Sono al inzio.

I have seen the first of the Palio events. Today 33 horses ran around the mud-packed piazza for 10 spots. Cannons went off to signal 5 or 6 cavelli for a heat. They mock run and the captains of the competing contradas watch for the best horses making a list for later. The captains meet to choose the 10 all-important horses and a few hours later they are paired with a contrada by chance. Two children pick balls from a lottery and the Piazza Del Campo either explodes with excitement or sighs with exasperation depending on the skill of the horse. Here is a picture of the best horse of the group which went to the lucky Selva (or Forest) contrada, which my host mother is a part of. Needless to say, she is very excited about this year.


The contradas will also be looking for the best, most experienced jockeys to compete for honor...e molti soldi. Last night I also got to watch la prima prova, or the first trial race. It was amazing. The competing contradas come in their groups singing songs with gusto to show that they are united and ready to win. The horses are difficult to control in a place filled with people singing and shouting, but it's necessary to get the race started. Our inside man Antonio is in the Nicchio (Shell) contrada. He got us tickets to all of the most important events that are coming up on Tuesday and is kindly answering my incessant questioning. But unfortunately, right now it doesn't look like Nicchio has such a great horse and we're all a little worried about that. Anyway, immediately after the race is over the contradas storm the track to receive their horse and sing for the rest of the Piazza Del Campo as they leave. Here's a video of it, but make sure to turn up the volume so you can hear them sing their sweet little militaristic hearts out.



This morning I also started my service. I've been placed in the clothing distribution site for local immigrants. The room is so small and it seems that there is always a lot of work to do. I started at 8:30 when it opened and didn't stop until it closed at 11. The people that I'm working with are nice, but again, don't speak any English. My ear is getting used to the Italian, but my brain is taking a little longer. I'm able to understand enough to get by, but sometimes I'm still lost, but that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Basically, we go through the clothes that are donated and throw out the ratty and stained clothes, but at the same time people are filling bags to the brim. The time went by so quickly, but everything is pretty hectic. The room is small--about 12 x 12--and the perimeter is just shelves filled with clothes and there's a big table in the middle leaving about 4 feet around. There are anywhere between 5-7 people in there at a time all grabbing and shifting. There is a window but everyone's sweating and the body odor can get really overwhelming. Did I mention that it is in the 90s these days? This morning at 7:15 it was already 86 degrees. Fun stuff!

But that's enough for now. I have to get on to my first Italian class which I've been looking forward to, but I can tell now that it's not going to be pretty. Later is the second trial race and probably homework. Hope all is well!

Sono a Siena finalmente!

The flights were long and exhausting, but no matter because now I am here, taking solace in the shade of a small table while enjoying a bruscutto sandwich and a glass of zingy white wine (Don't worry Dad--it's small!) with a wonderful group of women. My program is so small. Ci sono cinque ragazze e uno uomo si chiama Dan. (There are five young women and a man named Dan.) Dan's a computer teacher at an English college in Vienna and he certainly adds some flavor to our group. Cathy, Jaimie, Kelly, and Melissa are wonderful! They are such interesting characters and we are all from different parts of the country, but it's so much fun to be with them--even when we are in class. There haven't been many because the festivities of the big horse race of the year (which is a GROSS understatement) are coming. I will update you on that as the events occur. They actually start early tomorrow with the choosing of the horses and I am quite excited to be a part of these events.

I'm struggling to think of what to tell you because SO much has happened in one day! My host parents are wonderful. They are an older couple and only speak Italian. Kelly lives in the room next to me, which is nice, especially when we both get lost in their rapid Italian speech. My first experience at the homestay was a bit rough. I came in alone and didn't understand my host mother. She got really frustrated which was rough and slightly heartbreaking, but it's so much better now. I can't believe how quickly my Italian is coming back and what's more is that even now it's growing! I'm happy to report that Cathy and I are getting special instruction because we are awesome Italian goddesses. (I know that's not true. I should be much better dopo quattro semestri, but Cathy's awesome! Her father's Italian and they come here every two years. I can't compete with that--although she hasn't had much instruction, but I hold my own.) Luciana, my host mother, and I are getting along wonderfully and I'm guessing that I'm understanding about 40-60% of what she says, depending on the conversation of course. Yesterday we talked about salad spinners and salad scissors so I can't be too bad, right?

Last night we went to the Piazza del Campo like the rest of the youth of Siena to celebrate being here. We shared a bottle of wine and met, well, quite a few people. A fight broke out in the middle of the Campo and happened all around us. It happened like this: A guy just whalloped another. Crazy girls were in the middle of it. Some guys tried to break it up. The police came. Those involved ran--except for one guy who had to uphold his face with the couple hundred people in the piazza at this time. I'm not sure what happened, but honestly, it was HILARIOUS! Apparently fighting is pretty regular and certainly was a form of entertainment for the night. Also, I had my first experience with the Italian men question. Or rather, my friends "experienced" and I dealt with whatever that meant, to not go into too much detail. I am happy to report that my group got home safely and that when this harmless, but awfully annoying group of guys just got to be too much I gave a single, intense look, a "Va via!" to one in particular, and...they left immediately. I was pretty proud of myself!

Thanks for all of your messages. I love to read them. Keep them coming! I'll update you as soon as possible. A dopo! (Until later!)

A domani!

Here I am just a few hours away from the beginning of my trip and I can hardly believe that it is actually happening. I have been saying that my summer plans are to go to Siena for so long that it didn’t seem possible that I would ever get there. As the interval has gotten shorter and shorter, I found myself scurrying around to make sure that I had everything in order to leave. Let me tell you, it’s fairly difficult to predict everything that I will need and anticipate all the challenges that may arise while I’m abroad. Thankfully, I was heartily prepared by the International Studies Office and il miglior professore Massimo.

Still, I must admit that I am a wee bit nervous. This is the first time that I am traveling alone and I am feeling a lot of weight from the responsibility--which has chosen to reside in my temples and has given me an awful headache. I am quite used to fitting into one of two roles: the caretaker or the caregiver. Without anyone to distract me I will have to be focused on myself. Now this may be part of the point of studying abroad, but depending on what you know about me this may seem like an extremely simple task. Those of you who call me “Mama Sam” should chat with my mother and convince her otherwise. (I love you, Mom!)

I received an email from la mia cugina Gianna asking that I let her know when I will arrive in Rome, but all of my replies have bounced back. I suppose that I will just call her when I get there, but it is a little upsetting that I will have to wait to meet her!

Before I sign off I have to tell you about the going away gift that my neighbors Garry, Samantha, Connor, and Josh gave me—it was a goodie bag for the trip complete with 2 magazines, great snacks, and a St. Christopher medal. I had been fretting about what jewelry I should wear since I know that the valuables should remain at home, but I think this is perfect! I’ve linked information about St. Christopher, but the short story is that he is—or was (see the link)—the patron saint of travelers. And soon that’ll be me! Thanks for all of your support. A presto!

Fifty-two days and couting....

I couldn't help but get started on my blog! I see this as just one more thing that gets me closer to Italy. I am right in the middle of exams and of course I need something to help me procrastinate just a little bit more. I think creating the blog and writing this should cut out another 45 minutes when I'm finished. :)

But seriously--I am really, really excited about getting to Italy. So much has already happened. I chose to go with a program in Siena, Italy through the International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership. With this program I will be living with an Italian family and taking some classes. One class that I am enrolled in is a full immersion Italian class (where we can only speak Italian) and another class. The second one is titled "Service in Contemporary Italian Society" and I will be completing it in conjunction with the 15-20 hours per week of volunteer service in the community. When I was looking for a program, I wanted to be something more than una turista o una studentessa americana. I feel like this experience will give me a unique look at Italy.

I have also had a stroke of luck that has allowed me to extend my stay. Despite the best arguments I gave i miei genitori, I couldn't convince them that it was a good idea to let me stay alone in Siena for a week or two after my program ended...but to my great fortune Mom suggested that I get in touch with "the family." I use quotation marks because I have never met these family members and am still bound to the American idea of family. But everyone has been so helpful and especially kind as I figure things out. I'm ecstatic to be finding some more (distant) blood relatives. It will make this trip extra sweet!

Well, I think I've done enough procrastination for now. I need to pass my classes if I'm going to study abroad! Until next time....