(no subject)
mmmm...Baci...
The weekend unfolded as follows...
Krista's friend Andrea arrived late Thursday night from Firenze (Florence). Though we planned on going to Assisi, we visited some smaller, more distant Umbrian cities since we had rented a car. Saturday, we went to Orvieto. We took the twisty back roads through the mountains so we could more effectively enjoy the scenery. It was really beautiful; much picture-taking ensued. Orvieto was built on an inactive volcano, I think. The rocks used to build the city were taken from the mountain below so the city rests on a series of tunnels and mines. We arrived there a little late, partly because we left Perugia a little late and partly because we got a little lost, so we didn't get to go on the tunnel tour, but we did get to see the cathedral there. It is very unique. The outside is striped in black and white and the entire front face is covered with paintings and statuettes of Biblical/Catholic figures. Krista is a pretty devout Catholic and was able to explain a lot of the imagery. It was actually pretty interesting.
Sunday, Giuhi and Sabrina decided to tag along for our trip to Spoleto, also south of Perugia. The most amazing sight there for me was a huge aqueduct that spans the valley between Spoleto and the neighboring mountain. It was quite a sight. There is also a Roman amphitheatre and another large cathedral in Spoleto. Krista actually got to attend the afternoon mass there while we poked around the church and the piazza. I really enjoyed getting to hang out with Giuhi and Sabrina more. They don't speak much English, but I'm starting to pick up on the gist of Italian conversation and because we spent the whole day together, we had more opportunity to communicate and get to know one another. Ah, roommate bonding...
The biggest news of the weekend, though, is not the travel, but the FOOD!!! I had that delicious Naploli pizza with Daniela, but I have mostly just been eating my own pasta creations or sandwiches at the bars. But this weekend I actually got to try some Italian dishes. Gnocchi and wild boar (^_^) with cream, tomato and eggplant pasta. Also an appetizer-type dish of cantelope and ham. Sounds a little weird, but the flavors are actually quite interesting together. And of course, dessert. We ordered a nutella/whipped cream-ish pudding dish because Andrea had never had Nutella before (if you haven't had it before either, you should go buy some now) and biscotti with super-sweet wine for dipping. Still not a fan of the alcohol, but I did try it.
In short, it was a fun weekend of bonding, eating, traveling, and much ooh-ing and aaaaah-ing. Additionally, I have finally made a connection with a Holldand girl and a German guy in my class, so lessons have become a bit less intimidating. Only time will tell.
Well, I am off to watch Flightplan in Italian. Best wishes for the week to come to you all. Ciao!
The weekend unfolded as follows...
Krista's friend Andrea arrived late Thursday night from Firenze (Florence). Though we planned on going to Assisi, we visited some smaller, more distant Umbrian cities since we had rented a car. Saturday, we went to Orvieto. We took the twisty back roads through the mountains so we could more effectively enjoy the scenery. It was really beautiful; much picture-taking ensued. Orvieto was built on an inactive volcano, I think. The rocks used to build the city were taken from the mountain below so the city rests on a series of tunnels and mines. We arrived there a little late, partly because we left Perugia a little late and partly because we got a little lost, so we didn't get to go on the tunnel tour, but we did get to see the cathedral there. It is very unique. The outside is striped in black and white and the entire front face is covered with paintings and statuettes of Biblical/Catholic figures. Krista is a pretty devout Catholic and was able to explain a lot of the imagery. It was actually pretty interesting.
Sunday, Giuhi and Sabrina decided to tag along for our trip to Spoleto, also south of Perugia. The most amazing sight there for me was a huge aqueduct that spans the valley between Spoleto and the neighboring mountain. It was quite a sight. There is also a Roman amphitheatre and another large cathedral in Spoleto. Krista actually got to attend the afternoon mass there while we poked around the church and the piazza. I really enjoyed getting to hang out with Giuhi and Sabrina more. They don't speak much English, but I'm starting to pick up on the gist of Italian conversation and because we spent the whole day together, we had more opportunity to communicate and get to know one another. Ah, roommate bonding...
The biggest news of the weekend, though, is not the travel, but the FOOD!!! I had that delicious Naploli pizza with Daniela, but I have mostly just been eating my own pasta creations or sandwiches at the bars. But this weekend I actually got to try some Italian dishes. Gnocchi and wild boar (^_^) with cream, tomato and eggplant pasta. Also an appetizer-type dish of cantelope and ham. Sounds a little weird, but the flavors are actually quite interesting together. And of course, dessert. We ordered a nutella/whipped cream-ish pudding dish because Andrea had never had Nutella before (if you haven't had it before either, you should go buy some now) and biscotti with super-sweet wine for dipping. Still not a fan of the alcohol, but I did try it.
In short, it was a fun weekend of bonding, eating, traveling, and much ooh-ing and aaaaah-ing. Additionally, I have finally made a connection with a Holldand girl and a German guy in my class, so lessons have become a bit less intimidating. Only time will tell.
Well, I am off to watch Flightplan in Italian. Best wishes for the week to come to you all. Ciao!