Okay, well…since last post I didn’t really go to Naples. We decided it was too expensive for a weekend adventure so we stayed in Siena and had a comfort party. We ate homemade macaroni and cheese and a bunch of other calories that I will never speak about again. Still, it was a lot of fun…we don’t feel like we missed out on anything, and we’ll probably be heading down to Naples some other time.
Since we didn’t venture down the boot, we had a lot of time for fun stuff around Siena. Firstly, I went to another contrada party here in Siena. I mentioned one that I went to before, but there are two Palios every year, so two big parties (one for each winner). This party had a much bigger budget than the first and we all had a lot of fun walking around the streets of Siena at night, as they had been completely transformed with amazing decorations.
Dancing in the bubbles
The Bruco Contrada put on quite a show that night. The picture above is of one area of the party where they created “snow” by showering passersby with bubbles. It was an adventure for sure. We also visited my new favorite place in Siena while we were hanging around here. The Tea Room! My dear friend Jessica suggested that I visit this place as soon as I got to Siena. I slacked on my responsibility a little bit, but I have finally discovered this great place and plan to visit it often. They offer an assortment of teas and cocktails as well as delicious desserts in a quaint little room that is always lively and filled with people just catching up. I love it there.
Martina, Antonio and I at the Tea Room
Exploring the city alone is really fun, especially because we have been able to find little gems like a park to sit in or the lovely Tea Room. However, it is also really nice to have Senese natives show us things. Our program is really good at helping us experience Italian culture, and it includes several outings as a large group. Last week, for example, we went on a wine tasting adventure in Dievole, in the Chianti Region. It was totally free and we got to sample some yummy cheese and several different wines. Then we had the opportunity to buy some at a discounted price. The director of the UC Program in Siena accompanied us to the winery (tough job!), which was a treat because he is a sommalier. He was able to give us some really interesting history about the region and also some specific wine tasting techniques.
With the Program Director, Antonio
The wine tasting excursion took about 3-4 hours and when we got back a bunch of people from the program congregated at our apartment.
Brandon, Allie, Rachel, Stephanie and I
It is fun when we all get together because everyone is starting to find where they fit in the program. We’ve made some really nice Italian friends (it was easy, they live here with us) and are continuing to meet Californian students from different universities. It is definitely a mix of experiences and often you can tell which university someone if affiliated with before they tell you. So, meeting other American students is never boring. Some Oregon State students just moved in next door, so we are all really looking forward to meeting them as well.
This weekend we went to the EuroChocolate Festival in Perugia, about an hour and a half away from Siena, which was amazing…but I will talk more about that next time because I don’t have pictures from it yet. You really have to see all the chocolate to believe it.
Our classes are getting more and more difficult. They have changed the program this year and added several components which is, I must say, quite disappointing. I do feel sometimes like my classes are getting in the way of me learning Italian. We spend so much time studying and worrying about our grades that I think we are in our apartments far too much and are not spending nearly enough time actually experiencing the city and culture. But, thus is life…I absolutely love my teacher, so that is exciting. I feel very lucky to have such an amazing teacher…she may be the best teacher I have ever had.
Next weekend we are going on another trip which is included in the program which is a weekend excursion to Bologna. Bologna is famous for their amazing food, it is said to be some of the best in Italy. I am very excited to eat my stress away after the daunting week that is ahead. So, I definitely have something to look forward too.
Anyway, life in Italy is good. I am starting to get excited for Christmas, though. Some of the people here have made the mistake of starting to listen to Christmas music now…but I am not so foolish. They are all getting very homesick…the connection is undeniable.
I do miss everyone though and I hope all is well!
More updates to come!
Chocolate festival?? Yummy!!! Sounds like you have a fun life!!