How School Amici Made Me A Saint

by Leslie Leverone (Intermediate Italian student at School Amici)

Many people and especially my teachers have asked me over the years why I take Italian.  I often answered that my family was from Italy, or that that I just liked to go to the opera. After spending some serious time at School Amici, I have decided that the reason I take Italian is to help me develop moral excellence.

 

Leslie in Florence, Italy

It sounds pazzo (insane), but taking a language involves the development and execution of many heartfelt virtues.  And, I devote ogni mercoledì (every Wednesday) to the cause.  Each week I motivate to courage and bow to humility. What normal adult would spend two hours a week being scrutinized and corrected for illiteracy after spending a lifetime engaged in education?  Where else will people help you finish your sentences because you have just developed a fatal stutter? Più umiltà, insieme con la simpatia, viene per quelli con difficoltà di linguaggio. (More humility comes as well as sympathy for those with speech impediments). Everyone knows that the good teachers at School Amici encourage their students to often practice speaking the Italian language.  During one intervallo (break time), I decided to take their advice and I asked my teacher, Gerardo Perrotta, a question.  I knew the topic of hobbies would be safe, because the word “hobby” is the same in Italian and in English! I began…

"Signor Perrotta, ha qualche hobby?” (Mr. Perrotta, do you have any hobbies?). Now many of you know…but I didn’t at the time, that Gerardo Perrotta is passionate about stamp collecting.  In fact he recently authored a book, Phila-Italy Americana.  The book is about famous Italian-Americans on postage stamps.  Fortunately our conversation went one-sided and all I had to do was act interested and smile!  But…after our conversation, I kept wondering, who in the world was Franco Bollo?  Signor Perrotta had mentioned him in about every other sentence.  Sure I had heard of many famous Italian Americans like football coach, Vince Lombardi, and banker, Amadeo Gianni. I recognized singer, Rosa Ponselle, and everyone knows the professional boxer, Rocky Marciano. But who in the world was Franco Bollo?

After class I “googled” Franco Bollo.  Results showed a punk rock band and a Facebook Member. I did not have a Facebook account, so I searched for information about the “bad boys in the band!”  No luck …they were Swedish! At the time, I didn’t think to go to “Google Italia,” so I resorted to the usual frantic search through the textbook.  Yes… I did find Franco Bollo.  He was waiting for me, and sitting right there in the glossary. Franco Bollo or rather "francobollo", was listed as a postage stamp!

È interessante che quella sera mi ha portato alcune nuove virtù.(Interestingly, that evening led me to some new virtues). I added temperance, diligence, patience, and wisdom!  I even introduced myself to the saints while I amped up serious piety.  St. Thomas said, “The virtue of real humility consists in keeping oneself within one’s own bounds, not reaching out to things above one, but submit to one’s superior.”  I quietly thanked Tom and decided to restrict any further Italian conversation.  So I did not register this term for Advanced Conversational Italian #105, because I was penning my new Italian book, How School Amici Made Me A Saint. 

A Christmas Tale

by Michele Alonzo
Area Representative for World Heritage Student Exchange Program

When Cecilia arrived to Cincinnati from her Italian hometown, Turin, on August 18 this year, the last thing she expected was to recover from the jetlag in a hospital bed, under general anesthesia. Only hours after landing on the American continent, Cecilia was evaluated for a sudden abdominal pain at a medical facility in Mason, Ohio. Diagnosis: acute appendicitis. Treatment: urgent appendectomy. Against all odds!

Cecilia after surgery

Being an Italian exchange student and having never been in the USA before, what better welcome could she have had from her host family than holding hands while she was being wheeled to the operating room only 24 hours after her arrival. Everything went nicely and smoothly. Her American mom, Lisa, spent the whole night with her in the hospital after surgery; she was there when Cecilia woke up and helped with her first American meal: cold, orange Jello!

Lisa and Mike Ruggiero encouraged and emotionally supported her before and after surgery; Cecilia could not have had better care by her new family during those days. This episode ended up as one of those stories to tell to her grandchildren someday. What a wonderful moment of bonding for Cecilia with the Ruggiero family. She was never scared and felt always part of that family that she had met only 24 hours before. She was comfortable from the first moment with those American parents who reassured her and her natural family in Italy, just like they had known each other for years.

Cecilia had to skip the first four days of school to recover from surgery, but before walking into Kings High School to meet teachers and classmates, she was already well known as the Italian girl who was in the operating room the day after arriving in the USA.

Cecilia lost a small part of her body, but she gained a lifetime experience and a true loving relationship. She understood that odd and difficult situations often become a way to bond with people and realized that love can stretch across countries, cultures and languages.

Cecilia and her American mom Lisa

She is now spending her first Christmas in the United States with her host family, enjoying the holiday spirit of their household and already missing her acquired relatives. In a few weeks she will go back to Turin to reunite with her natural parents after about six months. She will leave her appendix in Mason, Ohio, but she will carry in her heart the tender care of the Ruggieros who treated her like a daughter since the first day, supporting her in a difficult moment, thousands miles away from her hometown.

Lisa and Mike will visit Cecilia and her family during their trip to Italy this summer. They plan to see many places, but no Italian hospitals, for sure!

History on a Square Inch

by Michele Alonzo, School Amici Director

Gerardo Perrotta is one of the first Italians I met when I came to Cincinnati, 23 years ago. We have worked in the same College of Medicine for over two decades and he has been a teacher at the Italian language School Amici for the past seven years. When I first heard from Gerardo about his plan to write a book about Italian themes stamps, he was not even teaching for the school and my kids were probably still playing hide and seek. The project was interesting and innovative;   considering that Gerardo has lived in the USA for a long long time and is passionate about Italy and its history, I had no doubt that his book would be engaging and interesting for both Italian and American readers.  Gerardo has worked for many years on a diligent research, involving many sources both here and in Italy, to complete his book and, during all these years, has collected interesting facts on many Italians who have influenced the history of the United States during many centuries. So when this past spring he told me that the book was ready to be published, I was definitely glad that we readers could finally enjoy the end result of his intellectual dedication to a project he had at heart. I was also sure that each one of us, and not only stamp collectors, would like the publication, while being educated on the life of famous Italian Americans.

There are many ways to tell the Italian American history and Gerardo found a unique novel one in his book,” Phila-Italy Americana, Italian Themes on United States Postage Stamps”. Having collected stamps over many years, he discovered that there are many US stamps that have a clear Italian theme and many others whose connection to Italy is not so apparent. 

I think that Phila-Italy Americana is a book for any Italian American interested in learning about their heritage and for all those who appreciate Italian culture in general. The book is an easy read and lends itself to initiate conversation as each stamp presents an encapsulated view of our rich history. These stamps tell stories of significant events that led to the discovery and progress of our nation; they feature historical figures some of whom have never been to the United States and much less knew of its existence. The book also profiles a vast array of art and cultural items that have become part of the US national treasure. Many Italians have crossed the Atlantic Ocean during the last few centuries to come to the USA. The many interesting details gleaned from these stamps reflect Gerardo’s genuine interest to share with pride the contributions and legacy of these immigrants to the modern country. Their sacrifices coupled with many Americans who admire Italian art, culture, music and language; their contribution has allowed Italians to grow as the fifth largest ethnic group in the United States.

We modern Italians are the beneficiary of those who struggled to establish a foothold in this country. The story draws us closer as Italian Americans because it belongs to all of us. It swells our pride in our heritage and appreciation for this great country where we live.

Gerardo Perrotta's book symbolically embodies the pride of those who helped building and shaping up the United States of America, sometimes sacrificing their life for a better future. So if you are an Italian American, you will particularly enjoy this publication. I also think that the book could be an affordable meaningful gift for a relative or friend during the upcoming holidays and something to preserve for the generations to come.

The book is available in print and electronic format on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and Xlibris.com

Buone Feste!

Alone, But Not Lonely

by Karkie Tackett (Advanced Student at School Amici)

Karkie's place in Siena

I went to Italy alone because, in the words of Henry David Thoreau, “I wanted to live deliberately.”  I wanted to find my own way, and I wanted to speak and hear the language that I remember from so long ago.  The sound of that language (Italian) brings many memories of courtesy, history, happiness and tradition.  In this frightening world, I wanted to be reminded that in Italy, life is beautiful, slow, and celebrated.  I hoped that I could bring a little of that happiness home with me.

In Italy, I wanted to stay long enough in one place to learn the names of people in a nearby bar or shop.  I wanted to learn the streets, take long walks, see ancient art and architecture, meet new friends and try new types of food.  I didn’t know which town would be the best, but a friend in Rome told me that his first choice would always be Siena.

When Michele Alonzo, Director of School Amici, heard that I was thinking of Siena, he suggested that I should contact the school Saena Iulia.  I looked online, wrote a brief e-mail, and quickly received the first of many kind and generous messages from that school.  Siena, and Saena Iulia, would be mine!

The school is located in an ancient palace directly behind the Duomo.  It’s in the center of Siena and enjoys an easy rapport with stores and bars all around.  From the open windows of the school, you can hear singing, shouting and laughing…all very joyous and all very Italian.

Every day at school, we had conversation in the morning, we enjoyed a coffee during the break, and we finished class in time for a lunch with the other students.  No one wanted to speak English, and so we continued to practice our Italian during meals, over the afternoon and during our walks.

Coffee break with students

The school offers excursions and helps with arrangements such as lodging but it is not a tourist agency.  It is a serious school with expert, well-educated instructors who are native speakers of Italian.  It has a rigorous curriculum and the lessons are stimulating.  I have always been discouraged by the conjunctive tense…but my teacher, Signorina Sabrina, taught it well and I think that (penso che) in the future, it will be (sia) easier for me.

Ricciarelli

After the lessons, we went together to explore Siena and to eat very, very well.  We discovered museums, churches, parks and we also discovered a typical soup called ribollita, sformato di formaggio (kind of baked cheese), whole roasted onions, and the delicate pastry called ricciarelli.   During a visit to Assisi, our director, Mauro Faleri, took us on a marvelous tour of the works of art in the church of St. Frances.  We explored the town of Assisi and found a salumeria (deli) where all the sausages and hams were of boar.

My memories of Siena are made up of many small pieces.  I want to list some of them: when you understand Italian but you remain silent, you sometimes overhear other conversations.  I was surprised to hear two bus drivers speaking rapidly about a woman.  I heard one man saying “….but she’s from Naples; and that is a big problem.”  (Unfortunately, I couldn’t ask what the problem is with Neapolitan women). I got the giggles with an Italian lady while we were waiting at a bus stop.  We both hoped that when the bus came, our driver would be that stupendously handsome one I had seen the day before. 
By mistake, I think I insulted a woman in a grocery store when I asked for dadi di porcini (mushroom stock cube)  “We don’t have any dadi here, signora!” she said, with a little edge to her voice.   She did, of course, have real porcini for sale. One waiter told me he is a student of film, and I looked like a famous American actress, but he couldn’t remember who.  This got my attention!  I insisted that he tried to remember.  Finally, he said it was Gena Rowlands.   I resemble Gena Rowlands to him.  I’ll take that!   He was a fine boy in a great trattoria.  I returned to eat there two more times (Us American actresses are very loyal!). 
I learned a very useful word: scorciatoia (shortcut). A fine word. In Siena, the shortcuts are varied and glorious.

Liz, Mauro, Carol and Karkie

I travelled in Italy by myself but in Italy, you are never alone. The Sienese, like most Italians, are a little formal (we must always greet each other with buongiorno ….always), but warm, and welcoming.  They want to help visitors and they love to chat.  My classmates at Saena Iulia (Juliet, Carol and Liz….God bless you all) were marvelous and I hope to see them again and again. My favorite thing to hear was "But madam, you speak Italian". Thanks to my teachers Michele, Mariateresa, Mauro and Sabrina, it is almost true! I said to one man that my Italian is a little rusty. He laughed and said: "Then you must come back to remove the rust". I think that he is right.

Un Espresso, per Favore

by Michele Alonzo (School Amici Director)

Art in a Cup

It is probably the sentence that any beginning Italian students is able to say when entering a café in Italy “Un espresso, per favore”. But it may be more complicated than you think if you consider how many types of coffee beverage you can order in Italy.
As well illustrated in a famous 1997 Bozzetto’s animated cartoon, comparing the habits of Italians with all other Europeans, having a coffee in Italy may require an extensive tutorial.
It is a fact that you can have at least a dozen of different variations of beverage with coffee to enjoy la dolce vita. The following list describes the most common types:

Doppio: two regular espresso in the same cup (50 ml)

Lungo: A longer espresso, containing more water and therefore less strong (35 ml)
Ristretto: A concentrated espresso; a very strong coffee! (20 ml)
Macchiato caldo: Espresso with a few drops of warm milk
Macchiato freddo: Espresso with a few drops of cold milk
Corretto: Espresso with a shot of liquor (grappa or anisette)
Con panna: Espresso with whipped cream on top
Freddo: Cold espresso served with ice in a glass
Cappuccino: Espresso (1/3) with warm milk (1/3) and milk froth on top (1/3)
Caffè mocha: A cappuccino topped with cocoa powder
Caffelatte: A glass of warm milk with an espresso added in it
Marocchino: Cappuccino with chocolate dusted on top
Affogato: a scoop of vanilla gelato topped with a hot espresso
Decaffeinato: Espresso made with decaffeinated coffee

Classic espresso is technically hot boiled water mixed with ground coffee beans in a specific ratio. That is the key word: ratio. In fact there are approximately 0.3 ounces of coffee to one fluid ounce of water in a single shot espresso.  About the same quantity is used to prepare a drip-brewed coffee cup, which instead contains 8 fluid ounces of water. So it is intuitive that the concentration of an Italian espresso is eight time the one of a regular average cup of coffee at an American restaurant.

Also due to the higher than atmospheric pressure involved, in the first case the mixture of water and steam reaches temperatures well above 100 °C, causing a more efficient extraction of caffeine and flavors from the grounds, and resulting in a stronger brew than the one obtained by drip brewing.

Moka Express Bialetti

It is thought that the word “espresso” originates from the procedure to prepare the coffee, by which hot water is forced at high pressure through the aromatic ground powder. However, this word in Italian also means “speedy, quickly”; in fact there are treno espresso (a faster train), and raccomandata espresso (a piece of mail delivered quicker than regular mail).  Considering that Italians are always on the run because chronically late, I would lean toward the second origin…

The history of Italian coffee goes back to the late 1800’s when Angelo Moriondo in Turin first presented a patented way to prepare the hot beverage having water pressurized by steam passing through the ground coffee. A few years later other Italians improved the procedure by introducing on the market an espresso machine that could make a coffee in a few minutes.
But the popularity of homemade coffee really became widespread with the introduction of the mass produced Moka, the machine invented by Luigi De Ponti and patented for businessman Alfonso Bialetti in 1933. Still today the Bialetti company produces the “Moka express”, an aluminum pot with bakelite handle, which has become an iconic design, and considered a piece of art displayed at the MOMA in New York City.

The difference between the homemade coffee and the one you order in a café is the pressure of coffee extraction, which is about 22 psi in the Moka and 130 psi for a real espresso. Also the foam emulsion produced by a Moka is not as dense as the crema (literally cream) that you can taste on top of a single shot espresso.
 

San Marco Square, Venice

Whatever type of coffee you order, if you are on a budget, make sure that you sip it just standing at the counter. Sitting at a table can double the price and if you happen to be on San Marco Square in Venice, an espresso can easily cost you about ten dollars! You could say “Who cares, I am in Italy”. And that’s exactly what counts. How can you have a bad time when you start your day tasting the unique aroma of caffe' espresso, in front of the Venetian Laguna or the Spanish Steps, with a street artist singing Volare…
 

Italian Art in a Nutshell (#2)

by Kris Killen Olberding 
(art aficionado, empowered female, and administrator at the Art Academy)

Italian Art in a Nutshell features a follower of Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, and her masterpiece "Judith Slaying Holofernes,” 1618-20. 

Gentileschi was a highly accomplished early Baroque painter with the rare distinction of being a female artist of the era who achieved a high level of respect and fame. Born in Rome to a painter, Gentileschi worked alongside her father in his workshop, and like him, she was profoundly influenced by Caravaggio. Her work often depicts strong, female protagonists from mythology or the Bible. This particular work is gory and violent, telling the dramatic tale of the widow Judith who sought revenge against Holofernes, the general who besieged her town. Judith seduced him, got him drunk, and with the assistance of her maid, decapitated him with his own sword, taking his head as a trophy for her people. Caravaggio's influence can be seen in the bold brushwork, vigorous action, rich hues, and dramatic play of light illuminating the dark and horrifying moment that Judith attacks Holofernes.

Speculation abounds that Gentileschi was attempting to exorcise her own demons through such works of female empowerment, since she herself was famously the victim of rape at the hands of her art instructor. The lengthy trial that followed was very public, and the artist herself was openly tortured and interrogated during testimony. Amazingly, the court ruled in her favor, and her rapist was sentenced to one year in prison, which he never served. In an attempt to restore her virtue, Gentileschi’s father arranged a marriage for her in Florence, where the brash, young artist thrived, displaying tremendous skill at marketing herself and her work to the rich and famous, including the Medici family. To this day, she stands as a symbol of indomitable female spirit, and continues to hold her place in history as one of the boldest, most defiant, and progressive artists of her time. This painting resides in the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence.

How Studying Abroad Changed the Way I Travel

by Melinda Cebula Harris  (current student at School Amici)

For three or four years I was a tourist. I would pack my bags and jet set to all the “must-see” locations of the world. Soon, I found my place of choice, Italy. I would go every summer and sightsee. It was wonderful, but on the crowded streets of Rome or Venice with my camera in one hand and my city map in the other, it was impossible to become acquainted with the true culture of the country. This is when I decided to learn the Italian language.

Melinda in Todi

My studies began close to home in Cincinnati, Ohio at School AMICI. I immediately felt at ease with my patient and gentle teacher from Calabria, Gerardo. Gerardo would entertain the class with stories of his Italian childhood, while teaching us the Italian ABCs, numbers, and basic grammar. School AMICI created a solid foundation, which for me was the key to my success in my subsequent studies abroad.

In 2012 I chose Todi, a tiny town perched upon a tall two-crested hill in central Italy, as my place of study. Experience had taught me that the smaller towns offered the most authentic experience. For three weeks I studied both privately and in whole group at La Lingua La Vita. My confidence and ability to speak Italian improved daily with the guidance of my teachers. What I loved most about La Lingua La Vita was the opportunities they created to interact with the local community. Through the school, I attended weekly cooking lessons hosted in the countryside home of Rita, a local Italian famed for her cooking. Rita spoke no English, so even when I was in doubt or my Italian confidence wavered; I had to rely on my language skills. This created many laughable moments as hand gestures and air drawings appeared to be games of charades rather than a group of girls learning the simple secrets of delicious Italian cuisine. 

Cooking with Rita

My mother, Linda, also a School AMICI student, had traveled with me to Todi. At first she was going to take the lazy lifestyle, taking a late morning espresso or a passeggiata (stroll) to the market… but something about La Lingua La Vita caught her attention and she enrolled on the very first day of classes. To my mother’s delight, her daily private lessons were held at a charming local café specializing in delicious fresh fruit gelato and strong Italian coffee. Her teacher, Antonella, quickly became a dear friend to both my mother and me inviting us to see the home she and her husband were building and to the church she so passionately loved. Our friendship with Antonella and her family continues to this day.

Melinda and her mother, with Antonella and daughter

Studying abroad changed my passion for traveling. I was no longer excited to see the sights but to know the Italian people and their way of life. These moments, these connections, these invitations into the lives of the Italian locals are exactly what had been missing in all my years of traveling as a tourist. It was the commonality of the Italian language that made these connections possible, and for this I will always be thankful for School AMICI and La Lingua La Vita.

 

A few notes of interest:

Todi has, by far, some of the most beautiful views I have seen in all of Italy. If possible, choose an apartment with a view of the countryside. As an added bonus if you travel in July, when Todi hosts an international ballooning competition, the sky is especially beautiful as colorful hot air balloons paint the sky.

If Italian cuisine temps your palate, you will not be disappointed. For such a small town I was delighted by the quality of all my dining experiences. Antica Osteria della Valle was my favorite.

And finally, I found Todi very friendly for people who might have trouble walking long distances. The school, small grocery, restaurants, and shops are within close proximity of each other, making this an ideal location for people of all ages.

It's Not a Vacation

by Marcello Fantuzzi (Italian Exchange Student in Madeira, Ohio)

Dear reader, 

I want to tell you about an experience I will never forget; the greatest experience I have had so far in my life.

On August 23^rd 2012 I left my native country, Italy, to go to the USA by myself for a year. I was going to be hosted by a family who lived in Madeira, Ohio; I got my placement on August 15^th so I had a very short time to get everything set, documents included. 

Lentigione: Marcello's hometown

When I heard that I was going to go there, I had no idea where that place was. I remember thinking  “Where in the heck is Madeira?” so of course I googled it and I found this little town, my first thought was “Oh, c’mon, really?!”, only because I didn’t know what to expect.

I was a seventeen year-old guy ready to experience new things, just thinking about enjoying my life and I did not spend a single day not thinking about my departure.

The day I had been waiting for a long time finally came: it was time to leave. My mom and dad took me to the airport; I can’t even think about a way to describe how I was feeling. I had so many things going on in my head, I was really sad, I knew I was going to miss my family and my friends a lot but, on the other hand, I knew that this was going to be a life changing experience and I had no doubt it was going to be worth it.

After all the tears my mom and sister shed, I finally got on the plane and started thinking about how big the decision to leave was, and how unconsciously brave I had been.

 

After that endless 12 hour flight it was time to meet the host family, who came to pick me up at the airport. I remember I was really nervous. I had skyped with them before but it’s not like talking face to face. I finally saw them at the airport, they welcomed me with a giant sign saying “Welcome Marcello, Benvenuto”; and that helped me a lot emotionally. My host family has actually always been very helpful in everything; all the time I needed help, they were always available to give me a hand. I am and will always be thankful to them for the experience they allowed me to live.



Marcello meets his host family at the airport

After I had met the family it was time to leave the airport, it was time to go home get everything set for the following day, the first day of school.

I was super tired because of the time difference and I had no idea of what was going on when people were talking, so the first day it’s kind of foggy in my brain, I just remember I met a lot of people whose names I couldn’t remember and the school was very welcoming and helped me since the first day.
Before coming here, World Heritage, my student exchange organization, had a lot of meetings with students, in order to warn and prepare us for this experience. I had to know how to behave and to approach problems I may face. That was really helpful and I thank World Heritage for it.

The biggest problem in the first few weeks was the language. I wasn’t missing home yet because I had too many things to do and not enough time to think about my family and my friends, but as the time was going by, the language problem became less and less important, and got replaced by the fact that my family and my friends were not here with me. I really missed them.

Christmas came fast, the time flew even if some days were really rough; in Italy Christmas is a really big deal and you must spend it with your family, so 2012 was the first year that I was spending the most important celebration without my family; I was sad, especially when I skyped with them and saw all the relatives at my grandma’s gigantic table all screaming and eating the food I was missing the most.

Now that I think about it, I started enjoying my experience in the US from the beginning of January, because after winter break I made so many real friends I could hang out with. The language wasn’t a problem anymore, the moments in which I had to stand awkwardly nodding about the questions I was asked just because I wasn’t able to understand were finally over and the fact that I was able to have regular conversations with people without using Google Translate every time was a big step towards a ‘normal’ life. I was also getting used to the physical distance between my family and me, so basically from that time I realized that Madeira is a great place to stay even if it’s really small and the school is not as big as the one I attend in Italy. A big thing that made me happy was the fact that in the people’s eyes I wasn’t an exchange student anymore; I was one of them.

On January another important thing happened, I made the decision to join the school musical, something I had never done before. However, since I’ve always loved music, I thought it would be worth trying, and it was. I didn’t think it would be that much work, but we rehearsed a lot in order to perform a great show. I became really close to the people who were in the musical; it’s a great environment to build solid friendships, and everyone helped each other. 

At the school prom

The show was great and if I think that I was part of it, that I was so lucky to spend so much time with those wonderful people, I will just want to rewind my life and live those moments again.

I remember one day I was in the car with a friend of mine, we had just had McDonald’s when he suddenly said: ”Hey man, I’m really going to miss you when you leave; it’s not going to be the same without you” and I responded “My life is here now, I love the people here and I have such good friends; I don’t want to leave, dude”. I remember that when he said that he was going to miss me, I was feeling crushed because my departure was getting closer and closer, but on the other hand I was really happy; this could seem a little strange, but the fact that I had made really good friends, the fact that I was able to build important moments and memories that my friends and I will never forget, makes me accomplished, makes me feel like I fully enjoyed this experience and I won’t have regrets about it.
I also had the chance to travel a lot thanks to my host family. I have been in a lot of places with them, such as California and Florida. I enjoyed this whole experience with them a lot; and next year they will probably come to Italy to visit me and my parents. The relationship I have with them is fantastic and I will keep it for my whole life.
 

This year in the USA completely changed me and helped me to overcome a lot of obstacles by myself, it made me discover new aspects of my character, things that I would have never discovered if I hadn’t be forced to do stuff I had never done before.  This year made me become a much more independent person; I think every single guy has to have something that turns him into a man, some sort of situation you are forced to face, some act of bravery that makes you realize “Wow, I’m not a child anymore”. And I’m not talking about your 18^th birthday or the day you get your driving license; I’m talking about something much more profound and meaningful.  This was definitively my feeling.

There’s a big difference between the Marcello before the departure and the one who’s writing this paper. This was not a vacation; it was a step up in my life; and the memories of this fantastic experience will stick with me forever...

Italian Art in a Nutshell

Once upon a time I was an Art History major - before I got practical and switched to Medieval History.  Maybe that's why I look forward to Kris Killen Olberding's regular posts on her Facebook page. She, too, was once upon a time an Art History Major, is very smart and has excellent taste.  Recently I asked if she might write something specifically about Italian artists and she was kind enough to share her favorite painting.

Conversion on the Way to Damascus

 

For my friends at School Amici 

"Conversion on the Way to Damascus," 1601, by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. One of the most brilliant painters of the early Italian Baroque period, Caravaggio was born in Lombardy and later moved to Rome, where he soon became celebrated for his vigorous and highly theatrical style, which brought a revolutionary humanity to his religious subject matter. He is credited with creating Tenebrism (from the Italian “tenebroso” meaning dark or gloomy), a technique which emphasizes violent contrasts of light and dark, with the dominant darkness accentuated by piercing illumination. Further cementing his rock star status, Caravaggio was also known for his swaggering personal life. The infamous painter was jailed several times, involved in many brawls, accused of killing a man in a sword fight, and had a death warrant issued against him by the Pope, forcing him to flee to southern Italy. While in exile, he died mysteriously of a fever at the age of 38, still hoping for a pardon. This painting resides in Rome at the church of Santa Maria del Popolo.

A Stroll in Italy!

by Paola Girelli Harding    

When asked to participate in a ‘working experience’ in Italy in November, I jumped at the opportunity to join a supplier on a fabulous Italian journey starting in Rome, and including Torgiano (Umbria), Lake Como (Lombardy), Verona and Mira (Veneto).  The whirlwind week ended just in Mira/Venice, a stone’s throw from Verona, where I would stay for another week. 

      While the visits and the accommodations in the cities and towns on the work, and the inspection part of the trip were breathtakingly unforgettable, my Verona and Veneto experience was unparalleled.

In front of Ponte dei Sospiri (Venice)

      Boarding the train in Mestre bound for Verona on a sunshine morning was especially delightful since two days earlier we experienced a downpour in Verona as had not occurred in decades.  Gazing on hills and planes covered with vineyards, I planned my ‘foodies’ visit putting the pastry shop Cordioli (very near the Hotel Accademia) at the top of the list.

      Visiting Venice was magical, sunny, mild, and I almost forfeited the trip to Padova as a high tide had been predicted!  We crossed the Grand Canal to Rialto Market by Traghetto, available in several areas along the canal between the three bridges spanning it, for just 1,50 euro, great!  We went to the top of St. Mark’s bell tower for a bird’s-eye view of the city and lagoon.  I treated myself at Café Florian, a break at Do Colonne with polenta e bacala mantecato and a spritz sitting outdoors!  Departing late afternoon, the sun setting all rosy on the lagoon, what an arrivederci alla prossima volta! 

In the Lessini Mountains (north of Verona)

      I had not visited Spiazzi in the Lessini Mountains, Madonna della Corona/Crowned Madonna, for years, where I spent  summer camps as a child.  The church perched on the rocks, almost floating above the Valdadige below as breathtakingly beautiful as I remembered!

      Sirmione and Torri del Benaco, on Lake Garda, Borghetto sul Mincio, were my favorite stops!  They were quieter (with many stores and hotels closed for the season).  Of course I could not have visited these places without my cousin Stefania who kindly offered her time and her car to allow for memorable stays.

      Autumn in Italy was definitely as great an experience as expected, I enjoyed persimmons both on the trees and savored them daily.  Roasting chestnuts permeated the air.  The trees changed colors, to reds and yellows, and although I prefer warm weather, I would recommend an autumn stroll like this one to anyone. My next cool weather trip is planned for Carnevale di Venezia in 2014!!! 
Would anyone like to join me?

Paola Girelli Harding is an Italian travel planner specialist.