Getting settled and ready to teach
After meeting the Penn State students and getting them off to their apartments, I headed back over to Palazzo Rucellai and met some of the new people who work there -- Jeanette and Holly. Because the school has expanded to a whole new floor, they needed at least one more, and it always seemed like the staff last year was working very hard, so I'm sure they will keep everyone busy.
Caterina and Serena came late in the day and both looked exhausted from going to and from the airport and standing out in the heat. But after some water they both looked a lot better and there were only three missing students (missed connection in Paris). Two of the three had contacted PR, but the third was not to be found. She had no phone, and then Andreina was on the phone with the mom and they figured out she had been rerouted separately from the other two and was "supposed" to be at the Florence airport. When the other two arrived in Florence, the third was found and all went to their apartments.
I had dinner with the three Trinity faculty (the two economists from last year plus a person teaching a biology class), Austin Jaffe from PSU and Andreina at the little restaurant near the school, La Spada. Good food and good conversation.
Friday was busy. I went early and stood in front of Cafe Amerini and looked for groups of lost American students with red folders and maps. Then I would point them down the alley to the entrance to the school. The last group arrived at 9:10 after getting lost and were so happy to finally be there. Lynne and her husband Martin also arrived after spending most of Thursday recovering from their long trip. They looked great and ready for adventure.
The staff had their orientation with the students in the morning and then sent them off for phones and lunch. I caught up with a few of my students and offered to walk with them to the phone store. I think I ended up with seven or eight. Walked by our old apartment from last year and down one block on G Verdi to the store. The owners were overwhelmed, but finally got phones for everyone. I went last, and then offered to show them a great place for lunch, the Oil Shoppe. They all got subs and were very happy.
We walked back and I walked them through the piazza around the Duomo (most had not been yet) and then back for the policeman's lecture to the students about how "Florence is not Disneyland." He was great, although I worried that he was never going to stop. Then the students got some tours and "emergency Italian" and then I met with them quickly and gave them their first assignment for Monday (nice guy).
Everyone was tired by now and we all went back to settle in a bit more. I had to swing by Corona's for a gelato (straciatella e fraggola) and then walked around a bit, getting to know what was in our new neighborhood. Had a nice dinner at Il Porscopino and then it was time to get some sleep.
