Monday, May 25 – Alessandria

Most of us took our breakfast outside, to eat it in the cool morning air overlooking the beautiful view. We got on the road to Alessandria where we met our Rotarian host for the day, Bart, at a market before driving to the music conservatory. We toured the building and observed a lesson. One singer we listened to was amazing. She is from Poland and is a “dramatic soprano” – fantastic! Full, huge voice with intricate control of dynamics at every note on the scale. Wow! We also met members of a group of American students doing a May Term there.

A trio rehearses in front of a grand organ at the conservatory.

This girl has one amazing voice!

After lunch at a nearby restaurant, we had some time in a market. Ruth bought a suitcase to hold some of the things we had been amassing. I considered buying something in the “in” purple color, but didn’t.

Lunch with Bart and Gianni.

Hanging out on an Alessandria bench.

Cute chipmunks, Chip & Dale, translated into Italian!

Next we went to Proplast, a consortium of businesses and universities that does research on plastics. We saw testing being done to make plastic bottles and other things made of plastic safer, stronger, cheaper, and environmentally friendly.

A tour of Proplast with a few Rotarians.

Before (in green) and some other after (in clear!)...testing the 2-liter bottles.

Bart gave us a relaxing break at his lovely apartment before the Rotary dinner and meeting. Dinner was at a restaurant with some of the Rotarians. The meeting was in another location, which shared a dark courtyard with the local hostel. We gave our full presentation and had a Q & A afterwards (which was completely unexpected as we hadn’t had one yet!)

Dinner with members of the Alessandria Rotary Club.

Jim in the doorway to the courtyard of the meeting place.

Fabio translates the clubs questions for Ruth.