First Day of Classes

My Italian Classroom.  There are only 5 of us in the class.

The front entrance to the school.  The building itself dates back to medieval times, but the inside is entirely modern. It is right in the middle of the historic center.

Today was my first day of classes!  I was a little nervous, but they were so great.  My first class is Italian from 9 to 11:30.  I didnt realize how much Ive already learned from my family, but class today was very easy, since I already know a lot.  I went back to the house after class for lunch.  I was a little nervous, because Oleania wasnt going to be there so it was just me, Manuela and Felice, and Patrizio, so no English.  It was ok though!  We were able to communicate pretty well.  Then around 2:30, Ole gets home from school so we all stay and talk while she eats lunch, and their cousin Georgio came over again too.  Manuela invited me to help her care for the plants on the terrace tomorrow, so that will be fun to learn.  Around 3:30 I had my cooking class. BEST CLASS EVER!  Giordano, my teacher, learned how to cook from his parents and grandparents who own the best bakery and best market in the city (which he now cooks for). He also grew up around my host family, so he learned from my host mom and her mother.  ALSO, he went to culinary school and learned from Marchesi, one of the most famous Italian chefs.  SO, I am learning from an expert!  He makes all the bread and pastries for the bakery in the morning, teaches us during the day, and is a chef at night--so he knows his stuff!  He cracked open a bottle of wine for the class, and we started cooking.  It was only the first day and we learned how to make stocks, marinades, and the different sauces (cream, tomato and pesto).  Then we sit down and eat what we cooked.  What an awesome class!  And yes, I am getting college credit for this.  haha  Back at the house, we hung out on the terrace with Georgio and Elisa, the children, and ate dinner there too.   It sure is exhausting never getting a moment to relax since every moment is a learning experience, and Im constantly drying to translate things in my head, but its so worth it.

Oh, and PS to Jordan...my professor is starting a line of goods called "Franci" and is looking for American restaurants interested in importing.  Linos, anyone?! haha  My family gets all their baked goods from his market, and his bread and biscotti are soooo good.  They go through at least 2 or 3 loafs of bread at each meal.  Which, by the way, is just sliced up and scattered out in the middle of the table. haha