First Day of School!

Today we began our first class, ‘Disegno in Orvieto’.  Since we only take one class at a time during the semester, we’ll be focusing just on design and drawing for the month. Since my art education ended in middle school, I was definitely out of my element when the professor sent us out into Orvieto to make a giant drawing of anything that we saw.  I ended up picking the warmest, sunniest spot that I could find and then drawing the easiest thing that I could spot -- a lamp post.  The gorgeous views of surrounding Umbria were definitely a bonus of the spot that I picked. 

While I was drawing, a few older Italian gentlemen stopped by to chat and look at my drawing.  Once they deduced that I was ‘Americana’ they used hand movements instead of words to communicate, and I was also able to practice my Italian (Ciao! Grazie!)  They were kind enough to say that my lamp post was ‘bella’.  We also had our first Italian class today, so hopefully I’ll soon be able to add a few new phrases to the repertoire.  

We had the most delicious dinner tonight, but sadly (not surprising…) I didn’t bring my camera.  However, I think that I’d like to eat bruschetta, cheese, prosciutto, focaccia and apples every day for the rest of my life.  While drinking cappuccino.