And the snow came down...

Well a lot has been happening at school prior to break. I've learned that our 3rd and 5th graders put on a play each year under the direction of our music teacher and his partner. The 3rd grade presented Pinnocchio right before break ... and a production it was! The whole 3rd grade participates and each child has a part (good thing there are only 2 third grade classes). It was amazing to see these mostly second language speakers come to life on stage - although this presentation took much time out of classroom instruction ... I think the language skills gained was worth it! I was quite impressed. It was amazing to watch and hear the families in the audiance yelling out "bravo and bravissimo."


We also Celebrated Carnivale - the day before Lent begins, sometimes known as Fat Tuesday! Well the Italians do it up big. Our Italian teachers planned a presentation for our February whole school meeting using children in grades 1 through 5 to present the history of Carnivale and demonstrate how it is Cclebrated throughout the different regions of Italy ... I certainly learned a lot! Children and adults alike dress up (somewhat like our Halloween) and as you can imagine ... food abounds ~ Frappe (a sugar coated pastry of sorts) is one of Carnival's staples.
It was a fun celebration for all.

But ... the biggest event that occurred prior to break was ... SNOW! It has not snowed in Rome since 1987 (not for 23 years) ... and the Friday before break, the snow came down. Well, you can imagine the excitement and panick that brought about. The students went wild ... high schoolers were sliding on their bottoms down the campus hill. It was so delighful for me to see the joy on the students faces as they ran outside to try to catch the snowflakes - an occurrence that we take for granted and often despise on the east coast of the USA, was like a miracle to the children in Rome. The school decided to dismiss as 1pm - which was a little bit of a nightmare because people are not used to driving in the snow. However, the school was amazingly empty by 2 at which time the sun was shining and most of the snow had melted ~ quite an enjoyable way to start the break!

The February break Lele brought to Rome (while sending Michael to the states). We ventured to Florence ... what a beautiful city! Somewhat like Rome in art and history, but quieter and more quaint. We saw Michael Angelo's David ... which was impressive to say the least ... you can stand and stare at it forever and continued to be amazed! We sat in piazzas (Piazza Republica mostly) and drank wine or preseco or indulged ourselves with chocialato con panne (hot chocolate with cream) - a drink ~more desert~ unlike you have ever seen! We rode by bus up into the hills of Fieresole ... which looks down over the city of Florence, a beautiful sight. We also hiked up the many, many steps to Piazelle Michael Angelo in Florence which again offered beautiful viewing - all of which makes me realize why I am here. Lele scoured the leather markets and in the end bought 2 beautiful bags ... me, I'm more of a food and clothes girl, (the bags just do not do it for me). We dined at some amazing restaurants and ate our hearts out ... we were quite full after three days when we Boarded the train back to Rome!

Once back in Rome, Lele and I continued our quest for great food and were once again satisfied at restaurants such as Old Bear and Gustos ~ just can not get enough of the food here ~ another reason I think I'm here. We shopped and ate, we walked and ate, we visited the Vatican, Colloseum, Galleria Borghese and ate some more. We searched for the best gelato establishments in both Florence and Rome and think we settled on two (Geletaria Grom in Florence and The Old Bridge Gelateria in Rome). And believe me when I tell you we did thorough research.

I was sad to say goodbye to Lele at the airport, but am grateful for our time together. I look forward to Michael's return and am anxious to hear his news from the states! One of the best things I learned during Lele's visit is that I am actually beginning to learn some italian. I can order in a restaurant and get my visitors to mostly anyplace in Rome - I'll settle for that small accomplishment at this juncture..hope the learning continues at a rapid pace!