"God Opens a Window"

"God Opens a Window"
Oppede Le Vieux, Provence, France

Friday, October 17, 2008

Summer 2008

Siena
and Cecily (la mia madre)

I return to this splendid little Italian city as often as time and money allow. In honor of her 80th birthday, my brothers and I sent our Mother to join me for my final week.

The magnificent Piazza del Campo.

Alterno Borghi--il mio ex padrone di casa, insegnante di pronuncia,
e un buon amico. Veramente, un personaggio!
The splendid apartment owned by Pino Pagetti.
Ever share a room with your 80 year old mother?
I have!The courtyard of the church next door.Like all the Zerbes, Mother has the "gift of gab."
Here is the barista she befriended...and he speaks almost no English!
Riccardo, il proprietario di "Il Cavaliere Errante."
"La pizza da vince"...buonissima! "I have to eat all this?"The view from the outdoor seating.These guys always made me feel so welcome.Another splendid restaurant that I pass daily. Haven't tried it yet.
At La Scuola Leonardo da Vinci.

La mia insegante: Sylvia.
She'll hate this picture! She's actually a bright and wonderful teacher!Altero's very popular lesson on pronunciation.Despite speaking almost no Italian, Mother participated fully!
Way to go, Mother!
San Gimignano.
Mother and I had a wonderful excursion here.

The Italians always knew we were Mother and son.
They'd point to our faces and say, "Siete uguale! (You are the same!).
Our final day in Rome's Piazza Navona.

Spoleto


La Basilica di San Salvatore

This is one of the oldest churches in Europe, built from borrowed
components of a Roman temple.Ryan in wonder.

Sandra Panetti

Our dear friend Sandra runs the cutest enoteca in Spoleto. Ryan and I were there for her first night and went back every night thereafter until we left, bringing new people to her establishment each time. She always treated us right!
Night.

Ever the night owl, I do love Spoleto by night.
Trevi.

Nearby, a splendid villa in the town of Trevi--Spoleto Study Abroad's probable new homebase!
My apartment.
Spendid views and sights from a simple life.

Some Excursions.

Firenze.
The panorama from atop the Duomo.The streets and sites of Firenze.
Orvieto.
Roma.
My favorite place in Rome: The Pantheon--once a Roman temple, but now a church. It was saved from destruction only because the church understood its architectural value.

Part of the Coliseum.
Beautiful streets and the remarkable light of Italy.The Roman Forum.An Italian summer night and moon.

L'ultimo giorno a Spoleto!
Saying goodbye to my wonderful students and colleagues.
And the Spoleto Study Abroad Faculty!The view from school. What a way to go to work!