Wednesday, May 27 – Ovada

Stefano was our host for Wednesday. He was the team leader for the Italian GSE to Northeast Iowa. He let us sleep in a little, understanding how tiring the trip can get. We drove to Ovada and started off at the local elementary school. It was a very interesting visit. It is a very small town with a small school. As the kids do study English the teachers were delighted to have us as visitors for even the very short time we were in each room. Delightful! We were also joined for the day by Carolina, a team member of the GSE team we exchanged with.

Kelli and flat Stanley with students at the Ovada elementary school.

G is for Gatto (translation: C is for Cat)

Lunch was at Stefano’s family home with a few friends. It has been in the Piola family since the 16th century. It is a lovely building and so interesting (as citizens of a pretty new country) to see the accumulated history (with modern comforts!) held in a house that old still functioning as a house.

View across the street from Stefano's (protected by barbed wire!)

Stefano's kitchen.

Valeria, Josefina, and Stefano at lunch.

Kelli, Gianni, Ruth, and Carolina at lunch.

That afternoon we went to nearby Acque Terme, a hot-springs / spa town. We wandered through the quaint streets and shops, stopping at a gelateria with outdoor seating. The gelato were AMAZING!!!! You’ll have to look at the photos!

Looking at the springs in Acque Terme.

Me and Kelli in front of one of the HOT springs.

The group on the streets of Acque Terme.

My Gelato! With sculpted pears and bananas.

Stephanie, Carolina, and Kelli on the bus.

After a brief stop back at Stefano’s to relax and change we headed to what I can only describe as a villa for the club meeting. We started on the rooftop terrace for appetizers, then moved downstairs for dinner. The meeting had been moved from its normal evening to Wednesday so we could be a part of it. The member sitting next to me kept people updated on the score of the Barcelona/Manchester United match that had kept a few members away. After our presentation (the short version) we headed “home!” (late!)

Jim's nifty new Italian shoes.

Kelli lounges in a modern chair in Stefano's mostly not-modern sitting room.

The villa where the club meeting and dinner was held.

View from the villa's terrace, with the bus in the foreground.

Stefano leads the meeting.