Post date: May 01, 2014 11:12:16 PM
Week 1: Day 3
Today was my Birthday! It started with the regular shower and breakfast croissant and cappuccino from the nuns. I got a surprise Jar of Nutella with a Birthday candle! I even got a hug from the nun who works at the front desk. It was weird to be in a different country for my Birthday. Birthdays are always important in my family. We have a tradition of Breakfast in bed, followed by some sort of adventure. Despite the fact I had seen my family earlier that week, I was homesick. Thinking of the immigrants who left Italy, I could not imagine what it felt like to leave your home and never return. Never seeing your family, or the place you called home for so many year.s I understand how one can hold on the Italy that used to be, because holding onto that memory, hope, or connection keeps alive what used to be.
Later when we arrived at school, we had been moved from Italian 4 to Italian 3. I was devastated. Although Italian 3 suited our group much better, the challenge of the full immersion into Italian is what I craved. Too defeated to say anything, I took a deep breath and stepped back. Although I liked the challenge of being fully immersed, I could definitely use some slower paced review and practice. Here, like every other place, if you get knocked down the only way to get back up is to work hard and prove yourself.
After the afternoon lunch and lecture was wine tasting! From Tricolore, we walked through a part of the city we hadn’t been to before. Down a small alley and up four flights of stairs, we found ourselves at the center of a true Genovese home. Somewhat Victorian styled, in structure, the ceilings were painted as Renaissance scenes of Baby angels and amazingly detailed birds. On the walls hung simple paintings in plain frames. Contrasting the oversized and bulky furniture each different, each unique, each seems to hold a secret treasure. Overall, the inside of their homes resembles the same mesh of cultures, history and tradition as architecture, and even their wine. The wine tasting was set up in what appears to be his living room, An array of different couches and chairs face a small sullen
man with a dark beard pouring wine into a clean glass. Swirling it around, he explains how to clean the glass with wine before pouring a full glass. The majority of students watching him intently are American, not yet 21, but eager to look fancy with wine in their swirl the wine in their glasses. He then goes on to explain how to hold and approach the wine. First just the look of it, then its smell, then a small taste, covering the palate. Last a slurp and almost gargle. Originally wine was made with whatever grapes or berries were ripe, but now the art of making wine relies on what type of grape, what time of year, and even what land it is grown on. So much time, energy, and attention is put into making sure that everything is perfect.