San Pietro 1 + Ravenna

I am sitting in the coffee shop area under the hotel completely immersed in Italy!! There are people coming in and out ordering coffee. There is a table in front of me full of newspapers and Nonno’s just chatting about life. The accent here is a bit weird for me and I don’t understand a lot of what they say. Its almost as if they’re slurring their words. I pick up bits here and there. Its still cool though! I feel like I’m in a movie or something. On the bar there is food t munch, crackers, peppers, olives, salsa, veggies, nuts…. The usual Italian way! And on the other side of the bar is where the gelato is. We have it EVERY NIGHT after dinner. I am tempted to get some right now and after dinner but I will refrain. I’m sitting as far away as humanly possible to the gelato so I don’t get too tempted.

Unfortunately I got separated from Evan and Nicole. They went to some farming county and I am in San Pietro in Vincoli which is a town about 20 min bus ride from Ravenna. I am with 2 americans and 2 Australians. It’s been really cool talking to them and getting to know them, especially Gary and Siobhan because they’re from Melbourne. Everyone is really nice, and although I do miss my old crew of tutors, I have to meet new people! Ahahaha I can’t live the high life all summer! Even though I have been extremely fortunate thus far. The camp is a bit smaller. 49 kids and they’re all really well behaved. I’m teaching the same age level again :) I am going to be a pro soon! Ahahah I know it like the back of my hand.

On Sunday we went to Ravenna!! None of the shops were open but they had a little market style area with booths and people selling all sorts of things. From coins, stamps, clothes, jewllery, African stuff, antiques, pictures, WWII medals, lamps…. Etc etc etc ! It was awesome! There was a lot of antique jewllery that I loved looking at! The medals and coins too! A lot of this stuff was antiques which made it really cool to look through. I didn’t buy anything. I’ve been really good with my money thus far!! Everyone can be proud of me for that! Ahaha Usually my life savings is gone by this point. So we walked around there then saw some incredible churches!!! Ravenna is known for Mosaic technique. We went into a church that actually took my breath away. Pictures don’t do it any justice. All natural lighting, mosaics done with golds and blended with incredible accuracy. Each picture looks like it was done with a machine. It was incredible to think some of the stuff was done in the 6th century! I felt very honored to be able to view that myself and actually be in the presence of a building that old with millions and millions of people and memories attached to it. I was humbled.