Last few days in Florence
Wednesday morning Jeff had his last class with his students at Palazzo Rucellai. Beth and Alli came by to say their goodbyes to the staff -- really a wonderful group of people who run an excellent program, but most of all now they are our friends, and goodbyes are hard. But we know that next year they will be ready with warm smiles and "Ciao!"
We had to do our last lunch at the Oil Shoppe, for one of Alli's favorite spicy meatball subs. And dinner was at our favorite little place, Antellesi. Aldo, the waiter we've known both summers, will be spending the year on study abroad program from the University of Florence to Sweden. We're hoping maybe he'll find the chance to visit some of his family who live in New England.
Thursday morning was last minute packing and then collecting the bus to the Pisa airport. The girls got seats and waved goodbye, and Jeff was again in a big apartment by himself. Thursday was working on letters to all the companies that hosted the students and the beginning of grading all the projects. Dinner was a faculty affair with the director of the Institute, the other UConn faculty member who was teaching a writing class, and two faculty who are in Italy all year -- one Dutch and the other German. Great people and a wonderful dinner, in the crypt (that was part of the church next door) that was built (dug?) in 1000 AD.
Friday was reading and grading, so that everything would be finished when I left. A couple of last minute errands (including mailing back 15kg of books) and then a reception for the students before they left. Dinner was at a new place close to our apartment, Ciro and Sons Pizzeria. Pretty nice, pizza ala Napoli, including the anchovies (sorry Alli).
