Saturday May 1st Venice

I had a very fully day today. We started it off with a guided tour at 9. The tour guide was quite good, although she has some interesting opinions. When she took us through the Jewish Ghettos she told us very authoritatively that the Jewish were, and still today, make the best doctors.
We covered most of the city, saw some famous churches and learned a bit about the city. My favorite story was about the Germans. First of all, the iron bridges are the invention of the Germans, who brought the material over in the mid 19th century. But besides the metal they also brought a bit of their language. The Germans had quite a bit of trouble pronouncing one word and what they came out with was ghetto, which we still use to this day.
After finding lunch I wandered over to Venice’s huge bell tower for a view of the city. The view was pretty encompassing, I could see the edges of the islands, but unfortunately the buildings are so close to the water that I couldn’t see the individual canals
Once I had finished with this I met up with the group and went for an etching lesson! We got in a bus and drove to mestrict(mainland Venice) and learned how to use a press. Our teacher took us through all the steps, from putting varnish on, to heating the metal up, to etching the drawing, and to soaking the metal in nitric acid. After the metal had soaked for about 15 minutes we dried the piece off and put it through a press, thus creating a beautiful press. I drew a picture with several bridges and Gondola’s, which was loosely based off what I had already witnessed in Venezia.
At night we went with are two instructors- Stefano and Nadie to a grande pizzeria( il profeto). The pizza was great and I ordered the BOMBA, which included everything from artichokes to hotdog pieces. It was a very interesting night.

Sunday May 2 Tour 2,

Sunday morning we woke up early again for part two of our tour. Today we explored a lot more of the center part of the city- navigating the narrow side streets and drying not to step in dog shit (it was everywhere). The tour was rather informative and I learned some rather quirky stories about Venice. In the 16th century the people were so rich and so bored that they decided to employ the prostitutes for a good of the state. They were all paid to stand by the windows overlooking the piazza- topless. Supposedly, the goal was to win over any homosexuals or others on the border. In reality, it sounds like a group of people with just way to much time on their hands. Another strange rule is that if you want a roof top terrace you have to ask the towns permission. The only way they will allow you to have one is if you can find your house on a 15th century map of the city. If, on that map the house once had a terrace then, you may “rebuild it.”
The rest of the day was seeing more famous churches and statues. After we ended the door in San Marco’s square we split up and found lunch. After grabbing a bite to eat we picked up our stuff and boarded the 3:30 train back to Urbino.

Monday May 3 Theatre

Back to the grind! Woke up early and got some writing out of the way. Once I had finished I checked my calendar and realized it was May. The time is just flying by and pretty soon I got to start looking into my summer plans.
At night I went to my weekly Theatre class. Tonight, we worked on breathing, so that we might better speak. After we had finished with these drills the teacher had us recite poetry. All of it was in Italian, but the funny part was that half of it was Shakespeare.

Tuesday May 4 Sono nato e morto in Italia

Today we had a rather interesting, but pointless Italian class. We went to the language facility and listened to a song entitled “Sei nato e morto in Italia” which means you are born and die in Italy. It was a really depressing song backed by a bad rap beat. Unfortunately the guy is depressed that although there are a lot of beautiful parts to Italy (churches, beaches) there is too much crime (mafia). The point of the lesson was to analyze the song and learn some new vocabulary, but it was all rather straight forward. This is something I do on my free time and although it was entertaining I don’t understand how they can call it a class. At night I went to the conversation club and talked a lot with a girl from near Assisi who is a sociology major. However, the native Italian already is fluent in Italian and has a working knowledge of Spanish, French, and Danish (it’s her hobby). These people know too many languages.

Wed May 5- Model European Parliament- Nick’s a tourguide!

Ok, today was pretty crazy and I could probably write for quite a while about all the incredible people I met today. Today was the first day of a 3 day conference that my friend signed me up for. He is studying political science and his faculty is hosting an international conference. The conference is going to culminate on Friday with a plenary session modeled after one from the European Parliament.

Although I know very little about European politics I joined because I thought it would be a good way to meet people from all around Europe. In fact it has been great. In my meeting in the morning I was with mostly Italians, but many of them were studying in other Universities like Rome, Torino and Bolgnia. The meeting in the morning was to discuss our committees position on the issue at hand. The group of 15 students which I’m part of is dealing with climate change. For the first 15 minutes we listened to a teacher tell us all the important facts, about the different green house gases and the ones which were left out of the Kyoto protocol. The basic storyline is we are all going to die and the E.U. has to figure out how to impose its restrictive policies on the rest of the world. China and the U.S. were described as the enemies, but unfortunately rather formidable obstacles.

During the next meeting I met with my political party. I was assigned to the EPP (European People’s Party) which is self described as center right. Regarding environmental politics at least it very much resembles are left, but on other issues it is very different. We discussed a whole host of problems ranging from the financial crisis in Greece to the problems in Iran and also the negative effects of how the media portrays women. This group was very interesting because it was much more diverse, both ideologically, but also geographically. I met several students from Spain, one from Georgia, one from Scotland, and another from Bulgaria. The Bulgarian was actually fantastic and took me back to his room after where he presented me with a souvenir from his country. Additionally, he gave me quite a bit of a Bulgarian bread (Banitza) to try, which I will do tomorrow morning.

Oh, did I mention I also gave a guided tour of the Ducal Palace. Because all these students were from all over the world the group that organized this event wanted to show them around. However, because they couldn’t get anyone better qualified they brought their Italian friend to give the tour. Although he was studying English literature he knew very little about the Palace and was just going to translate out of the Guide book. It was at this point that I stepped in and offered to help out. From this point on I led the tour which lasted about 20 minutes. No one fell asleep, or through tomatoes, so I guess it was a pretty good day.

Thursday May 6th Chaos

Today was round two of the conference. Although it was very interesting it was also very relaxed. This conference is entirely run by students and although many of us have very good ideas we don’t have anyone who really knows how to facilitate a healthy debate. Regardless, I met more people and became more aware of the many problems Europe is facing.

Friday May 7th, 8th, 9th Ferraris

Friday May 7th, 8th, 9th Ferraris
Friday was incredible if for no other reason that I got to see a ton of Ferraris. Once a year, Italy has a huge car party. All the owners of the Ferraris and Jaguars come out and travel around the city. It was very good and I ‘m going to buy one here and bring it back with me to the States.

Oh, so I was elected to be president of both my environmental commission and political committee (EPP). Although I occasionally forgot how to speak English I was rather proud of my performance. This pride, however, only lasted until I thought about the fact that everyone else was arguing in their second or third language.
The weekend was rather relaxed. Saturday and Sunday I caught up on some work. Sunday I ran once around the city walls (20 minutes)!

Monday 10th, Theatre

Another productive day, I’m finally starting to get organized now that the end is sadly in sight. I’ve organized my room and made a list of things to do before I leave Italy. I still haven’t made it to an Italian play, but I’ve don’t quite a lot here! I’ve got 2 classes left, a presentation, final and then I’m out of here.

Tonight was my regular theater class and probably also my last. It’s sad because we’ve had so much fun and actually grown rather close. Because most of the acting is non verbal I never had a problem following on. However, as the weeks grew on really started to get to know several of the other students and I’ll definitely miss them. They’re going to put on a show (uno spectaculo) in the middle of the main Piazza. We’ve learned a number of African dance moves and done quite a bit of improvisation. Unfortunately, I’ll be in Florence, but it’s been great fun practicing anyways- I’ll get them to send me the pictures.

Tuesday –F 11th -14Lezione

Tuesday I had my last Italian lesson. Frankly, I’m not too sad, because it was very poorly structured. Anyways, I’m almost done. After dinner I also gave a final tango lesson to some friends. It’s amazing how good they’ve gotten and how much my Italian has improved(although I still have some trouble translating the Spanish terms).
Wednesday – Friday I had my last lessons! I am now officially done with all my classed here. I just need to continue studying for my Language Final. I’m going to miss my classes with Peter. Thursday we went back to the archives for the last time and on Friday, we discussed the readings in Café del Sole.

15 Saturday- Pioggia

So today it rained and rained and rained. It also rained some more and was pretty cold. On a regular Saturday morning this wouldn’t be a problem. However, this Saturday morning I had to go into to town to give a presentation.

In class I gave a presentation on the problems of Immigrants in Italy. The problem is rather straight forward. There are lots of immigrants today and most Italians don’t want them. They are coming in from East Europe, Asia, and Africa and usually dirt poor. The problem is that Italy doesn’t have any jobs for them, or for its own people for that matter. That coupled with the high levels of societal
compartmentalization and racism brings us to our current dilemma.

I however, was only the last to go and heard a number of very interesting talks first. The first one was on the current state of music in Italy. Done by an Italian girl (whose favorite band is Muse and idol Jimmy Page) it was an ironic lament on the lack of Rock music in Italy. Part of the problem is it is hard to rock out when all your words end in vowels. Another however, is that many Italians prefer lovey pop songs, or just listening to old-fashioned American Rock. Although some of her methods on collecting data were a little shaky (facebook polls of her friends) I have to agree that rock is sadly missing in the land of amore.

Sunday 16th Pretty

Today was actually a rather pleasant day. The some came back out and the rain went away. Just in time too. It wouldn’t do to have it rain on my folks. I am very excited to see my family, although it requires that I put my room in order…

Monday 17th- Last Theatre Class

Today was my absolute last theatre class. It was very entertaining and I now have a bunch of pictures which I can post.

Tuesday 18th Lost

This was a very long and tiring day with a Misleading GPS and bad service. Additionally, I almost killed my folks by talking them up a one way road the wrong way. But on the bright side I showed my folks the Ducal Palace, Fortezza and lots of pretty countryside.

Wednesday 19th Fiorentina Steak

Today we woke up very late. When we were finally up, we went down to see the Academia and the Duomo. David was rather impressive as always and Florence’s Duomo is still my favorite. Afterwards, we continued down to the Piazza della signora where we found a nice restaurant all in pink. Inside this interesting restaurant Grandma ordered a bear with her pizza.
Next, we wandered down to the Ponte Vecchio and then returned to a place the folks had eaten before Trattoria San Zanobi 33A r. They’ve been there since 1924, but they just repainted the place to match the façade of the Duomo. The elderly couple running the place couldn’t have been nicer and the prices were reasonable. I finally had my Fiorentina Steak and it was incredible.

Thursday 20th San. Marco & Uffizi

On Thursday we went to the church of Saint Marco, which was right near hour hotel. The church was Dominican and had many great works of early Renaissance art. Additionally there were quite a few scenes from the life of Savonarola.
After this we headed over to the famous Uffizi.

For dinner we found this crowded little restaurant with even better food (L’Brincello Via Nazionale, 110/r). Everything was very well priced and the atmosphere was just right (with the exception of the annoying accordion player). I had a very good grilled chicken salad while Dad and Doug split an even better Fiorentina steak. When in Florence, eat like the Florentines.

Friday 21st Travel to Rome

So everything was good, except the fact that someone bought the tickets leaving from the wrong train station! After a lot of pleading in Italian they eventually changed the unchangeable tickets. Once we arrived we went immediately for lunch and then returned to our hotel which was incredibly nice and only two blocks from the train station. Good thing we didn’t get a cab.

Saturday 22nd Piazza Navona, Church of Jesus and Maria (feast of Saint Rita da Cascia), Spanish Steps, Vatican- Where’s Grandma?

Ok, we did everything in the list, but the highlight was losing grandma. We were separated in the room Maps and found a few hours later. No worries, Doug and I had enough time to climb to the top of St. Peter’s Dome. Great view of Rome!

Sunday 23rd Coliseum

Sunday, we decided to try breakfast at our hotel. Turns out it was free and pretty good and a bit more Italian than McDonalds.

We than got back on the metro and took line B down to the Coliseum. After taking a bunch of pretty pictures, we trekked over to the ancient forum. Unfortunately, it was looking rather shabby, as if someone let it fall into disrepair. Nevertheless, it was a very warm and pleasant day. We also had a very good lunch and napped half the afternoon away.

Monday 24th Pantheon + Trevy Fountain

So today we got a rather late start, but still got to see some really interesting stuff. The first thing we did was to hope on the metro for the Pantheon. The Pantheon is one of my favorite structures in Rome, even though it has a whole in the ceiling. Surprisingly, we got a free tour. One man who overheard us talking deemed us to be more intelligent than the average tourist and took It upon himself to clarify the history of both the pantheon and Italy during World War II. The church was once a temple to the Gods, not all the Gods, but the Gods of the different planets. However today, it is a church with the tombs of the first two kings of Italy along with Raphael d’ Sanzio.

After the Pantheon we found lunch at this rather interesting French Restaurant (L’Lau Vive Via Monterone 85). The restaurant was run by French missionaries and there were a bunch of nuns jabbing away at the table behind us. The roast beef was excellent and it was a very different experience. Once we had finished, we trekked over to take some pictures by the Trevy fountain where it began to pour on us. Thankfully, it let up before dinner!

Tuesday 25th Return trip

So today I saw my folks off and headed back to Urbino, It was a marvelous day and we all went up to the fortress to study. After the fortress I stopped in and was the surprise guest on my friends’ campus radio station show.

Wednesday 26th Studying

Not much to report, just doing some last minute studying. I’ve got my Italian Final tomorrow and an assignment for my summer psych class do this Friday. Anyway I’m not terribly worried. I feel like I’ve really learned quite a lot, although writing might give me some trouble. I can barely get through these blog entries.

Thursday 27th Exam

Thursday Morning was my exam. It began at 9:00 and 3 hours later the written part was done. When people asked me how it went all I would reply was it was done. I can read Italian, speak it passably, but I can assure you that I will not be writing any great treatises in the Italian language anytime soon.

After I finished the oral part I ran into Anahi and her Italian friend. It was a good thing I stopped to chat, because that man told me that he’s already been to the Ancona airport and that it stays open all night. Once I finished dinner, I was asked out to see a show at Teatro Sanzio. It was a free show and very cute, but unfortunately we arrived rather late and it ran rather short. At the least I can now say that I’ve seen theatre in Italy.

Friday 28th Show Syrians- tango

Exam is over- all that's left is to pack and say goodbye! I said goodbye to Peter and the remaining Villanova gang at lunch. However, I got to see Peter again that night at a concert by the dorms. He brought his harmonica and was rocking out hard with the local band. It was fun to watch.

After dinner I gave my last Tango lesson to my two prize pupils. There was a big party going on nearby so we just stole the music. And after the music had finished we just went over and partied it up. Although the organizers claimed that this party was for some student government election we all know it was really to send me off well.

Saturday 29th Pingpong

My last Day!! The entire morning I spent packing and after lunch my roomate helped me lug my 35 kg luggage from the cellar where I sleep. I turned in my room key but not before leaving my mark. In my room there are many signature's from students who have stayed there in past years. I signed my name, dated it, and drew a picture of a heart with the word "italiano" in it because I liked to say that "Io ho un coure Italiano" I have an Italian heart!

After packing everything up I went to play one final match of ping pong with my friend Jirai. We had scheduled this match for the previous night, but the security guards turned off the lights and told us to go to sleep. Anyways, it was better that it was delayed, because I played much better the next day(either that or he gave it to me). While I was playing I good number of my friends dropped by and said their last goodbyes. Many gave me their contact info and had me sign mementos and promise to visit some day(I'm definitely going to follow up on Buenos Aires). After the game some of my friends waited with me until my bus arrived and I headed out!

But that wasn't the end. I thought I had left all my friends behind, but when I got to Pesaro I found the Syrian Contingent hanging out in the train station. Turns out they were buying tickets for Rimini and heading for a party up there(planned on staying the night). Anyway, it was rather fortunate for me because they were hysterical and fun to talk to while I waited for my train.

Saturday 29th Night/ Sunday Morning

So I decided to split the night up, because I really didn't sleep. When I arrived at the trainstation in falconara Marritima I asked the taxi driver for a ride over to the Airport. He readily agreed, but he was quite convinced that the airport would close at midnight. Sure enough, when we got there we discovered that that was the case. However my flight was at 7:00am the next morning and there was no other way I'd make the flight. So we begged and the lone security guard agreed to let me spend the night in the locked airport. I found a couple chairs, set my bags down and then fell asleep- alone.

I woke several times throughout the night (not a very comfortable bed, nor comforting atmoshphere). But at 3:00am I woke to the noise of a man knocking at the glass door, begging me in English to let him in (because at this time it was very cold). However, I did not want to set off any alarms and did not know where the guard was so I just said sorry and went back to sleep. All I could think was I was glad I was inside and that I didn't want to set off any alarms (eventually someone let him in). At 5:30 the check in began and after paying a fortune for my baggage which weighed to much I was on my way to Rome.

The flight from Rome to Newark was rather painless. Yes, it was almost 9 hours, but I was lucky enough to be seated next to a very interesting fellow my age, who had just spent his summer abroad in Cairo, Egypt. This was also his first time abroad and we enjoyed discussing the different things we learned about the new cultures. When we were sick of talking I watched a bit of the on flight movie (Hannah Montana!). I was very happy to realize that I understood everything, even though it was dubbed in Italian.

Around 1:30 pm. Easter time we arrived in Newark airport and after picking up my lugging and saying goodbye to my new friend I found my family- Mom, Dad, and Chris were waiting form me. Chris gave me a big grin and they seemed genuinely happy to see me Honestly, it felt good to be back!

The End

So it was written, and so it was done!

Sorry that these last few entries were so late and that I forgot how to write in English. Nevertheless, this blog has the least typos of any I have ever written (it is also the only I have ever written). This will be my last entry on this blog, although I may add more pictures as I come upon them. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed Nick Schaefer's CONQUEST OF ITALY!

Ciao tutti!