Settling down

Life has started settling down here in Italy but not completely. We sure are kept busy these first couple weeks. This past week I had stuff going on Tues-Sat from 9 am to 6 pm unless we got done early. We've been doing leadership seminars, a low ropes course, travel orientation, as well as a global cultural comparisons lecture. Some days were more boring than others.

The ropes course was actually a lot of fun, although I’m a little beat up from it. We had to climb the wall as a group and I smacked my leg on the top trying to get on the platform while being pulled up. There’s nothing wrong with a few bruises, right? The ropes allowed us to be outside and it was a very nice day when my group got to go. Unfortunately, the last group had rain so they had to do it all in the gym.

The global cultural comparisons seminar was also fun. First it compared what Italians think of themselves and what others think of Italians and then how different countries ranked in items like pasta consumption, obesity, number of credit cards, divorce rate, etc. Some of those things were quite surprising. Belgium has a divorce rate of 76%, I thought the US was bad around 50%. The little things that you just never learn… It also talked about how Italians and Germans are CRAZY drivers. The lecturer was talking about when he lived in Germany and he would be going 100 and people would pass him and he’d always wish one day, he could be that person too. Well his friend had a car that was allowed to go fast (Something with the tires) and they were going about 200, and STILL getting past. After that, he decided he didn’t need to be one of those guys.

I also learned I am in one of the wealthiest areas in Italy, the Veneto region. The rich Italian with a Vineyard and a place in the Alps is actually quite possible here… Still not happening, I just found it funny that I am in probably one of the only areas where that image is possible. I am told to go to Asolo, the grad campus, and car watch as million dollar cars like Bugattis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, etc. drive through. The Italians don’t go to University in this area as they will make more money with their family's businesses than if they went through years of schooling.

It thunder stormed on both Friday and Saturday and I thoroughly enjoyed them! We were inside both days anyways so I didn’t really mind. Today it is still raining, though. Not what I wanted… I was either going to go climb Mount Grappa or go to a Sunday market in a neighboring town where they basically turn their whole town into a market. The market is open every Sunday, so I will just go another weekend instead of doing it in the rain today. Instead, I slept in until 10 which was nice and now maybe I’ll get some reading down before classes again.

The Italians are supposed to get here today, as they start school tomorrow. I’m in an all American dorm I believe so I won’t really being seeing them. The other dorm that a few people are in will have Italians all over the place… We set up a projector that one of the students brought in the hallway of the other dorm last night and watched Wanted (It was cold and drizzly so no one really wanted to go out). So who knows if that will be okay to do once the Italians get here.

The weather is supposed to improve again for a few more weeks, at least until after our first travel break. Hopefully that’s all goes through, as I will then have nice weather in Spain and Portugal!

Hope all is well with everyone in the States! I am off to lunch.

My first view of Venice!!

Main intersection of Paderno del Grappa (Campus is in the middle of pic. Bank and ATM on the left)

Main Building (Office, TV room, large lecture hall)
There are three other buildings besides this one that we use on campus and basically that's all of campus.

My dorm hall (SGP)

Campus Courtyard