We have been officially gone a whole week now.  We have all been through one week of classes (rain and shine), one week of riding uncomfortable bikes, one week of getting lost and familiarizing ourselves with our new surroundings, and one week of gorgeous scenery.  Wednesday, we went to an agricultural high school called Pastori.  Pastori is like a technical or vocational school back home.  Students here learn about more abstract professions and are specifically trained for them here.  Professions include farming, working a green house, social services, and lab work.  In class Friday, we found out the local newspaper was at Pastori for our visit, and we were all in the Brescia newspaper. 

During our Italian class Friday, we also got to spend about an hour with the students and help them practice their English.  It was one American student to a group of 5 or so Italian students.  They were interested in our families, siblings, pets, interests in sports, music and movies, and asked us to compare Philadelphia and Brescia.  They were shocked to find out that most people drive cars, and that bikes are mostly used for exercise instead of a form of transportation.  The girls in my group asked about my flip flops, because they only wear them at the beach.  It was really interesting to compare interests and our backgrounds with the Italian students, because of how similar or different each topic was. 

This past weekend, we traveled to Tuscany to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa and spend a day or so in Florence.  I know I was excited!!!

~Katie

A Long Weekend

A large group of us kicked off our first weekend in a great way!  We hit three major cities, which included, Venice, Florence, and Pisa.  Saturday morning we left for Venice and it was AMAZING!!!!!!  It was a beautiful city that contained some of the most amazing artwork.  Although it was very beautiful, it was also costly!  To use a restroom, we had to pay .80 cents!!!  One thing we got done, that was not expected was the gondola we took a ride on through the city!  This was one thing I've always wanted to experience, and I'm glad i got to do so with such a fantastic and fun group of people!  The day was long, but all the artwork and the view of Venice, from the top of the Campanile di San Marco (bell tower)  was amazing!  Although the day was long, it did not compare to what we had in store for us for Sunday.

Sunday morning the same group of people woke up to explore the cities of Florence and Pisa.  Using the restrooms in Florence was similar to that of Venice, so we all decided to hold off until we found a FREE bathroom.  When you first get off the train in Florence, you do not expect much.  But behind the vendors on the street is one beautiful city.  Florence was amazing!  Although we did not get to go in and explore, the group all stopped and took several pictures of the Duono di Frienze.  We could not leave because we could not get over  how beautiful the outside of the church was.  This was when the second half, of what we'd like to call, the longest walk of our lives began.  We decided to go see the Statue of David and walked up several flights of steps and very steep hills.  Once you got at the top and saw the view, the walking made it worth it.  Florence is such a beautiful city and it is something I would recommend to anyone!

We finished our day off by taking a trip to Pisa, which in my opinion was my favorite experience so far!  When we first laid eyes on the tower, everyone was shocked at the size of it.  It is not nearly as big as pictures make it sound, but it for sure has a visiable lean that you can not miss!  Gwen, Nick, and myself decided to buy tickets to climb to the top.  This was my FAVORITE part of the trip.  When walking up the steps you literally lean to one side, then walk straight for a little, then continue to lean to the other side.  The steps took the wind out of us, but it was beautiful from the top.  Every time you thought you were at the top, there was still one more floor higher.  After being at the top and taking in the experience we noticed we had only 20 minuntes to get to the train.  Our group had to SPRINT through Pisa to make it on time.

All in all, we had a great weekend, and also got a good workout in while at it!!!

Ciao!  Christine

Verona.

Yesterday, on top of everything we've already done, we  had an afternoon off so we decided to take the train up to Verona.  A couple of us had seen the film, "Letters to Juliet" before we left for Italy and they just had to see Verona!  So, I tagged along.  Well, you can only imagine what a fiasco it was getting there!  They had the Fast Ticket machines there just like in the US so we didn't have to wait in the incredibly long line to get our tickets.  However, it wouldn't let us purchase all of our round trip tickets at once and there were 11 of us!  Needless to say, I ended up telling the rest of the group to go on ahead and jump on the train and Jon and I got left behind...

We decided we needed to capture this moment with a picture!

Luckily, there was an express train that would get us to Verona 20 minutes after our friends arrived there.  It was a bit more money, but the trip was not going to be worth it if we couldn't get there as soon as possible!  So, we purchased the tickets and waited patiently for the next train to show up.  It was actually a very nice train!  It was much nicer than what you would expect from Amtrak for sure!  After a little craziness, we arrived in Verona.  

It is a very small city and we pretty much saw everything in about 3 hours but it was a perfect trip for the afternoon.  Pictured above is the Arena di Verona.  There is one very similar in Rome.  Perhaps you've heard of it? ;)  While in Verona, we made our way through the streets to Juliet's house (of course!)  The tunnel leading into the courtyard was decorated with love notes and letters.  I, of course, left one...

We also got to view Juliet's balcony from the famous balcony scene in the play.

Apparently, it is a known fact in Verona, that if you touch the uncovered breast of Juliet's statue, that you will receive good luck.  Well, I don't know about you, but I can always use a little extra luck!

And finally, before a nice dinner by the Arena, we visited Romeo's dwelling.  It wasn't quite as exciting as Juliet's dwelling but at least we can say we've been there!

Overall it was an amazing week and I can't believe that I have 3 more left!  This experience is nothing I could have ever dreamed of! 

-Jenna

Speaking English with Italian Students.

Today we had our first Italian quiz. Before Mrs. Clewis gave us our quiz we were broken up into two seperate groups to go and talk with the Italian students from the high school. I was in the first group so I was told I would be taking my quiz later. When we went into the classroom all of the students looked at us and smilied like we were famous. The teacher then told us we could have about a half hour to converse with the students about things we wanted to know about them and things they wanted to know about us Americans. We all sat in a circle and we introduced ourselves in Italian. The students were very impressed with the way we could introduce ourselves and I was happy that finally someone could understand me. To my surprise the Italian students were just like us. They had difficulties in school and lived the same life as us. One of my questions to the Italian students was about if they atteneded a prom or not. I was told that there was no such thing as a prom. They instead celebrate something to finish off the end of the year. I also found out that the students had a choice of what kind of school they wanted to attend after they were finished middle school. I asked one Italian student, "Why did you choose this high school?" She responded with, "I really like to study and I really would like to attend the Catholic University after Liceo which means a classical high school." These students are pushed to their highest limits to be successful in their studies. Overall I really enjoy studying Itailian in this school building and I am at ease to know we are accpeted in their school.  =)


-Amanda

Two Different Worlds

Today we talked to English speaking classes within the high school we attend Italian class at.  It was a fun experience,and we all laughed the entire time!!   The three Italian students that I was paired up with, talked about the differences and similarities between the United States and their home country, Italy.  It was not surprising to see that we live in two completely different worlds.  The school day in Italy last from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and attend class from Monday until Saturdays.  I looked at them and asked them how they felt about Saturday class, all responded with the same answer.  It is terrible and they hate it!!!  We also talked about how the students can choose whether or not they can study music or art, where as in my high school, it was mandatory to complete both of the two courses.  One other difference that I was blown away by was that the students are free to smoke outside of school during class time.  Some students were even lighting up with their teachers!  In my high school, it was frowned upon by the teachers to do this, and if you really felt it necessary to go out and smoke, you would of had to leave school property and go down the street and around the corner to do so.  Good luck fitting all of that in within 4 minutes.

The three students and myself also talked about other topics other than the school day.  In general, we all like to listen to the same music (Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga) and pretty much partake in the same out of school activities such as shopping, going out with friends, and lounging on days we don't have school!  My favorite question that the students asked me, still have me laughing to this minutes!  The girls asked me if American schools can typically relate to the series of events that happens in the movie "Mean Girls".  This made me laugh because it is one of the most popular movies in America, and personally, is my favorite as well.  I told them some high schools are exactly the same as what you see, but you have to choose your friends wisely because you do not want to get mixed up in all that rudeness.  It also makes me laugh because American movies can sometimes make The United States look bad, and gives the assumption that rudeness, selfishness, and bad behavior is a common trait for all of us.  Today was an overall fun day and I can't wait to compare and contrast the differences between the two countries!! :)

Christine

Life in Brescia

This past Monday, I officially began my courses in Italian language and culture here in Brescia, while still adjusting to my new life here.  I, along with everyone in the group, attended our language course at a local high school nearby.  From the moment we first arrived, many of the Italian students showed immediate fascination by us, not a single person walked by without staring.  Elisa taught us along with Mattia in a small classroom.  I learned quite a lot of the Italian language that I had not previously known prior.

I am also becomming more skilled in communicating with the people in Brecia, especially while shopping and asking for directions.  I am glad to be able to communicate more with them and enough without too many language barriers.

Of course I did not have courses without some fun activities in between.  On Tuesday, after class, we all took a trip to the Santa Giuliaa Museum.  It was a fantastic museum full of history of Brescia during ancient times.  I saw many pieces and artifacts from the temples and churches!  There were even remains of ancient Brescia homes!  I had previouslly known that Brescia was the "Lioness" of ancient Roman times, but today I witnessed the reasons why.

     

Everything at the museum was so well-preserved for being over  a thousand years old.   I even had the chance to the church and its painted murals.  It was a taste of the Vatican since there were wonderous paintings all around the walls and the ceiling of Jesus on the cross, and other religious images.

I really enjoyed my visit to the Santa Giula museum because I learned so much about Brescia's history. 

Today we all paid a visit to the Pastori high school.  We were to speak to the students about the school systems in America, and them to tell us about school systems in Italy.  Like the other school, the students were fascinated by us, but they were actusally cheering for us when we arrived!  I felt very welcomed and special.  After the meeting, we bought some snacks at the cafeteria, and began our tour of the farm next to the school.  That was when I learned the Pastori school was a tech. school for the studnets to learn skills for life.  The farm was absolutely beautiful!  There were lots of flowers and plants growing in the fields all around.  We toured several sections of the farm.  First, the wine factory, in which there were huge tanks that stored the wine.  Next was the floral gardens, and finallythe farm animals!  I got pictures of cows, goats, pigs, horses, even an ostrich which was a big surprise!  I wish I could have pet all of them.

  

Nearly finished the first week in Brescia and it was so much fun!  I look forward to the next surprises. 

-Gabrielle

Discovering Natural Beauty and New Friendships.

On Sunday Kristin, Crystal, Michelle, Marley, and I decided to venture off into the city and just get lost with no objective in mind.  We went the complete opposite way that we were used to and ended up stumbling upon the castle on the mountain that over looks all of Brescia.  However, we could not find the entrance to the castle and made it our goal to get to the top.  When walking along the path we experienced amazing sights as we got closer to the castle.  Little did we know we weren't even on the right path.  We kept walking and seeing the most beautiful sights that words cannot describe.  The many views of the city and all the other mountains around them were becoming more and more beautiful than we could imagine.  The higher we climbed the better it became.  Finally, we reached the castle and there was a mini fair going on.  Little children were running around and happily playing while parents pleasantly stood by.  Inside the walls of the castle were flowers all over the place.  All of them were beautiful colors that caught the eye.  We walked up some stairs then down a path to what we thought would be the corner of the castle, but once again we went the wrong way for the better.  We reached what we thought was a dead end until I saw a steep path that went on top of a mini bridge.  We decided to climb and our faces said it all when we reached the top.  There was another half of the city and it was the sight of all sights.  Houses and people everywhere, vineyards left and right, and mountains as far as the eye could see.  We found the most beautiful part of the whole trip.

Right then and there we made a pact, we would show people the castle, but not the way we came and where our journey ended.  This was our little secret that no one else could know about.  With that being said, I experienced so much in one day that was supposed to take the whole trip. The main thing was the friendship of people who were complete strangers to me and I can now call them my friends.

(From L-R): Michelle, Crystal, Kristin and Marley

(From L-R): Marley, Kristin, Tom and Crystal

-Tom

An Amazing First Weekend in Italy!

Our first weekend in Italy was amazing!  On Sunday we went to a festival and saw the Italians dancing.  

Below is a video of one of the Italian dances that we saw.

Then we went to a Pizzeria with the group and we each got our own pizza.  The whole experience is a lot different than it is in the U.S.  They serve water in bottles and have cups on the table and fizzy water is very popular so acqua naturale is the non-fizzy kind and in my opinion, the good water! Also, in most restaurants they build a seating charge into the bill which is very different from the U.S.  Elisa Clewis paid for our welcome dinner which was very nice.  She also brought some guests and her little daughter Sofia who is the most adorable little girl!

After the Pizzeria, a group of us went to a cafe called Bar Bar where we ordered cappuccinos and other drinks.  In Italy they take their time with everything and don't give you the check right away.  At some places you even need to ask for it.  However, I love it so much better and it's such a nice change from the U.S. where everything is rushed and people are always on the go.  We got to sit outside next to the church and in the square; it was beautiful!  After the cafe, Jon and I went to a restaurant/bar to see a live band with one of his Italian roommates, Luca.  The place was so nice and I've noticed that a lot of the restaurants have brick ceilings and are so beautiful inside.  The band was really good and even sang in English so we could understand it.  I can't wait to see what's in store for us next!
-Angela

Still Making Adjustments.

The first couple days I have been trying to get adjusted to the town and the culture. At first I felt a little uneasy but the more we go out the more comfortable I feel.  I’m going to have so much fun to riding my little tie dye colored bike down the streets. Sometime it’s hard because of all the people and cars but eventually we will get used to it.  The town of Brescia is beautiful and I can’t wait for the rest of the trip!
-Kristin

Discovering Cultural Differences

Today was another exciting and eventful day! This morning we started out going to a Latin Catholic mass, which would have been a great experience, however we were not dressed appropriately so they wouldn’t let a few of us in. Now we know for next time! You are not allowed to wear skirts, shorts, tank tops and dresses that are strapless or with spaghetti straps. I believe this church is one of the oldest churches in Brescia, which would have made it a great experience. After that failed attempt we went to a bar (Café for the people at home) and got a cappuccino. I think I am now addicted to them! We learned that in a café or restaurant that they usually include seating charge therefore you don’t have to tip much. It’s a lot different than home. Some people will not even accept tips if you give it to them. Now in the more touristy cities they like to get tips.  While discovering Italy we learned that we have to be more "rude" in a way. They can tell we are tourists because we smile so much and we are polite compared to many of the Italians. After our cappuccino we drove our bikes to the schools where we will be taking our classes.

(In Piazza Arnaldo which is very close to where our classes are being held.)

 We took a detour to a Gelato shop, which had amazing gelatos. 

Being here is so surreal. Riding our bikes through a real Italian town with the locals is an experience that I can't describe.  Every street we ride down is scenic and beautiful. I can't wait to discover more of this beautiful country!!

(Taken during our walk all over Brescia.)

-Jonathon

GMC In Italy Day-1