(no subject)
Okay, so finally I am sitting down to write this:
Italy was amazing. It was the best thing in my life so far. I was really scared before I went of all the logistics. Of the trip I had to take from the Milan Malpensa airport, all the way north to Domodossola, and from there to Oira/Canova. When I got there, I was so exhausted that English was alluding me... my Italian was non existent. But I managed to get myself on my bus and to my hotel, where I proceeded to sleep a lot, and not eat for 24 hours, because the idea of having to order in Italian was too daunting. I was woken up at 6pm that day by the alipini marching band in the piazza mercato, and joined the rest of the town in watching these men play and march in their Robin Hood caps--pointy green with huge, red feathers.
Finally getting to Canova was wonderful. Soup was served; we each chose a bed in one of the rooms of the 15th century stone house. The whole place is so lovely. It's beyond my abilities for description, because without experience, I think it nearly impossible to picture these homes. My roommates--Rachel, Natalie, and Erin especially--quickly became, and remain, three of the most important people in my life. It is to them I turned to everything, and to them I owe a wonderful trip.
The program was a mix of touring and working. We traveled all through the various villages, learning about the details of stone masonry, happening upon beautiful frescoes in the middle of nowhere, and meeting locals. Our first hike ended with us gathered in a small pathway, chatting with a local man as he provided us with pitcher after pitcher of homemade wine from his cantina.
Our other job was a dirty old saw mill--a mix of 15th, 17th, and 19th century craftsmen ship. Also, filled with sawdust, dirt, and spiders easily the size of a post-it. We spent most our time there documenting the tools, measuring and recording the rooms, and restoring the rotten parts. We re-built the rock walls, tore out the rotten wood, and replaced the walls and floors where needed. I learned to draw perspectives; to record the measurements in a room both over, and down; to replace wood; to build walls; and to lay floors. Without power tools. It may sound ridiculous, but laying a floor using nothing more than a handsaw, was by far my favorite part.
For the four day break, Rachel, Erin and I, with Kyle (another member of the group), headed over to Venice. We spent our time there chatting and wandering. It's so easy to get lost in. We rode the water busses all over, saw the Basilica, crossed the rialto more times than necessary, and visited the amazing islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is the glass blowing island, Burano the colorful and quite lace island.
After break we returned to much of the same. Working in the mill meant eating lunch at Treno di Bimbi. A former orphanage, now summer camp, where all indoor things such as beds and indoor eating occur in the train cars that border the main camp areas. Surrounding the outdoor cafe, Disney character dolls hang by their necks from the awnings. This is where we met Nico, who would serve us food, fall in love with Jessica, and spend the night of the final party humming American songs until I figured out what they were and sang them for him. He would also knock a glass of wine on my foot, grab my leg, and kiss my foot in apology.
There is so much that can't be put here. I loved everyone on this trip. When Kevin did as he wanted with little regard for me, I was not alone. When I burst into tears at the dialect lecture, and at the end fled to my room, within seconds every single one of them was crowded into my corner with a bottle of Perseco and DVDs and all the love I never knew friends could have. It was as sisterhood should be, but it came from near strangers, boys and girls. They may not have known either of the people who hurt me so badly, but they hated more than I ever could.
When the program ended, sooner than I wanted, though it was probably time to go home, I headed to Milan with Natalie and Susan. We shopped--H&M for me, Prada for Natalie where I was sorely tempted (and if I'd had access to my bank account, would have bought immediately) but these gorgeous light purple heels. We watched the sun set from the roof of the Duomo. Perfect.
The next day I flew home. Now I just guess I'm biding my time until the next adventure. Luau this weekend, Mississippi Aug 7-15, whitewater rafting with Erin and Rachel, Hang gliding with Heidi... this is what the rest of my summer is to consist of.
Italy was amazing. It was the best thing in my life so far. I was really scared before I went of all the logistics. Of the trip I had to take from the Milan Malpensa airport, all the way north to Domodossola, and from there to Oira/Canova. When I got there, I was so exhausted that English was alluding me... my Italian was non existent. But I managed to get myself on my bus and to my hotel, where I proceeded to sleep a lot, and not eat for 24 hours, because the idea of having to order in Italian was too daunting. I was woken up at 6pm that day by the alipini marching band in the piazza mercato, and joined the rest of the town in watching these men play and march in their Robin Hood caps--pointy green with huge, red feathers.
Finally getting to Canova was wonderful. Soup was served; we each chose a bed in one of the rooms of the 15th century stone house. The whole place is so lovely. It's beyond my abilities for description, because without experience, I think it nearly impossible to picture these homes. My roommates--Rachel, Natalie, and Erin especially--quickly became, and remain, three of the most important people in my life. It is to them I turned to everything, and to them I owe a wonderful trip.
The program was a mix of touring and working. We traveled all through the various villages, learning about the details of stone masonry, happening upon beautiful frescoes in the middle of nowhere, and meeting locals. Our first hike ended with us gathered in a small pathway, chatting with a local man as he provided us with pitcher after pitcher of homemade wine from his cantina.
Our other job was a dirty old saw mill--a mix of 15th, 17th, and 19th century craftsmen ship. Also, filled with sawdust, dirt, and spiders easily the size of a post-it. We spent most our time there documenting the tools, measuring and recording the rooms, and restoring the rotten parts. We re-built the rock walls, tore out the rotten wood, and replaced the walls and floors where needed. I learned to draw perspectives; to record the measurements in a room both over, and down; to replace wood; to build walls; and to lay floors. Without power tools. It may sound ridiculous, but laying a floor using nothing more than a handsaw, was by far my favorite part.
For the four day break, Rachel, Erin and I, with Kyle (another member of the group), headed over to Venice. We spent our time there chatting and wandering. It's so easy to get lost in. We rode the water busses all over, saw the Basilica, crossed the rialto more times than necessary, and visited the amazing islands of Murano and Burano. Murano is the glass blowing island, Burano the colorful and quite lace island.
After break we returned to much of the same. Working in the mill meant eating lunch at Treno di Bimbi. A former orphanage, now summer camp, where all indoor things such as beds and indoor eating occur in the train cars that border the main camp areas. Surrounding the outdoor cafe, Disney character dolls hang by their necks from the awnings. This is where we met Nico, who would serve us food, fall in love with Jessica, and spend the night of the final party humming American songs until I figured out what they were and sang them for him. He would also knock a glass of wine on my foot, grab my leg, and kiss my foot in apology.
There is so much that can't be put here. I loved everyone on this trip. When Kevin did as he wanted with little regard for me, I was not alone. When I burst into tears at the dialect lecture, and at the end fled to my room, within seconds every single one of them was crowded into my corner with a bottle of Perseco and DVDs and all the love I never knew friends could have. It was as sisterhood should be, but it came from near strangers, boys and girls. They may not have known either of the people who hurt me so badly, but they hated more than I ever could.
When the program ended, sooner than I wanted, though it was probably time to go home, I headed to Milan with Natalie and Susan. We shopped--H&M for me, Prada for Natalie where I was sorely tempted (and if I'd had access to my bank account, would have bought immediately) but these gorgeous light purple heels. We watched the sun set from the roof of the Duomo. Perfect.
The next day I flew home. Now I just guess I'm biding my time until the next adventure. Luau this weekend, Mississippi Aug 7-15, whitewater rafting with Erin and Rachel, Hang gliding with Heidi... this is what the rest of my summer is to consist of.