So today was another fun day at the Villa.
I woke up at about 8 to the sounds of birds chirping and the smell of jasmine coming through my window. I decided to check my computer, and mom was on! It was about 1115pm her time, so we were able to talk while I got ready for my day, which was very nice. After that, we went down to breakfast and then to class.
Class was interesting today, and I feel that I learned quite a bit. On this note, to spice things up I have decided to do a little academic fact of the day. This proves that I am going to class and learning, and I get to share little tidbits of what I am learning, so yay. Today one thing I learned was the difference between a treaty and a convention. A treaty is generally bilateral, and a convention is multilateral. So conventions are often called treaties when in fact, they are technically not. However, they are just as binding, regardless as to the name, as long as Congress ratifies them. So there is our nugget of knowledge for the day.
Class actually went long today. We are supposed to be done at 1130 so those on scul duty can go help set up. What is scul duty one might ask? Scullery, or scul, involves helping to set up lunch (or dinner), clear plates if there are 2 courses, refill the bread baskets and water pitchers, and clean up at the end. We are all on the schedule to pitch in (I am on scul for lunch tomorrow). Since we got out at about 1205, and lunch is supposed to start at 12, it was already set up when we arrived. So, those on scul got a break. After lunch we had some free time, then we went down to Florence.
In Florence, we had a history professor give us a guided tour. It was interesting because he was sharing information that was new to me, and that was bringing back old memories and knowledge that has been stored in the back of my mind for three years now. But I did learn more and just generally had a good time being back in the city. After our tour we had about an hour or so to hang out before the bus back up to Fiesole, so Andrew, Lee Catherine, Pat, Kel, Briana, and myself got some gelato (yum!) and made our way back to the Piazza della Signorina, where the Palazzo Vecchio is and where the (fake) statue of the David stands. We took some fun pictures and wandered back to the bus stop. Our bus back to town was hot, crowded, and smelly, but it was an adventure.
We got back late from Florence, so those on scul duty got a free pass again. Dinner was fabulous as always. Thinking back, it isnt just the food that makes the meals so good here. There are 12 students in the program, all but two who are in grad school, and then there is the "den mother" who makes sure we do scullery duty and keeps the place running smoothly for the students, and Dr. Joyner, one of the professors, at every meal. We start dinner at 7 and end up sitting and chatting long after we are all done eating. It is just relaxing and fun. Since there are so few of us, we are getting to know each other pretty well and while I wouldnt say there are no cliques, there isnt really a divide or anything, so its nice.
I think we have figured out where we are traveling. This weekend we are going to explore Tuscany with a group of students. I am super excited to see Siena again. :-) Next weekend we are going to Cinque Terre. While I have been there before, we didn't get to hike all of the cities, and I think we are going to try to see Genoa for a day as well. The following weekend is after the program ends, and we are going to go up to Venice for a couple days, and then come back to Villa, pick up our bags, and then continue south to the Almalfi coast. There, we will go to Napoli, Pompeii, Capri, and maybe Sorrento. Then, its back up to Rome and to the US of A. Quite the crazy month. We shall see if it all works out as planned, as plans have a tendency to change without notice.
I suppose thats it for tonight. I will be uploading my pictures from today some time tonight, so keep an eye out for that.
Love to you all!
No comments:
Post a Comment