Travel Week with Parents!!

Hi everyone,

There’s definitely a lot to cover in this blog so prepare for a very long read…

Before we even got to the parent trip we had a packed week from saying goodbye to Mr. Petrolito so he could go to Rochester, New York for his son’s wedding, to welcoming Annamaria and Mr. Di Giovanni who would be joining us for the parent trip. We attended a book release for a book based on the fifth canto of Dante Alighieri’s book “The Divine Comedy”. The canto is based on the story of Francesca and Paolo and is about how they get sent to the second circle of Hell for the crime they committed, lust. We were invited to this book signing because Mr. Di Giovanni wrote the introduction to this book. We believe we speak for all when we say our group was extremely well-behaved based on the fact that not only did we sit for 2 hours listening to this presentation, none of us spoke to each other not to mention that the whole thing was in Italian!!! Then as a surprise we were taken to the hotel we were supposed to stay at in Atri for lunch… we think everyone agrees that we got lucky with our hotel in Porto San Giorgio. Then we visited the local church, a 12th century duomo, and were treated to some Gelato by Mr. Di Giovanni for our good behavior during the presentation.

On the last day of school prior to the parent trip we had our regularly scheduled class with the Italian students. This time we had the pleasure of trying something new which was sculpting. Mr. Donadario, the professor of the class, was very welcoming even though he knew little English. The students also joined in by helping us with our sculpting. We had everything from flowers, coffee mugs, bunny rabbits, snowmen, and cubes; we also had random geometrical shapes going. Okay so we’re not exactly the next Da Vincis but we still did pretty well. We ended by scheduling another class for this week coming. Our ‘masterpieces’ will be dry and ready to be picked up for the upcoming class. We then returned home that night to finish packing for the adventure we were about to go on.

We woke up Friday morning with excitement knowing we were about to experience Italy in a whole new way, and those with parents flying in also had the excitement of seeing them that day. We all packed onto the bus Friday morning for the 3 hour bus ride to Tivoli. We arrived in Tivoli around 11am with some students having tear-filled eyes of excitement. The moment we stepped off the bus we were immediately confronted by a slew of parents. Those without parents there also had a few tear-filled moments knowing that they could not enjoy this trip with their families as the other students would be able to. Soon enough the kids broke off catching up with their loved ones until lunch where we enjoyed a lovely meal altogether. It was then announced that we would be going to a beautiful garden known as the Villa D’Este, which most of the girls recognized from The Lizzie McGuire Movie. The garden was breath-taking; we were all in awe from the fountains and pools. Gosh, we wouldn’t want to know the cost of that water bill! We ended the day with a little bit of shopping time and the returning to the hotel. We then had a relaxing dinner and all broke off to do our own things for the night, awaiting the early wake-up call the next morning.

We attempted to do Rome in one day so it was a day full of sightseeing and walking. The first two pieces of architecture we saw in Rome were the Arch of Constantine and the Coliseum… which was HUGE! Also in Rome we saw the Pantheon with its large dome ceiling. Natalia H definitely had an eventful day she lay down on the floor of the Pantheon to look up, plus got bitten by a horse outside the Pantheon. Guess she got a little too close. The Trevi Fountain was what we were looking forward to the most, again this is thanks to the Lizzie McGuire movie. The legend about the Trevi Fountain is you’re supposed to throw in three coins: one to return to Rome, a second to find love and a third to get married. So we lined up with our backs facing the Trevi, put our coins in our right hand, threw them over our shoulder and made a wish. The last thing we saw in Rome was St. Peter’s Basilica; it was one of the first things we saw in Italy in September but for the parents’ sake we visited it again. This time we did not go into the Vatican museum; instead we went in to the catacombs where many popes were buried including the beloved Pope John Paul II where many people were mourning. Then we got on a bus and drove to our next hotel.

Over the next two days we did less sightseeing and more shopping. How could you not when you’re in Florence and Venice? In Florence we saw many things pertaining to Michelangelo such as the Academia Di Belle Arti where we saw the David (he definitely was big) and we also saw Santa Croce Basilica where Michelangelo and many other artists were buried. After all the sightseeing we split up to go shopping, Florence being famous for its leather, silk and gold gave us a lot to do, see and buy. After all the shopping was done we met back in Piazza del Popolo next to the fountain of Neptune. Venice is the city on the water so many of us went for gondola rides. It was definitely an amazing experience; we went under the Rialto Bridge and passed many historical and beautiful buildings. Plus we got some shopping time in Venice too; they are famous for their masks and glass almost everyone got either one of the two items or both. Those were definitely two productive days. We returned to Porto San Giorgio that night.
Finally back ‘home’ in PSG for the first day October 20, we got to sleep in and have leisurely morning, we got to enjoy the parents and roam around town. After lunch we were told we were going on an afternoon excursion to Loreto. We all piled on the bus once again and took a short bus ride to the nearby town. The bus took us all the way up to the top of the mountain to where the Santa Casa Cathedral of Loreto is located. We saw the local monks all dressed in baby blue then we entered the church. The church was bold and beautiful and you where instantly overwhelmed with all the artistic and architectural features. We then had some free time that most used to look out at the amazing view, snap some pictures, visit the tiny religious stores, get some gelato, and then all meet back and the main fountain in front of the church for a few more photos before heading back to the bus. The following day, October 21, we woke up not too early and once again hopped on the bus for a short bus ride to Fermo where we would get to spend the morning shopping and/or going to the beautiful church at the top of the mountain. Some of the students and parents decided to go straight to the Basilica and go inside while others decided to follow Mr.D to a tiny shoe outlet with amazing shoes and amazing prices! Most people either bought a pair of boots or heels for a relatively low price for the quality you received. After they had made their purchases some people decided to book it to the church whereas others decided to head back to the main piazza and grab a slice of pizza. We were then picked up by the bus and driven to the City Hall of Fermo where we had the pleasure of meeting the President of the province. We sat and listened to a short speech by several council members and then where invited to toast the president with champagne that he poured for us, that was pretty cool we must say. After that we then again climbed on to our bus and took another short ride back to PSG where we would have lunch and then be dismissed to do whatever we pleased for the rest of the day.

Ravenna was our last excursion. We got to visit the Basilica of San Vitale where the mosaics of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora are. It was exciting to see them after all that time examining the mosaics in class and trying to figure out what sort of messages and symbols are within the piece; it was amazing to finally get to be able to see them in person. We also got to see Sant’Apollinare Nouvo and Dante’s tomb which apparently was moved four times. After all those long excursions it was nice to finally get home even though it was about a five hour bus ride. That night was a very special night because Mr. P and his wife returned to the hotel that night; it definitely wasn’t the same without him and his speeches at dinner. It was also the last night with the parents so we all went out for gelato, I don’t think that place has ever had so much business. The next day was definitely a hard one because it was the last day with the parents. During the last lunch together we celebrated Mr. P’s and Dylan’s birthday plus gave a few speeches thanking all those who have helped us so much. After lunch most went out for more gelato, or for a last walk of the town until it was time to say goodbye. Saying bye was definitely emotional even for those without parents on the trip because of how attached we got to each of the parents. The funniest thing that happened was the bus almost left Annamaria behind. Too bad they didn’t; we really miss her. Hopefully she’ll be back in December.

Now that the parent trip is over we’re trying to ease back in to school, went to church and had an extremely quiet dinner. Getting back to our regular schedule isn’t easy, but we’re working on it. Well that’s it for this blog, hope you enjoyed it.

Ciao

We miss you all,

Melissa and Taylor

Reminder: as always, please check out our many photos from the parent trip at www.flickr.com/photos/tcdsbinitalia


Parents Poem

The parents came, though not for long
It was a trip full of jokes and song
Mr. Di Giovanni with his unending knowledge of facts
And for mixing up Spanish and Italian Dylan’s mom sure has a knack

Michelle’s family has style and grace, always with a smile on their face
And if you need a shopping guide mama Burns has the best taste
Sean’s mom has her rubber jokes
And the taste of mushrooms makes his aunt choke

Claire’s family is happy with ‘corny jokes’
And Katarzyna’s mom being quiet and calm is most definitely a hoax
Alex’s mom bashes twilight and her father plays cards till dawn
And somehow Annamaria always seems to know where to find a Benetton

The Handziuks are stalkarazzi with the kinder and wine
Ms. Parwicki always with the best buys and cutest design
Julia’s family would be the perfect candidates for the amazing race
And even with the littlest Longo, Sam’s family set an extremely fast pace

This trip we retained a lot of knowledge
Took a break from living like we’re in college
We got to know the parents and had a blast
Too bad it couldn’t last

… This was all approved by your children oh and Alex we love your watermelon shoes J


What was your favorite memory from the trip?

Melissa – Last minute shopping in Venice (literally)
Sam Longo- Mask shopping
Sam Davies- Gondola ride
Natalia H.- “That’s what she said” joke at the Trevi Fountain/ Getting bit by the horse in front of the Pantheon
Dylan- Towel warmers in the Hotel Raffaello
Ricker- Gondola ride
Sean- Steak in Florence
Peter- Pizza in Venice/ Villa D’Este
Marisa- Gondola ride or TC
Clarissa- Seeing my cousin for the first time
Julia- Pizza in Rome
Alex- Eating lunch in Florence/ Gondola ride
Chelsea- Petting the horse in front of the Pantheon/ Gondola ride
Heather- Shopping with mom/ Gondola ride
Silvana- Fermo shoe outlet (where I bought my leather boots)
Katarzyna- The first hug
Michelle- The ‘Amazing Race’ through the Gardens with my sister Alex
Claire- Seeing my parents