Ciao from Boomer in Italy!

Ciao!

     We are so excited to finally be in Arezzo, Italy! Boomer and the Jeaninne Rainbolt College of Education students got in yesterday afternoon and just finished there first day of class! Here is a photo taken on the way to Arezzo after leaving the airport in Rome.

     This morning we had an orientation where we learned some key Italian phrases to try to get by. I was surprised to learn that most people here know common English phrases and are willing and able to help us all out! Here is a link to an article with simple Italian phrases and pronunciation: http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/italian.php. 

Here is another photo taken on the bus ride to Arezzo.

     This morning we also had a wonderful opportunity to take a walking tour of the town by a member of OU in Arezzo. We passed by cafés, bakeries, clothing stores, the train station, and were able to do a little shopping at the grocery store! Our group's favorite stop was Piazza Grande- a historic center that has been around since the 1500's! Our tour guide, Charlotte, was able to explain the architecture and what each building housed. She said our group was the most curious OU group she had ever taken on a tour and that we will make great teachers! Here is a link to some history of a Arezzo if you are curious about learning more: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/tuscany/arezzo-history.asp. 

Here's a picture of our group getting their first look at Piazza Grande.

     Our group has been eating all sorts of delicious Italian food. One of Boomer's new favorite food is gelato! Our group has already been to the gelato shop twice and we plan on going back often- there is literally one at every corner of Arezzo!

Here is a link to a recipe on how to make a similar gelato to the one above (cheesecake gelato): http://www.askchefdennis.com/2012/07/very-cherry-and-blueberry-cheesecake-gelatos-for-national-ice-cream-month/

 Here is Boomer at one of our bed and breakfasts- Sant Agostino! He is out in the sun trying to adjust to the seven hour time difference. He is experiencing jet lag. Jet lag is a physiological condition a person gets when they travel to a place with a different time zone from there own. Here is an article you can read about jet lag and how to adjust to it: http://www.medicinenet.com/jet_lag/article.htm

We can't wait to see what is in store this month!

-Michelle Subramaniam