Missing home.....no really.

So nice to hear about home. New babies, falling leaves, travels, scary times.

 Politics not so much.

Although I seem to be living a magical life, I do get homesick. Missing things that are important at home with friends and family. That being said I am still inspired and intrigued every day that I am here. I grow closer to Dan and Olivia, as well as my new friends here in Cortona. Not a day goes by that I am not learning and growing. I hope that this is a habit that will continue the rest of my life. I think that I can grow regardless of where my feet are walking and what my eyes are seeing.

Harvest in Tuscany

No words are needed here.

So I live in this tiny town. The "houses" are built on top of each other, on top of a mountain. This makes for unbelievable views and defined calves. My typical day starts with windows wide open. No screens. An occasional fly will enter through the kitchen and fly out the bedroom window, presumably for the view.   No mosquitoes here in Cortona, but every morning I notice feathers from the ever present pigeons that have floated through the window. We live on the first floor which means one floor up from ground level. We hang the laundry from a line out the back window, where the smell of the bakery wafts up to greet my nose, "hello chocolate croissant".

To Firenze, via Orvieto.

Orvieto, an Etruscan town built on a cave system, a former volcano. During the sack of Rome, this is where the Pope hung out. We got to tour this underground labyrinth. They grew mushrooms down here, and raised pigeons for eating. Awesome Duomo.

Back on the bus for Florence. Our hotel is in the middle of town. We start out each morning for a tour of the Uffizi, the Duomo, etc. I am now smitten with Michelangelo, and Raphael. OK maybe Botticelli.
Got to see the Birth of Venus this time. We hiked up to Piazzelle Michelangelo. Really, really steep. Almost to the top........bee sting. Hmmmm am I allergic? Worried a little since my heart is racing from the walk. No problem, Capucin monks with herbs at the top of the hill.

And now Grappa....with hot peppers.

Roma Continues

Our days in Rome start with breakfast in the main dining hall, a buffet of assorted yumminess. We then jump on a bus with our much loved art history teacher. Danielle was born in the USA, but was raised in Florence. I don't truly believe that she knows everything, but it certainly seems as though she does. Imagine travelling to see works of painting, archetcture, and scultpture and having someone standing next to you telling you what was motivating the artist, what the people thought of the work and delightful stories about all of the history involved. I don't want to drop names, but Bernini, Donatello and I have been getting pretty tight. 

Roma

We arrived safe and sound in Rome early morning Tuesday. Greeted by Chris, Shawn and Marco, we waited at the airport for the students arriving on later flights. A bus ride to our hotel located outside of the main hubbub of Rome was our first introduction to watching and learning the Italians.
"While in Rome do as the Romans do.

The Collesium, Borghese, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, Arch of Constantine, etc. etc. etc. I won't bore you with my poor recollection of these fantastical sights.  We ate drank and were merry in Rome.