Students in Cisternino

Yesterday, I walked with about 5 other classes to a local concert where students were playing. Basically, the students walked about 1/2 mile to this huge covered area where they merged with other schools to watch and listen to the concert. The performing students were the school I am working at(Don Quirico Punzi) and from another middle school. The music, which lasted about 3/4 of an hour, was quite good.

Students at this public school do not wear uniforms. They dress in very stylish jeans and poplike style and no dress code. They are all quite friendly and seem to get along well with others. This school has a good reputation and is a springboard to the university for most. Some students live in the country with most of their mothers at home(housewives). The economy doesn't seem to be suffering here, but I have been told that the unemployment is about 11 %. You can't tell it by the way people look, act, or spend money. For example, in Rome, I was behind a woman at MacDonald's who spent $30 and paid with 500 euro bill(which is about $660.

Today, the group is going to the beach because May 1 is a holiday in Italy(worker's day), where at one point, it is really the merging of 3 seas. The weather is suppose to be good. Sunshining now, so a good sign after our thunderstorms yesterday.

At the School

Yesterday, the teachers picked us up at the hotel. Some of the teachers have just gotten back from England with students, so they were tired. At the school, the volunteers were divided into 3 groups, and an English teacher. In the first room the teacher let the students divide themselves into 5 groups, and then each volunteer as assigned to a group.

The classes were not large because some students were not there. (Those on the trip to England were home yet). I worked with 3 boys, who were 14 years old. This is a high school with an enrollment of about 700 students, a state public school. The students come here from surrounding areas because it is a school with a good reputation and offers some classes that most other schools don't. ( I think they have more science classes).

My students were shy, but typical high school with their sagging pants and styled hair. Each group varied in there competence of English, but many did not know the alphabet, numbers, and months, so we practice. The Italian alphabet has only 21 letters. Italian people love their watches, so I saw many students with their large jeweled watches, all looking very expensive. Of course, everyone seem to have a cell phone, even two. They are not suppose to use their phone during classes, but I saw some texting and one phone ring. All the students were very respectful and full of energy. The school has 4 floors and an elevator for the teachers. When were on the fourth floor, the fire bell rang, so then there was this mass chaos and lots of noise. After about 10 minutes of frantic movement, students went back to class. My teacher never left the classroom. Today, we are possibly going to a outdoor concert, which is somewhere in the city.

I am generally the first one up at the hotel, which is about about 6:30 am. Today is Thursday but there is no school Friday. Holiday. Some of us might go on the train to Leeche on Saturday, which is south and I think on the coast. I just sort of follow the group because too much input slows up the decision process. Ha!!

Bounjourno! I will try to have a few photos tomorrow.

We have been given the Go

Last night, Pam, our leader, told us the school has given us permission to come today. So, today we are actually going to get to volunteer, so people will be excited today. I woke up to a little rain but yesterday was wonderful. No wind, and lots of sunshine.

At dinner, we had fish-two kinds, a white fish and salmon. It was very good. Some sort of vegetable too, but I don't know what kind. They always give you salad too, which is mostly lettuce, carrots and radishes. And the only dressing you can find is olivie oil and balsamic. The hotel has been very good, but no English. Yesterday, I tried to get my passport back from the front desk(you have to leave it with them when you first check in) but the man didn't understand, so he kept trying to lead me to the computer. Finally, another employee understood.

I played cards again last night. I am learning a new game. My roommate likes to play and is very competitive. Most people were in there rooms before 10 pm, but I stayed up until the end, and I am generally the first one up in the morning.

Well, I will know more tomorrow... Bounjurno....

New Obstacle for GV in Cisternino

Yesterday morning, our team was suppose to go to the school to work with some students. Well, the hotel got a call from the Eng. teacher that is coordinating this joint venture, telling us our teaching would be delayed until Wednesday because of the Swine Flu. This was quite frustrating to all of us, especially people new to the program but we could do nothing. So, on the spur of the moment we all took a day trip to Martini Franca, Alberobello, and Locorotundo. In some of these areas there they have the Trulli houses, which are a drystone conical roof, topped with a symbolic ornamental spire. Very unique. There are also these stone walls everywhere, which reminds me of Ireland, even though I have not been there. The roads in the country are good, but narrow and windy. In each of these small towns, there are nice city centers to walk around, but all the shops and restaurants close from abotu 1:30-4:00. Some of the other volunteers have been here before.

In the evening we all had dinner together at the hotel.. Now, we will have to see what the school decides, so today we are going to some caves and famous pottery city. It is too bad that this might cause another world crisis just when things were getting slightly better.

I played some MN card game with 3 other volunteers last night. These were serious players but I caught on quickly... Take care...more later.

Sorry, I have to go to breakfast. I do have my priorities. Ha!

My Volunteer program begins

I met up with Lettica in Rome. She is from Fl. who used to have a restaurant in Charleston, but now is a full time RVer, traveling all over the country. My kind of deal. She is also Italian, with her grandparents living near Cisternino, but this is her first trip to Italy. I bought a ES bullet train ticket from Rome to Brindisi, a 5.5 hour ride, so on Sat. morning, we walked to the train terminal. The train was suppose to be on track 6, but as 8 am rolled around, we saw no train. So then we began checking the other tracks, finding our train about on track 8 intead. Then it was a mild panic program to catch the train before it left.

Aboard, we easily found our seats. The train looked very new and clean. It only stopped about 10 times and kept on schedule the whole time, so it was quite relaxing. The scenery along the way was rolling hills, some country farms, and small villages. In Brindisi, we deboarded and looked for the shuttle bus to the airport. Someone directed us "down two blocks, then turn left". We did that but didn't see any bus stop. A Nigerian man tried to help us, explaining we would have to wait 3 hours for a bus. I knew that wasn't right, so I around until I noticed a bus coming that said "airport", which I flagged down. Now Brindisi is not like Rome. It is a much quieter city, with little or no traffic, at least it was on Sat. afternoon. Once on the bus, I asked the driver about the bus fare. She said "no charge, it is my last trip". Great. I saved 1.5 euro.

At the airport, we were to meet up with other volunteers and then take a van to the hotel, about an hour away. The airport is small, but nice. It was about a 4 hour wait, so I thought maybe we could get a taxi. I found out the taxi fare would be 120 euros-Too rich for my blood. But then 6 other volunteers arrived, and we piled in the van with Rocco.

Rocco was a good speedy driver. The road was like a divided two lane freeway, with few exits. Drivers here drive like they are all race car drivers, especially the motorcycle drivers. Maybe it is in their genes. At the hotel, we all informally met, 14 other volunteers from various states. My roommate is Bill from So. Carolina.

Today, during the first meeting, we told more about ourselves. This is an impressive group of volunteers. For example, on 82 year old man is a gov't lawyer. Another woman is a retired Standford U. professor. At least 8 have never volunteered with GV before. But everyone is very friendly and helpful. I think this will be a good group.

A teacher from the high school came during the meeting to give us a better idea of what me will be doing in the classroom. I know from experience, this can all change by tomorrow. We also got a quick lesson in Italian. There are lots of Italian words that are similar to Spanish words, so that helps me. Actually, I should be quite the lingusist now because I have had lessons in Swahili, Indian, Spanish, Vietnam and now Italian. It would be nice to learn one. Ha!!

Tonight we are going out to have pizza. So far, the food has been great. We had some kind of pasta with mussels and shrimp for lunch today. Breakfast was a buffet with lots of fruit, bread, and Desserts!! This will be no weight-lost program. Ha!

Hope all is well with you...(did not proof read-my disclaimer)

BMW, one of many motorbikes parked on the street.

My coed dorm room at the BeeHive.

The Leonardo Express From airport to Cent. Rome

Rome...

I was all packed and waiting for my VNese brother Tuan who arrived at the house at 10:30 am, per our agreement. Next I was going to check in with Lufthansa Airlines; then I  would have time for a nice leisurely coffee and lunch with him before departing. Didn't happen. I decided to take a photo while in line. Turn on my camera and got a message "no memory card". I immediately open my suitcase, thinking it was in there. No, I had left it on the computer table at home. I asked Tuan to go home and get it-on advantage of living near the airport-and I would checkin and wait for him. It seemed like it took him longer than normal but finally he got back. Now, only time to get a sandwich and coffee "to go" for him. After I got through security, and found the gate, they were loading. No time to spare!

The flight to Frankfurt was smooth and only 9 hours. We took the polar route, over Greenland.  Some seats were empty, maybe 10%. Lots of Germans and Russians on board.  The food was good, and lots of free alcohol, even hard liquor. I drank a German beer called War?????? The man next to me was from Frankfurt, and he works for solar energy company.  He came to Portland to help promote his company. 

Frankfurt airport is old and seemed disorganized.  Even on the connecting flight, you have to go through security again, which took about an hour because, they seem to stop for no reason. A woman cut in front of me just as I was getting to the front, insisting that she would miss her flight if she had to wait at the back of the line. I  begrudgingly let her in, wondering later if she made it. The most interesting thing about the airport was these small kid-like bikes, that messengers ride around in. That looked pretty efficient. 

The flight to Rome as only about 75 minutes.  I thought having direction arrows on the floor was a great method, as I easily found the baggage area. Next, I found the Leonardo Express to the Central train station in Rome. The ticket was 11 euros, which, I think, is about $14 + .  One place tried to sell me a slightly higher ticket but I had researched the price before leaving Portland. This train reminded me of Portland's MAX. For example, you have to validate your ticket and most of the machines didn't work. Familiar??? And the name is truly a misnomer. It was slow, stopping only once at the central terminal. But at least this was a sure way for me to get to the right place, as my hostel is only two blocks from the terminal.  My view from the window of the train wasn't great, but I did see some small nurseries or farms, with lots of green grass and palm trees. It looked like Oregon. 

The hostel is nice. It is 25 euros per night, and I will stay here two nights. I just bought my train ticket for Saturday. This will be a bullet train, so we will see if this one is really speedy..Ha!! I am tired, as I didn't sleep much yet. I am hoping to sleep ok in my co-ed dorm room . True!! 

I hope to take a half day tour tomorrow. The traffic doesn't look too bad but the cars are definitely different. Lots of motorbikes, smart cars, and other odd vehicles. 

I know this is a boring start, and it might be the sane each time.. Just my thoughts....