{avventura}

{adventure}

On Saturday we made our second excursion to the farmers' market and then spent some time exploring our neighborhood, the southwest portion of Orvieto... while out, we took the opportunity to do some sketching and watercolor paintings which posted pictures of in my last entry. We then joined the community at they strolled up and down the Corso, their main street. We stopped in a bookstore that has been calling my name, something that rarely happens, and I purchased the first Harry Potter book in Italian... I am hoping to get through it this semester, and learn a little italian in the process... We then perused the many shops and boutiques along the Corso, went to supper at a fancy underground restaurant (accidentally) and met up with our classmates at the Bar Duomo....

Sunday was spent relaxing, catching up on sleep, walking around Orvieto, and eating.. we enjoyed listening to our Italian neighbors singing Linkin Park and other karaoke through the walls.... topped off our evening with gelato, crepes, and skyping galore...

Monday, we had our first real day of studio, and seminar... I also spent a good 2 hours in the post office applying for temporary citizenship in Orvieto.. "very boring" as our italian advisor likes to describe it... we then spent most of the remainder of our day celebrating my friend Kylie's birthday... pizza and wine at Charlies, then a drink at Bar Duomo. (=

Things I have observed thus far...
Blonde hairs stand out..
People will shamelessly stare...
Men and women are much more stylish...
They have an awesome recycling program...
We walk.. everywhere...
Some people enjoy having us here... and some do not..
There are an abundance of feral cats, and dogs in sweaters..
40% of communication is nonverbal... but they enjoy watching us try...
Italians in the bars tend to act like theyve had more to drink than they have because they are trying to mimic what they know of americans from the media...

I will be spending the weekend in Rome... we are staying at the M&J hostel near the main train station... I am curious as to how the big city will differ from my comfortable Orvieto...

I am also very excited for my trip to the market,wine tasting session, and coking lessons with Chef Lorenzo of the Zeppelin on Thursday.

Excited for all of my fellow IAers who will FINALLY be joining me in Italy... wish them safe travels this weekend as they fly into Rome and head towards Santa Chiara for their semester of studies! IA<3

Sorry for all of the text... more, with pictures tomorrow!

Love,

Cait