Today was beach (la spaiggia) day. This morning we went to Rimini to spend the day at the beach. Rimini, is on the Adriatic Sea and is still in Emilia Romagna. It was of the most famous beach spots on the Adriatic Sea and it is frequented by many European tourists,especially Germans. One of the most famous people from Rimini is the late film director Federico Fellini.
The students seemed to have a great time. After the beach, we came back to Bologna and had a nice group dinner.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Venerdi' 18 luglio
Our usual routine of going to Italian class, cooking class, dance class, and the gym was a bit altered today. Today, just like in past years, we were invited to the Mayor's office to meet the Mayor, Sergio Cofferati, who has been the mayor of Bologna since 2004. Unfortunately today, the students were not able to meet Cofferati himself, since there was a strike going on. All the bus drivers were on strike for one day, so the Mayor was having a press conference at the same time as our meeting. We were, however, greeted by Benedetto, Cofferati's international press secretary. He gave the students a tour of the Mayor's office and then spoke with them for about an hour. He explained to students a little bit about Bologna and then asked all of them where they were from. Some of the students answered him in Italian, which in turn Benedetto told me how impressed he was with their Italian!
After our meeting at the Mayor's office, we took a group picture beside the famous Neptune statue in Pizza Maggiore. We will then frame this picture and give it to Alessandra at the cooking school. It has become an Abbey Road tradition to take a group photo and give it to Alessandra on the last day of cooking school.
After our meeting at the Mayor's office, we took a group picture beside the famous Neptune statue in Pizza Maggiore. We will then frame this picture and give it to Alessandra at the cooking school. It has become an Abbey Road tradition to take a group photo and give it to Alessandra on the last day of cooking school.
Mercoledi 16 luglio
Life in Bologna is going very well. All the students are so nice and it appears that we are very fortunate to have such a wonderful group. Everyone has settled in and the students now feel as though they are an active part of daily life in Bologna. In fact, they no longer consider themselves as tourists. They go to class on their own, they ride the bus, they attend cooking class.
On Mondays and Fridays, class is at the pool, so during their break and after class, they may go and swim. The rest of the days, classes are held in the park or around the city depending on the activity. Their are two classes. Jenny teaches the beginners and Giovanni the advanced group. There are 15 beginners and 7 advanced students. It is amazing how much Italian they have picked up! We had seven students sign a language pledge where they promised to try to speak to the staff only in Italian and we would also only speak to them in Italian. We were so impressed that the majority of those signing the pledge were from beginning group. We also offer every night an Italian cafe, where students can meet (we usually go for gelato) and have Italian conversation for about an hour to an hour and a half. Again the beginners are attending in great numbers!
Our mercoledi'(Wednesday) excursion was to the Ducati factory. For those of you who may not know, Ducati is motorcycle company Ducati was founded in Bologna, back in 1926. Since then the company has developed from a small, family run company producing small radio components to an international motorcycle and entertainment brand. Less than 10 years ago, Ducati management decided to invest in a Ducati museum to inform the world about the iconic machines and legendary heroes of Ducati's long and proud history. The students were able to take a tour of the actually factory and see how the motorcycles are built and then visit the museum. Just like at the Ferrari museum, students did not purchase any mortorcycles, but I am quite sure that we have created some new fans!
On Mondays and Fridays, class is at the pool, so during their break and after class, they may go and swim. The rest of the days, classes are held in the park or around the city depending on the activity. Their are two classes. Jenny teaches the beginners and Giovanni the advanced group. There are 15 beginners and 7 advanced students. It is amazing how much Italian they have picked up! We had seven students sign a language pledge where they promised to try to speak to the staff only in Italian and we would also only speak to them in Italian. We were so impressed that the majority of those signing the pledge were from beginning group. We also offer every night an Italian cafe, where students can meet (we usually go for gelato) and have Italian conversation for about an hour to an hour and a half. Again the beginners are attending in great numbers!
Our mercoledi'(Wednesday) excursion was to the Ducati factory. For those of you who may not know, Ducati is motorcycle company Ducati was founded in Bologna, back in 1926. Since then the company has developed from a small, family run company producing small radio components to an international motorcycle and entertainment brand. Less than 10 years ago, Ducati management decided to invest in a Ducati museum to inform the world about the iconic machines and legendary heroes of Ducati's long and proud history. The students were able to take a tour of the actually factory and see how the motorcycles are built and then visit the museum. Just like at the Ferrari museum, students did not purchase any mortorcycles, but I am quite sure that we have created some new fans!
Bologna- 13 luglio
Our first domenica (Sunday) in Bologna. The students were able to sleep in until 10:00, though I am not sure how many would consider this sleeping in. At 10:00, we took a walking tour of Bologna with a fantastic guide.
For those you who do not know much about Bologna. Bologna from the Latin Bononia is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, in the Po Valley (Pianura Padana in Italian), between the Po River and the Apennines, exactly between the Reno River and the Sàvena River. Bologna is home to the oldest university in the Western world, "Alma Mater Studiorum", founded in 1088, and is one of the most developed cities in Italy. Bologna ranks often as one of the top cities related to quality of life in Italy. This is due to its strong industrial tradition and physical position--located at the crossing of the most important highways and railways in the country--as well as its wide range of highly-developed social services. Because of its vast industry and entrepreneurial spirit, Bologna hosts 15% of all the immigrants that are living in Italy. So, despite being a small city it is a very diverse and cosmopolitan city.
After our tour of Bologna, the students had the rest of the day off to explore. They are already beginning to navigate the city as locals. At dinner, we had pizza on the terrace, had evening activities and then called it a day.
For those you who do not know much about Bologna. Bologna from the Latin Bononia is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, in the Po Valley (Pianura Padana in Italian), between the Po River and the Apennines, exactly between the Reno River and the Sàvena River. Bologna is home to the oldest university in the Western world, "Alma Mater Studiorum", founded in 1088, and is one of the most developed cities in Italy. Bologna ranks often as one of the top cities related to quality of life in Italy. This is due to its strong industrial tradition and physical position--located at the crossing of the most important highways and railways in the country--as well as its wide range of highly-developed social services. Because of its vast industry and entrepreneurial spirit, Bologna hosts 15% of all the immigrants that are living in Italy. So, despite being a small city it is a very diverse and cosmopolitan city.
After our tour of Bologna, the students had the rest of the day off to explore. They are already beginning to navigate the city as locals. At dinner, we had pizza on the terrace, had evening activities and then called it a day.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Modena- 12 luglio
Today we had a day trip to Modena, which is a small town about an hour away from Bologna. it is still located in the Emilia Romagna region. Modena has a population of about 179,937 people.
We started our journey by visiting l'Acetai di Giorgio. An acetai is a place where they make Balsamic vinegar.Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is unique from all other vinegar based condiments.Unlike ordinary vinegar which has its origins in an alcoholic liquid, balsamic vinegar is produced directly from grape juice. Grapes, harvested in the region in which balsamic vinegar is produced, are crushed and their liquid "must" is boiled in an open vot ouer a fire.This liquid is then placed in high quality wooden barrels in which through un oxidation process, it is transformed into vinegar.
The barrels are kept in a vinegar loft acetaia where over a number of years, the precious liquid inside is lovingly cared for through a special technique involving transfers and topping up. The students were able hen to purchase vinegar made by Giorgio himslef.
Editor's note: I learned all the above information from the tour. I am by no means an expert on making vinegar.
After the tour of the Acetai, our hosts Giorgio and Giovanni had a nice lunch for us in the yard and we ate typical dishes from the region. After lunch we went to the Ferrari museum which is located in Maranello, a suburb of Modena. part of the visit is devoted to Enzo Ferrari's life and the other to the Formula 1 and street cars made by Ferrari. No worries, none of the students purchased a car Sorry :)
After Ferrari, we went back to Modena itself. We offered all the kids a gelato and then we visited the main cathedral. After we gave the students about an hour and a half to explore the city.
We started our journey by visiting l'Acetai di Giorgio. An acetai is a place where they make Balsamic vinegar.Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is unique from all other vinegar based condiments.Unlike ordinary vinegar which has its origins in an alcoholic liquid, balsamic vinegar is produced directly from grape juice. Grapes, harvested in the region in which balsamic vinegar is produced, are crushed and their liquid "must" is boiled in an open vot ouer a fire.This liquid is then placed in high quality wooden barrels in which through un oxidation process, it is transformed into vinegar.
The barrels are kept in a vinegar loft acetaia where over a number of years, the precious liquid inside is lovingly cared for through a special technique involving transfers and topping up. The students were able hen to purchase vinegar made by Giorgio himslef.
Editor's note: I learned all the above information from the tour. I am by no means an expert on making vinegar.
After the tour of the Acetai, our hosts Giorgio and Giovanni had a nice lunch for us in the yard and we ate typical dishes from the region. After lunch we went to the Ferrari museum which is located in Maranello, a suburb of Modena. part of the visit is devoted to Enzo Ferrari's life and the other to the Formula 1 and street cars made by Ferrari. No worries, none of the students purchased a car Sorry :)
After Ferrari, we went back to Modena itself. We offered all the kids a gelato and then we visited the main cathedral. After we gave the students about an hour and a half to explore the city.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Venerdì, 11 luglio
Students had the morning free today. Many went to the open-air market; which takes place every Friday and Saturday in a square in Bologna that is one block from the apartment. Giovanni and Marzia took a group of students to the park Giardini Margherita; where they had yoga and body sculpting. I took a group of students ( Sam, Liz, Kirk, Ed, and Dan) to visit the two towers. Le Torre Asinelli are the traditional symbol of Bologna, the tower stands at the strategic point where the old Aemilian way entered the town. It is 97.20 m-high with a drop of 2.23 meters and an inner staircase of 498 steps completed in 1684. Dante, who saw the tower before the process had started, compared it to a leaning Anteo in the 31st Canto of his Inferno.
The students had lunch on their own and right after lunch we gather on the terrace to take the students to the pool for their Italian class. I went and observed the class and it is amazing how much the beginners have already picked up. Their homework was to write 10 sentences in Italian about what they have in their room. The intermediate class is also doing well with Giovanni. It is harder to see the immediate improvements because they have already a basic knowledge, but they are still progressing nicely. The students have found a nice place in the shade to have class. In the middle of the lesson, they have a 10- minute break where students can go to the snack bar and get something to drink or eat. After Italian, students went either swimming or went to play tennis.
In the evening, the group went to a U2 cover band concert at the Giardini del Baraccano. Though I am not quite sure how many students knew the music of US before the concert, they became huge fans after and the lead singer twice made mention for a special hello to the Abbey Road students. You may be hearing a bit more U2 at home ☺
The students had lunch on their own and right after lunch we gather on the terrace to take the students to the pool for their Italian class. I went and observed the class and it is amazing how much the beginners have already picked up. Their homework was to write 10 sentences in Italian about what they have in their room. The intermediate class is also doing well with Giovanni. It is harder to see the immediate improvements because they have already a basic knowledge, but they are still progressing nicely. The students have found a nice place in the shade to have class. In the middle of the lesson, they have a 10- minute break where students can go to the snack bar and get something to drink or eat. After Italian, students went either swimming or went to play tennis.
In the evening, the group went to a U2 cover band concert at the Giardini del Baraccano. Though I am not quite sure how many students knew the music of US before the concert, they became huge fans after and the lead singer twice made mention for a special hello to the Abbey Road students. You may be hearing a bit more U2 at home ☺
Giovedì , 10 luglio
Today was the first day of class. All the students were enthusiastic about starting Italian class. Our two instructors are Jenny and Giovanni. Class today was held in the park of the Montagnola. After one day, the beginners have already learned some basic Italian and are practicing with each other and the staff. Class each day lasts about two and a half hours. The students learn new vocabulary and then are asked to perform real life tasks in the city, for example, asking for directions, ordering at the market, and or meeting people in the square.
Today was also the first day of cooking class at the Vecchia Scuola. The students met Alessandro, Alessandra, and her daughter Stefania. The students were greeted with an official t-shirt and hat, which they wear while they cook for sanitary reasons. The students were divided into groups.16 of the students were assigned to make fresh pasta, while the other six made the sauces for the pasta, the bread and dessert. On the menu was Strozzapreti with zucchini, tagliatelli with prosciutto, piadine (a type of flat bread) stuffed tomatoes with cheese and ciambella (a lemon cake). Once the students were done cooking (they cooked for about 2 hours), they all went outside on the terrace of the cooking school and ate what they had made. As an official taster, I have to say that the food they made was excellent…. Expect to eat well when the students come home!
Today was also the first day of cooking class at the Vecchia Scuola. The students met Alessandro, Alessandra, and her daughter Stefania. The students were greeted with an official t-shirt and hat, which they wear while they cook for sanitary reasons. The students were divided into groups.16 of the students were assigned to make fresh pasta, while the other six made the sauces for the pasta, the bread and dessert. On the menu was Strozzapreti with zucchini, tagliatelli with prosciutto, piadine (a type of flat bread) stuffed tomatoes with cheese and ciambella (a lemon cake). Once the students were done cooking (they cooked for about 2 hours), they all went outside on the terrace of the cooking school and ate what they had made. As an official taster, I have to say that the food they made was excellent…. Expect to eat well when the students come home!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Orientation to Bologna
We had a slow start this morning. Our first group meeting was at 10:30 am. All the students gathered on the terrace at Astoria. The terrace is our meeting place for all group activities, where we have group dinners, and where students gather when they have some time off.
On the agenda for today was Orientation to Bologna and the program. The staff and I took the group to Giardini Margherita, Bologna’s largest park. We had our orientation and then we had a picnic lunch. Despite a lot of information to remember, all the students were very attentive and asked some very good questions. All you parents should be very proud; you have raised some amazing kids! It is so nice to have a group of students who are extremely polite and friendly and so filled with excitement about being in Italy. The staff and I are having a geat time interacting with them!
After lunch, the students went on a digital scavenger hunt in the park and then the students taught the staff how to play Mafia! In the afternoon, the students went on their first grocery-shopping trip. Half the group went to Mercato dell Erbe an open-air market that has been around since 1910. The kids bought their own food from the various fruit, vegetable, bread, meat, and cheese vendors. The staff was in the background to help with vocabulary. Half the girls thought that some of the vendors were cute ☺!. Shopping took two hours because they wanted to stop at all the stalls and then began to bargain shop for the best prices.
After shopping, we had a catered dinner on the terrace from a famous Bologna restaurant, Pane e Vino. On the menu was pasta, different types of ham, prosciutto, and mortadella ( bologna), grilled vegetables and orzo with mozzarella. At night the most of the students went out to explore the city and or to the movie in the piazza. About 10 girls met some kids their age and they were trying to practice their Italian. They all cannot wait to start class tomorrow.
A domani
On the agenda for today was Orientation to Bologna and the program. The staff and I took the group to Giardini Margherita, Bologna’s largest park. We had our orientation and then we had a picnic lunch. Despite a lot of information to remember, all the students were very attentive and asked some very good questions. All you parents should be very proud; you have raised some amazing kids! It is so nice to have a group of students who are extremely polite and friendly and so filled with excitement about being in Italy. The staff and I are having a geat time interacting with them!
After lunch, the students went on a digital scavenger hunt in the park and then the students taught the staff how to play Mafia! In the afternoon, the students went on their first grocery-shopping trip. Half the group went to Mercato dell Erbe an open-air market that has been around since 1910. The kids bought their own food from the various fruit, vegetable, bread, meat, and cheese vendors. The staff was in the background to help with vocabulary. Half the girls thought that some of the vendors were cute ☺!. Shopping took two hours because they wanted to stop at all the stalls and then began to bargain shop for the best prices.
After shopping, we had a catered dinner on the terrace from a famous Bologna restaurant, Pane e Vino. On the menu was pasta, different types of ham, prosciutto, and mortadella ( bologna), grilled vegetables and orzo with mozzarella. At night the most of the students went out to explore the city and or to the movie in the piazza. About 10 girls met some kids their age and they were trying to practice their Italian. They all cannot wait to start class tomorrow.
A domani
Primo giorna a Bologna
Primo Giorno
Buon Giorno da Bologna! We arrived late this afternoon. When I arrived at the airport all the students had checked in and were sitting on the floor talking as if they were old friends. There is a really great group dynamic this year! The flight from New York left with a bit of a delay. We had one hour to connect to our flight to Bologna, but the kids were great and we “New York” walked to our gate and were able to make our flight. Three students did not receive their luggage when we arrived but one arrived today and we expect the other two tonight.
The students settled into their apartments, received the cell phones and called home. We had a group dinner (pizza and salad). After dinner, I taught some of the kids an Italian card game (Scala Quaranta). After the card game, we went on a short walking tour of Bologna. By midnight, we were all exhausted and looked forward to sleeping in our new beds!
A domani
Buon Giorno da Bologna! We arrived late this afternoon. When I arrived at the airport all the students had checked in and were sitting on the floor talking as if they were old friends. There is a really great group dynamic this year! The flight from New York left with a bit of a delay. We had one hour to connect to our flight to Bologna, but the kids were great and we “New York” walked to our gate and were able to make our flight. Three students did not receive their luggage when we arrived but one arrived today and we expect the other two tonight.
The students settled into their apartments, received the cell phones and called home. We had a group dinner (pizza and salad). After dinner, I taught some of the kids an Italian card game (Scala Quaranta). After the card game, we went on a short walking tour of Bologna. By midnight, we were all exhausted and looked forward to sleeping in our new beds!
A domani
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