria where they had various pastas, and one adventurous soul had some calamari!
Following lunch, the staff guided students through the grocery shopping process, in which each apartment works together to buy food for breakfasts and lunches. A true pre-college experience!
In the afternoon, after some free time, the students had their first elective lesson. William made fresh foccaccia with the cuisine class--the rosemary and parmigianno loaf was yummy!
Antonio's Italian conversation class took their new-found phrases to the streets and ordered coffees completely in Italian! Way to go, ragazzi!
And the art history class visited the Ospedale dei Innocenti, a hospital designed by Brunelleschi which served as a safe haven for abandoned children. The arches are dotted with beautiful terracotta reliefs of white-glazed figures of infants on a blue-glazed background created by Andrea della Robbia. Che bello!
The excitement continued, as we had our first cooking night, during which each staff member joins an apartment of students to cook dinner. On the menu was gnocchi alla sorrentina, a mixed salad, and lots and lots of water (it was HOT yesterday!). Many students happily reported to me that they loved the food--and were proud that they had made it themselves.
After dinner, the planned walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo was put on hold, as the group was starting to fade. Instead we played a game Truth or Lies on the staff terrace, to learn more about one another. I am happy to report that your children have great senses of humor and shared many interesting experiences with us (some true, and some made up!!!). Did you know we have an expert in accents and impressions, several multi-lingual students, and personal stories of meeting Pete Weir of the Grateful Dead and Diana Ross?! What a bunch).
After a short walk for gelato (we can't get enough), we checked in and went to bed.
Look forward to writing more!
Janet Lawrence
Program Director, Florence
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