WEEK 10
Week ten has closed around us more quickly than any of those previous. It has been a week of closure, new beginnings, and preparation for one of our most ambitious adventures. This was the final week for the students in the Italian Language program, and it seemed to be universally among them a rather bitter-sweet time. They have generated some very strong relationships with Teachers and fellow students alike, and all agree that they are going to miss this in their next four weeks. Most have decided to simply continue to drop in on the Istituto to stay in touch, even if they are not formally in class.
On Tuesday morning I travelled across a fog stalled Lagoon to Marco Polo Airport and met the “Watercolor Group” that arrived under the protection of Karen Leigh. An uneventful journey, all baggage arrived; flight arrived on time. It doesn’t get any better than that. We chartered our friend Sebastiano’s water taxi and set about delivering folk to their respective apartments. I met a group of the ‘new’ students later on that afternoon and we visited a supermarket where they learned ‘the Venetian way of doing things’, and discovered some products that they had never seen before.
Most of Wednesday was spent acquiring Vaporetto passes and simply orienting them to the city. The ‘Vap pass’ process can be difficult and frustrating, but we sailed through with flying colors, and the group can now travel anywhere they want on public transport for a fraction of the cost that ‘tourists’ pay. I met them again on Thursday morning and we visited the Fish Market and the area of Rialto and then walked through to Santa Maria Formosa where we met the rest of the group and took a quick tour of the cemetery island San Michelle. That evening we all met at the Rawlings’ apartment for Pasta Vongole and a session where we went over all of the things that we will have to prepare for our trip next week. I have been working with a local book binder and she has produced a leather bound book of watercolor paper for our students, and there was much excitement at receiving them.
Friday morning found me once again with the ‘watercolor group’, and we visited the Frari for a ‘talk to Titian’, and then finished the morning in the Scuola San Rocco. After this we walked through San Polo to Santa Margherita where we joined the language students who were throwing a ‘final festa’ for their Teachers. It was so satisfying to watch these young people interacting with their teachers and fellow students who numbered 5 different nationalities.
The afternoon was given over to packing and preparation, and tomorrow we catch our bus in Piazzale Roma and head out for Urbino. We are all well, excited, and hopefully prepared.
Because of the nature of next week the blog will be quite large, and will contain more voices, so be patient because it may take a while to bring ‘to press’
Ciao, ciao
John
John Rawlings, Director FVCC Semester in Venice Program
POST SCRIPT
We have been on the road for a few days now, and I have only just managed to get a connection to the web that is strong enough to support a down load of the blog. I have removed some photographs because they take such a long time, and will include them when we return to Venice.
John
POST/POST SCRIPT
I have just removed ALL of the photographs in hope of getting this out!!
J
Kyle’s Blog
Week 10 soon comes to a close. We leave tomorrow (Saturday) morning for a weeklong trip in Assisi and Toscana! The bus ride itself should be very scenic and fun.
This week marked the last week of our rigorous two-month-long program of Italian language classes. It’s a relief to be done, but I will miss my teachers and classmates. Additionally, from now on, we are on our own in terms of practicing and sharpening our speaking skills! It’s on to new things once again.
The next chapter begins with our weeklong trip. The painting party from Montana has finally joined us. Moreover, the last two weeks of the semester are dedicated to water-coloring lessons and art history class. The end draws nearer…
Jessica’s Blog
I’m up late right now, packing for an exciting trip to Tuscany and Umbria! I’m sure I won’t be able to sleep one little bit because I am looking forward to this trip so much!
This week has been a bit emotional for me because it was our last week of Italian Language classes. I didn’t realize how many friends and goodtime I had in those classes, despite the brain explosion parts at the end of each day. We had our farewell festa today at a local cafe with all of our teachers and had a fantastic time reminiscing over all of our mishaps and fun times with everyone. Our teachers were all very wonderful while we have been here and I am entirely appreciative for all they have done for me. Not only were they teaching me a new language, they also became friends, mentors, and bright lights in this crazy adventure of ours! I am forever grateful for knowing them, and will never forget them 
Other than it being our last week of Italian Language Classes the week has been very beautiful and Sunny for the first time since our arrival. It was so sunny that Caitlin and I decided it was time we went out and bought a few things to wear in this amazing Italian spring! Also the second half of our group arrived with Karen, and we have been showing them the in’s and out’s of our home here in Venice. Yes, I called it my home. I was walking over the bridge with our new arrivals the other day, showing them the area near our apartments, and I felt this swelling in my heart. I am officially completely attached to this place and its people with all my heart, and I feel like I can consider Venice my second home.
Alyssa’s Blog
Ciao Amici!!
I cannot contain my excitement for tomorrow, when we leave for our Spring Tour!! This week’s blog will be a bit brief because I am still packing! Unfortunately, the field trip means that this is the last of the language classes. I will miss the Istituto!! We made lots of friends, from all over the world! It’s pretty incredible to learn another language alongside another, of other foreignism. I will be famous one day for the invention of new words!! Like Shakespeare =]
We met all the new watercolor folk! They are so sweet, and keep up with us youngins pretty well!! We have a couple just down the calle, the “Sleds,” who we’ve taken under our wing. We introduced them to the Billa (the local grocery store) and made sure they knew how to ring our apartment =)
Everything else this week was amazing. We had the two most beautiful days in Venice since we’ve arrived! No sweaters needed! Amazing.
Ciao tutti!!
Alyssa
Caitlin’s Blog
Well this past week has definitely been a fun but difficult one! The last week of classes was hard to concentrate during. The weather has finally started to clear up and actually be warm and sunny. On Wednesday and Thursday it was so warm I could just walk around in a sun dress and be plenty warm, I was actually sweating. This big weather change reminded me so much of home. And of course, while we were stuck inside the weather was gorgeous! And now that school is done, the weather gets bad again. On Wednesday I got to do a little shopping with Jessica and get some warm weather clothes because when I was packing for Venice I was NOT thinking warm weather…darn I had to go shopping in Italy.
Earlier this week I was heading home from the Billa with a few liters of water and as I rounded the corner into our little campo I was almost run over by a bunch of illegal-purse vendors running full tilt away from a few plain clothes cops. As I stumbled back out of the way, I watched half of the vendors run off down the fondamente and the other half hop on a vaporetto. I peered around the corner and saw purses scattered everywhere! I walked quickly back to my apartment and watched curiously out my window. There was a group of about 6 or 7 plain clothes cops with standing around a massive pile of purses. As I looked around the campo I spotted a hidden pile of purses. I desperately wanted to just run down there really quick and take them, but I thought better of it and yelled to the police men “ci sono le borse qui!” which means there are some purses here. He looked at me and then went and investigated, saw that I was telling the truth and shouted a thank you. I was kind of hoping for a “reward” of a free purse, but all I was getting out of these guys was a thank you.
We are headed out on our “spring break” on Saturday and I can’t wait! It will be a much needed rest from the fast pace that has been my life for the past two and a half months. I must admit I am getting a bit sad because I am starting to realize that this life-changing experience is going to be over all too soon. I’m definitely not coming back the same person I was. Well ciao for now!
Erika’s Blog:
…“And so, they came to the end of their trials and passed the tests and found themselves to be called graduates, ready to move on to the long needed and desired break from school to explore the rest of the country.” …
Yes, we have done it. We’ve graduated from Instituto di Venezia with flying colors, with a new found appreciation not only for the Italian language but for the cultures of other counties as well as a new found pride for our own country. It’s sad to move on, to leave all the friends we’ve made and the teachers we’ve learned to love and a part of me wishes I could stay for a little bit longer just to be with these amazing people for a little bit longer, but alas, all good things must come to an end and we must move on to the next phase of our trip. But I can guarantee I shall never forget the lessons I’ve learned, not only in Italian but in life as well, the friends I’ve made and will keep forever close to my heart, and the beautiful memories that I shall cherish for the rest of my life.
…“She turned one last time, looking on those hallowed halls she’d spent so many hours inside, sometimes longing for the sunshine outside instead of the frustrations within. But now, she wished for a few moments longer to stay with the people she’d come to love. But as she glanced around the place, she found herself remembering and, smiling to herself, she knew it would always be a part of her. So, she put her hand on the door knob and stepped out into the glorious Venetian sunshine.”
The 'new' group arriving at Marco Polo Airport
In the water taxi crossing the Lagoon
On the bridge at the rear of Karen's apartment
Lining up for our "vap" passes
In Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Looking back from San Giorgio
Catching a #2 vaporetto
