February 22, 2010

  • Still here!

    I've been reminded that it's quite a long time since I last wrote. In case anyone was worried, I am still here!!
    It's been a busy few weeks...

    I've redone almost all of my documents, and got all my replacement bank/credit cards. Still got the (possibly most problematic) one to go: my carta regionale dei servizi (including the TEAM/EHIC part). This involves another trip to l'ASL (the health dept office) which is barely ever open, miles away and generally a right pain. I'm going to have to try and go there after school tomorrow morning I think...

    The following weekend was much more successful than the Venice one. Having been in Verona on Friday for the CELTA course (and another successful observed teaching session), I had to return on Saturday to complete the first part of my observation of an experienced teacher. I observed a 2 hour intermediate level lesson which was fantastic! Really enjoyed it and picked up a few nice tips.
    After the morning at the school I wandered into Verona centre. It was Valentine's weekend so they had a few special things going on. In Piazza dei Signori there was a massive red heart made out of a market (best seen from above) - red carpet in the shape of a heart, surrounded by white rooved market stalls. They were giving out wine tasters and stuff and it was generally very nice. For the first time, I went up the tower and the view from up there back down across the Piazza was stunning. I'm not sure why I hadn't done that on any of the previous visits to Verona, but it was a perfect day to do it as the skies were nice and clear. I'm in school, otherwise I'd attach some of the photos I took!

    Having spent a bit longer in Verona than I intended, I got a much later train to Trento. I had arranged to meet Stefania at 6.30pm, and it was very lucky that the train I got in the end was due in at 18.28! Stefania was there when I got there, and I was very excited that in the car as well were Elisabetta and now-not-so-baby Sebastiano. I last saw them in 2007 when he was fairly newborn so it was wonderful to see them again.
    I was in Trento for a party held by the choir I was in there... it was carnival weekend so lots of costumes, lots of children (several of whom, like Sebastiano, were a lot bigger than last time I saw them!). Really nice reunion with lots of people :)
    I stayed with Stefania overnight and then headed back to get the train home at about 10.30am on Sunday.
    I had to change trains in Verona, and unfortunately there was a bit of drama on the second train...they had found a body on the tracks between Verona and Brescia and so all the trains were suspended. In the end they put all the regionale passengers onto the EC trains, so we got to travel in a bit more style (although still well over an hour late). This was a bit annoying as I was supposed to be meeting Mum and Dad at Brescia station...their train from Milan was due in about 4 minutes after mine was meant to be. However, in the end it worked out quite well as they had been able to go to the hotel and sort out stuff and I met them there. Had a belated birthday celebration at that point as well which was lovely (actually got to unwrap some presents this time, rather than the people in my building having done it for me...)

    We spent the rest of Sunday afternoon exploring Brescia - more carnival events going on so we saw lots of children in their fun costumes (I love the animal suits complete with tail!). Then later had a lovely meal out in one of the restaurants in Brescia that I've been dying to go to.
    The next day was the San Faustino (patron saint of Brescia) festival. I live on via San Faustino which was the centre of the events. Basically it was a massive market covering all the central streets. Sooooo many people packed into the streets! It was quite incredible.
    During the afternoon we escaped the crowds and went up the hill to the castle. I was really pleased to go up there again and managed to find a different route up which was not nearly as exhausting as the one I took last time! So I didn't feel quite as much like I was going to die when I got to the top!!!
    On Tuesday we did more exploring and went to the Museum. My 2nd trip, as thoroughly enjoyed as the first... wonderful to see the Inca Exhibition again.

    All in all a lovely few days spent with mamma e papa :)

    On Wednesday it was back to the realities of teaching as although I had arranged the morning off to spend with them before they left for the airport, I had to take the Trinity exam course in the afternoon. Then a full day of lessons on Thursday...  I feel like I've had a nice holiday though as I didn't have a full week of teaching the week before either, so this will be my first full week again. Including my first one hour assessed CELTA lesson. Oh joy!!

    One last great thing. On Saturday night it was the monthly Taize service and this time there were loads more people there which was great. We went to a pizzeria afterwards as well so I got to talk to them more. I've decided (and booked) to go to Taize at Easter. It's something I've been very keen to do, and the Brescia/Bergamo group are arranging a coach, so it's perfect. It fits in nicely to my holidays from school (with a few days either side of it) and will be a lovely way to spend Easter. I'm so excited!! Just got to find someone who can lend me a sleeping bag and roll mat, as all my camping stuff is in England!

    That's it for now... sorry it's long. Had a few weeks to catch up on don't you know!