Finally pasta!

Today was a pretty normal day of classes and such. Had some Italian this morning where we looked at clothing and color words because today was market day in Cagli. Because Cagli is tiny (only around 4,500 people!), there isn’t a ton of shopping. On Market Day all kinds of vendors come and set up little stands where people can buy…just about anything. In effect, Market Day brings the mall to Cagli. We didn’t get to experience it too much today because we were in class basically the whole time, but we will another day. There are Market Days every Wednesday and Saturday. After Italian, we talked about past stories a little bit to help us with ideas for our own stories and then had a photo class. We got a quick run-down of everything you need to know to work a digital SLR and what makes good composition. We had a quick break for lunch, and then came back for more Italian—some food words—and an Intercultural Communication class. Both quite interesting. Most of the stuff we talked about today in Intercultural was stuff that I had already talked about in previous classes, but I think I’m really going to enjoy that portion of the class time—which happens to be the majority, so yay! Interneted for a little while after class, then took a trip to the big supermarcato in New Cagi. I found myself in dire need of a shopping trip today, as I didn’t eat out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It was kind of fun walking around, but honestly, it was pretty much like any American grocery story. This chain—Conad—was the same grocery store we stopped in on Sunday night in Rome. I found some pear yogurt that I can’t wait to try! Vino is also CRAZY inexpensive. Even what seemed to be the better wines were only a couple Euros. We walked back home and then I made dinner with Victoria and Charlotte. Yum! We made pasta with garlic and olive oil, sautéed onions (chipolla), a little bit of vino rosso, tomatoes (pomodoro), freshly grated parmigiano and I put in some prosciutto. So good! Everyone was telling us how good the house smelled from our food. We also sautéed asparagus (asparago) in olive oil and red wine vinegar for a side. Tasty! After dinner we went to the piazza to meet Kevin and Matt to get some gelato. We ended up sitting and talking for a while because Dan struck up a conversation with Romano—one of the locals. He was so nice and really easy to talk to! He knows a little English, so he could help us out a little and kept his sentences nice and simple for us. I was surprised by how much I was able to pick up of what he was saying. Most of the time Dan or John translated for us, but I found myself often not needing the translation. He also speaks French apparently, so that’s also exciting! After we got our gelato, Romano invited us over to his house to see his garden and his new kitten. The kitten was SO cute! I wish I had pictures, but alas. It was the tinniest little grey thing—probably only about ten inches long—with bright green eyes. Que bello! Romano also invited us to come back for vino sometime when it is light out—what a nice man. Speaking of cats, the one that Daniella, my landlord until tomorrow, is so cute! He's (or she?) is so sweet and will just come in to our apartment through the back door.

We're moving tomorrow, though...I'm not exactly sure where. Hopefully Casa Lapis with the rest of the girls! I think we may go hiking in the mountains after classes sometime soon. A group of people went up there today and said it was incredible! I would love to see it! But for now, it’s time for bed. Buena notte e a demani!