tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-654856087627460162012-02-16T17:50:43.523-06:00This blog documents the Rotary Group Study Exchange team from District 5970 in Northeast Iowa to District 2030 in Northwest Italy in May and June of 2009. Enjoy!Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.comBlogger351100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-91009328153869340702009-08-07T23:38:00.001-05:002009-08-07T23:40:36.686-05:00

Well, the blog is finally typed up from my meticulous journaling during the trip. Now that I typed this with plenty of time to focus on it, it has grown very detailed, but that is how our trip was – intense, full, and informative.A few of the posts were originally written and posted on the specified dates, the majority of them were written very recently (July!). I’ll note the originals.I

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-5823715737721075712009-08-07T23:31:00.002-05:002009-08-07T23:38:36.827-05:00

Welcome to our travel blog!Hello! Welcome to District 5970's Group Study Exchange (GSE) blog!We depart for District 2030 in Northeastern Italy today!I wanted to have an intro here before we get on the road so you'd know you are in the right spot when you stop by.I do not know how often I’ll be able to update, but I'll do my best so you can find out what we've been up to.One week ago our journey

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-31139731529385622042009-08-07T22:54:00.008-05:002009-08-07T23:31:56.219-05:00

Tuesday, May 12, 2009 (an original post!)Siamo ArrivatoWe are here! It is the end of the second full day.This is not the only blog we have going and as the others have computers along they have already been updating theirs. I'll link to them in posts so you can follow us there too, if you are interested.====================================Saturday/Sunday, May 9/10 - Flights and the first

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-31275267340568583832009-08-07T21:45:00.009-05:002009-08-07T22:54:08.147-05:00

After a morning informational meeting with Serge, Charrère, Fabio, and Giuseppe, we went to Forte di Bard, which was unfortunately and unexpectedly closed. It is still impressive from the outside though. We may go back yet this week. It overlooks Valle d'Aosta and protected and charged Crusaders traveling through the valley.A fantastic lunch was followed by a drive up to Cogne, a high Alpine

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-87589381539303250032009-08-07T20:21:00.009-05:002009-08-07T21:33:25.977-05:00

Today we went up to Courmayeur by Mount Blanc. It was a rainy, cloudy day and we never saw more than some of the base of Mount Blanc, but the area was still amazing. Alpine architecture in Courmayeur. We toured the Grivel factory/museum of the history and art of crampons and mountain climbing equipment. We walked around town with wonderful hosts from the Rotary club and had a personal tour of the

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-85364181669172959472009-08-07T20:19:00.000-05:002009-08-07T20:21:12.562-05:00

Steph and I (Katherine) are at the Università della Valle d'Aosta. We have had a wonderful guide/informant at the university (he is currently giving an exam) and attended a French lecture on didactics. We will soon go upstairs to see the other campus buildings.Jim and Kelli are at an elementary school while Serge and Ruth wander around town somewhere. We have a beautiful afternoon to look forward

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-16910950424581777412009-08-07T19:48:00.007-05:002009-08-07T21:45:03.082-05:00

(written: Monday, May 18, 2009)Buona sera!We are in Torino. We will be here all week (our longest stop) as we visit Torino, surrounding towns, and attend the district conference this coming weekend. Yesterday was our first free day. Saturday evening was free as well, it was a nice break. I'd better go check where I left off before continuing!For now I'm just going to recount our days, but I

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-32723655338163279842009-08-07T19:40:00.003-05:002009-08-07T19:48:42.484-05:00

Jim was granted an audience with the Mayor of Aosta, so we did not attend the planned morning activities in Biella, making it there a bit before lunch. We wound our way out of the valley to Biella (spectacular views, even with some rain) and met with our Rotarian and Rotaract hosts for the day.Ruth and Jim with the Mayor of Aosta.Looking over Valle d'Aosta from the road to Biella.A meadow

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-43370932737791683292009-08-07T17:49:00.009-05:002009-08-07T19:40:45.016-05:00

The rest of the recounts here were written back in the USA (in July! – I’ve stayed busy this summer!)We first drove and hiked up to the old part of town, with a wonderful view of the rest of the city. Overlooking the city were many locks of love – padlocks with lovers names written on them, attached to a chain in that lovely spot, the key then thrown away to symbolize their everlasting love. Very

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-32348275732951974792009-08-07T17:22:00.004-05:002009-08-07T17:38:57.602-05:00

Our drive to Torino (we departed at 9 am) was very rainy. We were on the look out for rice paddies during the drive, having seen them at a glance earlier and not quite believing that there were a lot of rice paddies in Italy (it is a pretty big crop in some areas!). The looping drive through the crowded city streets let us see markets, shops, and some streets with crests and flags strung up to

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-75402945393843475252009-08-07T16:42:00.008-05:002009-08-07T17:21:58.765-05:00

We awoke ready for a day at the lakes. And it was our first truly sunny day! Perfect pairing! We were scheduled to go to Lago d’Orta, and Lago Maggiore (one of Ruth’s Italy checklist locations) was not far away, so we went to both.Lago d’Orta is my type of lake (versus Lago Maggiore – a major tourist destination surrounded by 4 and 5 star hotels and full of buses of day-tourists that we briefly

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-25570020798910891472009-08-07T16:30:00.003-05:002009-08-07T16:42:01.198-05:00

Our first completely free day. Because of this I can only speak to what I did that day! You’ll have to contact the others if you really must know what they did (although Kelli’s blog probably has some information on it too).I had seen signs and brochures for the Fiera Internazionale dei Libri – the International Book Fair – in Torino occurring WHILE WE WERE THERE!!!! In case you don’t know me

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-11298463245471139302009-08-07T15:46:00.005-05:002009-08-07T16:29:50.178-05:00

We set off in the bus for Saluzzo in the morning. As we got near the town there were many rows of trees with netting over them. We later learned they were apricots and peaches. The nearby shorter trees without netting were kiwis (which are apparently heartier while growing, so don’t need the nets). It is a fruit area. Our tour of Saluzzo was mostly outside, as Monday is a closed day for most

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-38389609498624944102009-08-07T11:57:00.008-05:002009-08-07T15:46:28.769-05:00

We left in the morning knowing we would not be coming back until after a Rotary dinner that evening (meaning not even getting on the road to come back until at least 11/11:30pm). The drive to Carignano was not long out of Torino. Our hosts for the day were Carlo, the president of the club, and Albino, the upcoming president. Two men with very different personalities – which made for a fun day. We

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-65692766343728249512009-08-07T11:20:00.005-05:002009-08-07T11:57:19.312-05:00

We were on the road at 9am for Pinerolo. We were dropped off at a small shop, greeted by many club members and a couple of Rotaract members, including Marco, who was a member of District 2030’s GSE team to Iowa, and presented with small gift bags of local food specialties.Approaching Pinerolo...complete with road construction and McDonald's...is this Italy or the USA? : )We split up into cars for

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-32841055529562395712009-08-07T10:21:00.005-05:002009-08-07T11:20:53.056-05:00

We’d been looking forward to this day from the beginning as a visit to Martini & Rossi was on the schedule for the day, so we set off in the morning, excited. We drove over one of the small mountains surrounding Torino to Chieri.We picked up our host for the day, the club’s former secretary, and Erika, an Italian who has been living in England for eight years and served as a translator and host.

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-69256505366038261632009-08-07T09:57:00.004-05:002009-08-07T10:21:01.964-05:00

This was our second fully free day! Time to sleep in! I awoke to the sounds of a vacuum in the hall (I used my ‘do not disturb’ sign). Again, I cannot speak for what the rest of the team did. Try Kelli’s blog for info!I set off to a French bookstore (I had it marked on a map and was looking for a couple of specific books), winding around wherever looked interesting (and to check out a few

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-58502497539868836802009-08-06T23:01:00.007-05:002009-08-06T23:40:46.588-05:00

We rode out to Lingotto, the conference location, and met up with Fabio, Giuseppe, and Stefano (our district organizers and the Team Leader who led the Italian group in Iowa). After checking in and greeting everyone we joined the presentations in the conference hall.Me, Jim, and Stephanie at the congress entrance. Ready to start the programs!District Governor Ermano Bassi gave his welcome,

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-76147592690429353022009-08-06T22:25:00.004-05:002009-08-06T23:01:04.668-05:00

Although the District Conference continued on Sunday, we were not expected to attend as we were transferring to our next home-base that day. We had free time in the morning before we set off. I used a laundromat for the first time (it had been hand washing in sinks and bidets up to that point!). The nearby laundromat was closed on Sunday, so I hiked a ways to a confirmed open one (confirmed by

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-89870450691677220802009-08-06T20:46:00.004-05:002009-08-06T22:25:49.447-05:00

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

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-17295102692894604452009-08-06T19:41:00.005-05:002009-08-06T20:44:35.602-05:00

We began with breakfast outside again. We knew it would be a long day with a Gala at the end. We arrived in Gavi and were met by the president of the club and her English speaking friends Sally and Susan. We took a circuitous route through some streets, looking at a church and architecture, before arriving at the small Libarna museum. Gavi sits on what was once the Roman crossroads town of

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-52895889017179210492009-08-06T19:04:00.005-05:002009-08-06T19:41:51.970-05:00

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

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-89716226416635188802009-08-06T17:12:00.006-05:002009-08-06T18:49:00.791-05:00

Having had long days and late nights all week, we were tired! Uccio, the owner of the magnificent house we stayed in all week, was our host for the day, being that his club, the Bra club, was in charge. They let us sleep in. Then we saw Alba with Giova, the woman who had joined us for dinner our first night staying in Castagnito. A tour guide by profession (usually to Libya and Egypt and Middle

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-51717835698952132652009-08-06T16:30:00.005-05:002009-08-06T17:12:41.770-05:00

Packing everything back into the bus and driving down to the coast – the Mediterranean! After we had been on the road a bit we made a pit stop. As we pulled in Gianni pointed out that two of his buses were there. We briefly met his son and another driver, who were taking two buses of Torino school kids to the Genova aquarium. That Friday began a holiday weekend, so there was a traffic jam as we

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-28527162823629175182009-08-03T23:26:00.007-05:002009-08-04T00:32:34.900-05:00

We had to pack up and load the van before departing for Cinque Terre as we would not be returning for long when we returned. Our Rotarian host for the day came with us from the hotel. We stopped at Cinque Terre’s small food product production center (that is soon moving into one of the 5 towns) and were told about the national park. The Cinque Terre are farming villages more than fishing villages

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-41210659880065455322009-08-03T22:34:00.006-05:002009-08-03T23:26:34.554-05:00

We had the morning free. The hotel was interesting – unique layouts and room numbering. Very family friendly and a family-run business. Jim attended church with Bruna. We then took the bus to Santa Margharita’s Tennis Club. We thought we were late for a match, but it didn’t end up happening because of weather. We enjoyed a buffet lunch in the company of Rotarians and Tennis club members. I think

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-61343822302496930562009-08-03T21:31:00.006-05:002009-08-03T22:34:22.489-05:00

Led again by Bruna and Marco (the architects), we started off at an ancient church and palace. The church was stark, but stunning, the outside striped with its stone. The palace was half museum and shop, half privately owned – that part falling apart and pigeon filled. There is an annual festival there, with re-enactments and period costuming. We were told about the history that influences the

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-68685343588632449912009-08-02T23:43:00.005-05:002009-08-03T00:08:39.608-05:00

Working with Gianni we decided to leave Lavagna around noon, hoping the weather would allow swimming in the sea in the morning. It did! What salty fun! I swam, not interested in getting sun, then returned to the hotel to read. Kelli and Stephanie sunned on the beach mostly and stayed out much longer. On my walk back I bumped into both Jim and Ruth (separately) taking strolls along the sunny

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-82714180683907164012009-08-02T23:38:00.002-05:002009-08-04T13:29:53.164-05:00

Mi DispiaceSorry! I hope you are all enjoying Kelli's much-more-oftenly-updated blog! Internet access is hard to come by, especially without a computer of my own!What I am coming here to tell you is: once we return to the States I will complete this for all of you who cannot hear the scoop in person from one of us team members. I will add photos and a complete summary of the trip day by day, but

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-2478762346017726622009-08-02T23:10:00.003-05:002009-08-02T23:37:25.928-05:00

We picked up our host waiting outside the convent gate - Michela, a conductor. He gave us a tour of the Paganini Conservatory of Music. He was a wonderful, energetic, informative, and thoughtful guide! At the conservatory we moved up and down the many staircases, seeing the facilities and listening in on flute and piano lessons.Piano lessons at the Paganini Conservatory of Music We then returned

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-89665132087398205092009-08-02T22:12:00.006-05:002009-08-04T13:35:15.373-05:00

This morning we drove out to west Genova and picked up our host, Paula, the secretary of two of the Genova clubs for 25 years. The bus worked its way up a hill to iit, a neuroscience and robotics research laboratory. It was incredibly interesting, although technical at times. We saw robots and nanometer-level images of neurons and synapses.iit ad poster. All their work is available to anyone -

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-20175896092823916482009-08-02T18:58:00.006-05:002009-08-02T20:54:04.849-05:00

Talking with Paula and Gianni the previous day, we ended up cancelling the morning events for time to pack. Lunch was on the Palazzo Ducale’s terrace again, this time it was a small club meeting (although shorter, with no presentations, simply matters of business). Michele joined us again, ready with the most thoughtful gifts of an original piece of children's music for Kelli, our elementary

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-151155628789113792009-08-02T17:23:00.008-05:002009-08-02T18:57:44.084-05:00

We had to get going on a schedule as there was a school event on the grounds of the Marcellina the next morning and the bus had to get packed and off the grounds before the event started. We made our way to Milano and our hotel for one night, near a station that had shuttles to the airport. Ruth, Stephanie, and Kelli had purchased the last tickets to Benjamin Britton’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-77101282007370547762009-08-02T17:08:00.005-05:002009-08-02T18:55:20.073-05:00

We lugged our bags to the shuttle stop and got right on one.Stephanie and Ruth moving along with their stuffed luggage.The airport had a few confusing moments (the electronic check-in didn’t work too well, everyone needed assistance from the staff). I just made it under the weight limits (even with all the books I had!). Ruth wasn’t so lucky, but knew it would be coming. Jim didn’t make it at

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65485608762746016.post-62727264213591048922009-08-02T17:02:00.002-05:002009-08-02T17:07:10.494-05:00

So, thanks for reading about our travels! I hope you got something out of it. And, hey! If you managed to read this far, please comment on the blog and let me know what you thought about the trip, the blog, and why you dropped by to read this in the first place!Thanks for reading!I hope you have had or can have such an amazing experience in your lifetime.Arrivederci e grazie.-Katherine

Katya42http://www.blogger.com/profile/17142760121978328821noreply@blogger.com0