Home...where to begin

I slept in my own bed last night for the first time in weeks. It felt good but my sleep is messed up and will probably remain that way for at least this next week.  I had a great trip and this will also probably be my last blog for a while. I plan to stay home for the next few months. It is always good to travel but good to be home too..

My Friday morning flight from Rome started with a jolt...and it was caffeine from a cappuccino! I was so afraid that I would oversleep and miss my 4 am taxi, that I slept very sporadically Thursday night, constantly checking the time. When the alarm did ring, I must have been asleep as I shot up, falling out of bed, actually tipping the bed frame over.  I probably woke up my neighbors. Thank goodness I didn't break the bed! 

At 3:50 AM, the taxi that the convent had arranged arrived. After I got in the cab, I discussed the 35 euros that the nun said he would charge. Of course, that was wrong, so then we had to agree on a price. I knew it should be more because of the early hour, so after a brief negotiation he agreed to take 40.  I only had a few extra euros with me, as I was leaving the country.  After the driver got out of the main area of the city, we got on a two lane highway of sorts, and it was petal to the metal all the way. Yes, there was no traffic at this hour, but I felt like we were in NASCAR race.  If we crashed, I wouldn't have to worry about the flight. Ha!! At one point, I looked over at his speedometer, which read 200 KMH!! That is 125 MPH!! An this was an older station wagon type vehicle. I don't think he was mad at me because of the price; only in a hurry to get me to the airport and get his next customer. I got the the airport in 20 minutes. I got my money's worth!!

Inside, it was virtually  deserted.  It was 4:15 am. I found the Lufthansa checkin counter and waited for someone to show up.  A steward arrived about 4:45 am so I checked in. I tried to ask her about my connecting flight time, but she assured me that I had plenty of time. I didn't feel like she really wanted help me; Maybe it was just too early in the morning.  On board, I found a more friendlier steward, who showed me on a airport map where my connecting gate was and how to get there. My main concern was that I only had 70 minutes and if I had to go through passport and security clearance too, I might not make my flight. Lufthansa actually schedules flights with as little as 30 minutes in between connections. Now that would be a disaster in the U.S. Also, I was nervous because my other experience in Frankfurt was that I needed at least 2 hours.  I just had to wait and let nature run its course.

As I deplaned, I again asked at the counter about the connecting gate. I was told which way to go and where to find the lift. (I had forgotten that lift is elevator).  I overshot the elevator and had to backtrack, and then the elevator skipped my floor, but I finally got on the right level. And then I arrived with about 30 minutes to spare. I could relax, for now.. 

My flight was good, only about 10 hours using the Polar route. Portland it was sunny and about 70 degrees. Now, it is just a matter of deciding which project to start on first. Ha!!  Or deciding where to go next. ??  

I forgot to tell you about my visit to the Catacombe di Priscilla in Rome. I got directions from the tourist information office, but they didn't exactly tell you the specific location. So when I asked the bus driver, he told me where to get off and which direction to walk. Well, he was wrong so I ended up walking about 3 km more than necessary but it is all about the adventure. At the catacombs, I joined a tour group of about 20, mostly Polish nuns and a German couple, but the tour was in English. 

The underground cemetery was fascinating. There were 3 levels, and a labyrinth of tunnels, very dark and cool. It is not for the claustrophobic. Inside, there are no bones, but there were unopened graves, original tombstones and other different artifacts. Some of the tombstones were as far back as the 4 century. Different graves sizes for adults, children, and infants. In the end, the guide got tired, so he turned off the lights as a joke, which was slightly scary. Otherwise, it was well worth going to..... fascinating history. Enough!!

Hope everyone has a good weekend...Cheers!!

Homeward Bound

My Days in Rome have ended and now it is only hours before my flight leaves. Rome has to be one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world. Everywhere I go I see people trying to read a map of Rome(maybe 1 in 3). You see tour group everywhere. The Swedish group that was here at the convent left this morning and now there is another group to replace them. And these people are not all young. Many are older than me, walking for hours, in the heat of the afternoon. I give them a lot of credit.

Lately, I have been traveling everywhere in Rome by autobus or Metro. I think my bus riding experience in Portland has helped me understand this system better. Every bus I have been on is quite crowded, always more people standing than sitting. This is where you have to be careful with your money or other valuables. I took the Metro and autobus to Vatican and St. Peter’s Bacillica yesterday. The Metro was extremely crowded but this was during morning rush hour. I actually had to take two subways, but they move quite fast and it is a another world underground. There might even be two levels.

After getting off the subway, I walked to the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel. The line went quickly, and then you can rent a small audible player to listen to information about each thing that you see. The Vatican museum is really a collection of sculptures, paintings, tapestries, and artifacts collected by the Pope or the church during the Roman and Greek Times. It goes on forever. You can spend days in there. But again, there were people everywhere. One thing I saw was a mummified woman form about 500 AD. It was amazing how well preserved her body was and her red hair. (Red hair is very popular here. Something to do with henna, which I know nothing about. ha!). Of course, the crowning masterpiece for visitors is probably the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It is amazing. You can’t see it too well because the room is dark and you have to look up. But, just to learn how difficult it was to create is amazing!! Then to make is so extraordinarily eye catching is probably a miracle. In reading about it, Michelangelo really didn’t want to paint the ceiling because he insisted he was a sculptor not a painter. But when he finished, it blew them away... I am glad I saw it.

After 3 hours in the Vatican museum, I had to find a place to rest, have lunch before tackling St. Peter’s Bacillica. The huge square in front of St. Peter’s is really an oval, with about 150 pillars around the edge. These really seem huge when you are standing beside the base of one of them. I was mentally preparing myself for a long line, when I heard someone say “Free tour in English group”. I immediately followed the sound and found a tour guide who was giving free English tours. We were a group of 6. I was extremely lucky, because you get to cut through the line if you are with a group.

Inside, words can not describe what your eye beholds. It is the biggest church in the world, maybe?? The guide gave us all kinds of statistics about the dimensions, which were all astounding. I do remember it took 120 years to build and about 5 Popes. I wonder how many workers? There are so many domes everywhere. and hundreds of huge pillars. The main alter is surrounded by bronze twisted pillars. The two pieces that I liked. One was Michelangelo’s Pieta, which has incredible detail. And to think that one mistake with this marble, and you have to start over. Michelangelo was only 28 when he did this and it was the last piece he ever signed. After that, everyone knew his work without his signature. Another piece that I liked was the sitting statue of St. Peter, with is his shoes off. People come up and kiss his feet or touch his feet.

I am very glad I got to see both of these places. I think this is place that people should put on their list of must places to see.

Little things that I have noticed in Italy. Italians like to talk with their hands. The use a lot of body language. I guess I always knew that but it becomes very obvious in Italy. Italians love their wine and pasta. You can find at least 30 restuants within a few blocks of this convent. All serve Pasta and wine, and the Gelato!!Now, I like it too, but I can’t figure out why they are not heavier(body weight). Maybe it is the Vino!! Many people in Italy were stylish sunglasses and distinctive watches. It is again very noticeable everywhere. In Italy, I have talked to lots of street vendors, who are generally from Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, and Bangladesh. These are supposedly all legal, but can’t get a job because of the economy and just live on a few euros a day.(I understand they have many illegal aliens too). So the world’s poor is the same everywhere. I don’t know how they do it. Yet they all have a dream!! I feel so Blessed!!

Well, I hope my flight home goes well tomorrow. I have a very tight transfer time in Frankfurt-only 1 hour and 10 minutes. I called Lufthansa, hoping that they will “hold my hand” and guide me through to make sure but they insisted I can do it alone. Ha!! If I have to go through security and passport screening like I did coming, I doubt it.. So, hopefully I will be home Friday noon!! I am sure the weather is great in Portland.

Arrivederci......hopefully, a prologue I get home.

Getting Around in Rome

Sunday morning I went to 10 am Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore church. It is a huge church with lots of mosaics inside. Before Mass, the priests had some sort of prayer session, at least I think they were priests. They were all dressed in red, but I don’t think they were cardinals. There are huge marble pillars everywhere and lots domed ceilings. The gold on the alter was very noticeable too.

During Mass, the men’s choir or they could have been all priests, sounded beautiful. I was kind of like I was back 50 years ago, as I couldn’t tell the latin from the Italian. Amazingly, I could remember some of the latin responses. About 10 priests on the alter too, so like a high Mass. It was very cool inside too, with lots of tourists attending.

The convent, il Rosario, is working out great. My room is small, but very clean, quiet, and safe. I am lucky to get this place as it is all full now. There is a group of 20 here on tour, but I think they have about 40 rooms. In the morning, you get free breakfast too. I can lockup my valuables during the day also. This is close to the center of Rome, near Trevi fountain, and the Termini. During the last 2 days, I have done a lot of walking as it is quite easy to get around on foot. Tomorrow, I plan to use the bus and Metro, as I bought a 3 day Roma pass for 23 euros, which lets you in to two museums free. On Monday, most museums are closed, so I took the open tour bus where you can hop on and off all day. This bus takes you around to 11 different places, like St. Peter’s, the Repubblica, and Piazza Venezia. I think it is a good way to get your bearings and learn something too. You listen to a headset about each place. The double decker bus gives you a great view too.

I also got my laundry done today, at the nearby laundrymat. It cost 6 euros, which was a lot cheaper than it was in Cisternino. So now I think I am set until I get home.

Traffic can be heavy and frenetic in Rome. I have not seen an accident yet which baffles me because of the way they drive. Many people drive fast and fearless. And traffic gets back up, more so in the afternoon. There is some horn honking but not a lot. If you are crossing the street, you generally have to give way to the car, as they generally don’t stop. Today, I saw a bus driver make a left turn, only to be met head on by a taxi, maybe about 2 feet from impact. The bus driver waited for the taxi to back up. He started yelling at the taxi driver. I couldn’t hear the taxi guy, but he didn’t budge. Then the bus driver turns off his bus and they both sit in their vehicles. In the meantime, traffic is backing up in both directions. Horns blaring. After 5 minutes, the taxi driver backs up a little then turns to go around the bus. (it would have been much easier for the taxi cab to back up than the bus driver. )

Ok, I know this isn’t much news, but I am fine. Tomorrow, I hope to go to the Vatican and St. Peters... Ciao......

Finished School.

School ended yesterday. I didn't think I would get as attached to these students but in the end it was quite emotional. I had some great students who seemed to listen to my every word. These students were so open and honest, and friend. When I walked into each room this week, students who I had worked with the week before, would make eye contact with me and immediately start moving the desks so we could sit in one corner of the room. These students are very physical with me and other students. They think nothing of hugging me and the teachers would often kiss me on both cheeks-both male and female teachers. In between classes, student couple could be seen kissing and making out without any concern for the other 100 or so around. It is quite different than Am. students. It is very acceptable.

I also visited the elementary school. The school is near the high school and the principal's wife teaches at the high school. Elementary school is grades 1-5 with middle school grades 6-8. Classes are small, maybe about 20 students in each class. Their school day is the same as the high school, from 8:15-1:30pm. Students in the elementary school wear uniforms.

Last night, there was a small party at the hotel for the English teachers and the volunteers. We had like a cocktail hour with champagne. After dinner, the school gave us each a small ceramic napkin holder made in Cisternino with a rooster on the front. It is quite nice.

I also created a slide show on my laptop that made everyone viewed they thought it was very nice. They all want copies.

Now, tomorrow, Saturday, I am going back to Rome on the train. I have made reservations for a convent in Rome at 42 Euros per night. I will see how that works out. It looks good on the web so hopefully ok....

I hope I sleep good tonight.

Long days in the classroom.

Today, was another long but good day in the classroom. I generally have groups of about 4 students, starting at 8 am and ending today at 4:30 pm.. You can get pretty worn out but I just have to do it for a few more days, so it is doable. The students have been wonderful but their school system is quite different than the Am. system. For example, their about 25 students in each class but the numbers constantly fluctuate because many are often on a field trip. Like today, some were in Rome, others have been to Greece or England. These students seem to be from families who are at least in the upper middle class. Students often come late to class or the teacher comes late. Each class stays together for whole year and maybe for 5 years. (High school is 5 years here). And the teachers move from class to class while the students stay in one room.

In the photo above, one student, Caesar, came late to class. He told me he was late because he had a party at his house and didn't go to bed until 3 am and his parents were not home. I can only imagine. Students can be as old as 20 years old, because if they don't pass the final exam, they repeat the final year. Many students smoke. In the morning, I am often greeted by smoking students right outside the school doors. It seems a bit odd.

Generally, the students are polite, respectfully and attentive. Some speak English better than others, but many are quite limited, even though they have taken English for about 10 years, starting in 2nd grade. Their school day ends at 1:30 pm but they have school on Saturday. Some schools drive cars, but they have to be 18 years old.

The car in the photo is a special French car, designed for trainee car drive or teenager. It can only go about 40 mph. And the driver cannot have any passengers. I have seen lots of "different" cars in Italy. Many nice cars and cars I would never see in the U.S. Fiat is quite popular, but other European car companies seem to be quite popular too. Their are few SUV's or larger cars, maybe it is because families are small, with an average of probably less than two children. Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in the world.

I am hoping the swine flu doesn't affect my return flight. I guess there were 4 cases in Rome but I have seen little news.

Take care...Ciao.

Train trip to Leece

This morning some of us took the train from Cisternino to Leece. Four of us walked to the train station, which was a brisk 30 minutes but the weather was great. The train arrived about 5 minutes late, which was not bad. Our train ride was an hour and half through the countryside- Beautiful flowering poppies, grave vineyards, and olive trees. The train stopped in about 10 stations but moved quickly. The train was quite new.

In Leece, we had another short walk to the historical center. It was quite busy with other Italian tourists, reminding me of Rome. This city's name has something to do with a wolf, and at one time, might have been a Greek territory. Inside the city there were many very nice old churches and Roman ruins dating back to the 6th century.

The train ride back was interesting. I had left the group and alone when I decided to take the train back. So, I had ask someone about which track to wait at. And you always have to validate your ticket too. The train was to stop at track 7 but then suddenly it came to track 5. Then of course, you have to make sure you are on the right train, as they were not marked. But then 3 other volunteers arrived too, so we all went back together. Everything was running smoothly, but then the train stopped at a small station, told us all to get off. Now this was only a two car train train and we are the only 4 passengers. For some reason, we had to wait.. After about 25 minutes, we were told to get back on the train, and off we go. At first I thought we were going to switch trains, but that didn't happen. So, we arrived back to Cisternino about 25 minutes late. But it was a great day. I have been drinking a lot of wine-Suppose to be good for your heart.!!

The hotel has been great. The other volunteers are good to be with so everything is going smoothly... Caio.....