Settling In
Has it really only been about 20 hours since I've been here with the Bovi family? It feels like I have lived here forever. Apart from dealing with some memory lapses in how to use this blog, it's been smooth sailing all the way.
The trip was easy. And when I arrived in Carpi Sarah Bovi (25), her boyfriend Raffaele, and her father, Franco, greeted me with big hugs and kisses on both cheeks. Yes, I am in Italy! We drove home to the Bovi home on a somewhat busy commercial street where Britta Bovi (Swedish by birth) welcomed me as warmly as her daughter and husband had just minutes before. I began to relax right away. Oh, I forgot to mention their 2 year old dog, Judy. We are now fast friends, Judy and I.
There is no way to describe everything that happened on my first day, but here are the highlights: Sarah and Britta speak perfect English, so they are a huge help as I plunge into using my rudimentary Italian. They are patient with me. Naturally, I smile a lot as I stumble around with the language, and I say "non capisco" = "I don't understand" a lot.
In the Bovi family Franco is a retired physical therapist and a superb cook! He prepared two unbelievable meals yesterday, including one for 7 people last night (the Bovis' closest friends whith whom they have just returned from a vacation in Sicily). If I describe every meal I'll have here it would consume (ha-ha) every posting, so let me just say I would have paid $100 or more for what I enjoyed last night, not to mention the 3 types of wine. More on wine as the days go on.
Sarah drove me to find the school where I'll be helping 5th graders with their English, and I may try to ride a bicycle to work; it's flat here, but the drivers are........well, Italian! Then she took me about 15 miles out into the beautiful country to meet her boyfriend's parents. They live in a beautiful small town and have a fabulous flower and vegetable garden. I wanted to just grab a handful of the leaf lettuce, but instead, I took a picture of Sarah with Raffaele's parents.
I will post some pictures with another message. Today is Mother's Day, same as in the US, and in a few minutes we will all drive to the Bovis' house on Lake Garda to spend the day. Sarah gave me (and her mother) potted azaleas for Mother's Day. I am so touched.
Tomorrow (Monday) is orientation for all of the American students who have come on this trip. We will learn about what is expected of us in the various schools. It will help a lot, because we only have half the picture now.
That's all for now. I must grab my big white hat and hop in the car. I'll take the OLLI banner with me to display in at least one photo.
The trip was easy. And when I arrived in Carpi Sarah Bovi (25), her boyfriend Raffaele, and her father, Franco, greeted me with big hugs and kisses on both cheeks. Yes, I am in Italy! We drove home to the Bovi home on a somewhat busy commercial street where Britta Bovi (Swedish by birth) welcomed me as warmly as her daughter and husband had just minutes before. I began to relax right away. Oh, I forgot to mention their 2 year old dog, Judy. We are now fast friends, Judy and I.
There is no way to describe everything that happened on my first day, but here are the highlights: Sarah and Britta speak perfect English, so they are a huge help as I plunge into using my rudimentary Italian. They are patient with me. Naturally, I smile a lot as I stumble around with the language, and I say "non capisco" = "I don't understand" a lot.
In the Bovi family Franco is a retired physical therapist and a superb cook! He prepared two unbelievable meals yesterday, including one for 7 people last night (the Bovis' closest friends whith whom they have just returned from a vacation in Sicily). If I describe every meal I'll have here it would consume (ha-ha) every posting, so let me just say I would have paid $100 or more for what I enjoyed last night, not to mention the 3 types of wine. More on wine as the days go on.
Sarah drove me to find the school where I'll be helping 5th graders with their English, and I may try to ride a bicycle to work; it's flat here, but the drivers are........well, Italian! Then she took me about 15 miles out into the beautiful country to meet her boyfriend's parents. They live in a beautiful small town and have a fabulous flower and vegetable garden. I wanted to just grab a handful of the leaf lettuce, but instead, I took a picture of Sarah with Raffaele's parents.
I will post some pictures with another message. Today is Mother's Day, same as in the US, and in a few minutes we will all drive to the Bovis' house on Lake Garda to spend the day. Sarah gave me (and her mother) potted azaleas for Mother's Day. I am so touched.
Tomorrow (Monday) is orientation for all of the American students who have come on this trip. We will learn about what is expected of us in the various schools. It will help a lot, because we only have half the picture now.
That's all for now. I must grab my big white hat and hop in the car. I'll take the OLLI banner with me to display in at least one photo.
posted by OLLI @ 5:23 AM
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