We did something different today than spend a day in the city. We went to a farm to see how Ricotta cheese is made and spent a day on the lake. People swam in the lake, layed out, or just hung out. It was a really nice break from the horns honking and noises from the city. I never knew how relaxing just sitting out in the country can be. It was much needed after all the organized visits and lectures that we have. However for lunch there was a meat and cheese platter which I thought was an appetizer but turns out it was our meal..I love meat and all but not right after I snap shots of pigs on the farm.
Thursday night
We headed to a "Disco" ( a club) in Testaccio (Right next to our neighborhood) with the whole class. It was a blast being out with everyone. American music was being played, and not really different than the American party scene except they had a dress-code and wouldn't let many guys in. We were lucky that the two guys in our group were let in with no problem. The clubs are open until 4am so our bus that left at 7:15 the next day was brutal, but it was worth it. The walk is only 15 minutes so I am loving the area that we are located. Now I know where to take Mom and Dad!
Friday
We boarded a bus at 8am and headed to Cilento which is on the coast of the Mediterranean and about a four hour drive. This again is different from the city and what you would picture Italy to be. Narrow streets, clothes hanging out on the line, and seafood everywhere. The only problem--once you leave big tourist cities like rome, nobody speak English in little cities. Here we saw how coffee is made which is the strongest coffee ever and what fresh Buffalo Mozzarella taste like. Which is the best!! I will never eat string cheese again. I also learned how to make pasta from scratch. Basically I learned that everything in Italy is made fresh and they take great pride into what they do. We then went down to the shore and talked to fishermen and saw what they caught that day. He insisted on giving us a ride on the boat. With all 20 of us on a fishermen boat we go over a rocky patch and get stuck. Our instructor was freaking out and it was quite an experience. (I uploaded a video of it on facebook so check it out.) We were so happy when we were all back on land once again. That night we went to a little restaurant which was included and had about a 8 course meal (or at least it felt like it.) The waiter didn't speak english but managed to host karaoke as well as cooking the food. He did everything. Our hotel that we stayed at was really nice and way more modern than our apartments at Rome however; we were only there to sleep and that is it.
Saturday
We went to a place where they produce olive oil. We tasted different kinds of olive oil and had probably one of the best meals there. We ate our meal outside which look like a wedding could be held here. We then went down by the Mediterranean and sat by the beach all day just to relax. The beach was much needed. The water was cold but it felt so good and I didn't even burn!! I experienced my first cup of gelato and wish I hadn't because it is going to be addicting. After the beach we went back to the hotel to clean up then went to a pizza factory which we had a pizza tasting. I am never eating pizza again. The food was so good but they kept coming out of the kitchen with more types of pizza before I could finish the slice that I was eating. The wine is great here--but the only pop they have is Coke, Coke "Light" and Fanta. I miss my pepsi! Cilento had a Buffalo Mozzarella festival being held in their village so we all went out and explored that. I have never got so many stares, all of us stuck out like a sore thumb in a little town like that. The teachers went out with us and it was alot of fun. These bars did not play American music so we just made our own.
Sunday
Today we went to Salerno and toured the botanical gardens which every plant in Italy can be found here. We had a tea tasting that included herbs and spices. The garden was 5 stories high which overlooked Salerno with a beautiful view. After that, we walked along the sea and shopped at the local market. We ate lunch at a sea food place all together then headed back to Rome. As soon as I got to the apartment I got on facebook because I had with-drawls! Small villages like that have awful internet connection, I don't know what they do. Tonight we are taking an easy and staying in. It's nice being back in Rome but it was a nice break from the city.
Tomorrow
We are going to learn a little bit of Italian and then sight-see the vatican then hopefully hit the town tomorrow night!
Mom: I don't know why you can't get through to me on our phone. Lets just plan on you calling around 7pm noon your time tomorrow. I will give you a call to let you know I am home.
arivaderchi!
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