Last weekend the weather was really horrible. Let me tell you that after three weeks of pure sun I had loads of difficulties with excepting such a change. However, I wanted to take advantage of my stay here, so I decided to do some sightseeing. »The more the merrier«, some say and so I invited my friend Alex to join me. We went to Monte dei Cappuccini which is not found far from the city center. Besides the church of Santa Maria del Monte, National Mountain Museum can also be found there. The thing I liked most was the sight that was offered from the top of the museum (the rest I didn't really find that interesting ;)
The rest of the day I spent preparing for the lessons that I had in the coming week. However, when my flatmate then invited me to join her and her boyfriend for dinner I just couldn't say no. We went to Eataly (I just LOVE the name ;), a place where you can do both, try different food and also buy the ingredients (it serves as a restaurant and a kind of market at the same time). It was a true cultural experience as the food offered there is supposed to be genuine Italian (oranges are from Sicily etc). As you can imagine the prices are sky high. So I'm guessing it was my first and last time in Eataly ;)
On Monday the other flatmate and me have decided to visit the biggest shopping center around (Le Gru). There wasn't really anything special we needed to buy, we just considered it to be a nice way of spending the afternoon. And it was. Even though at the end of the day I was tired as hell, it was worth it!
In the evenings I like to prepare for the lessons that I have the next day.. but then, you cannot only study, can you? ;) There's time to work and there's time to have fun.
On Tuesday afternoon I had some extra lessons (Corso Sostegno) with the students who are facing problems with their English. I find it really great to be given the opportunity of presenting English to those who in most cases dislike it. It's a very big responsibility but at the same time I am given the option to let the students know that English in fact can be- fun! And most of all, very useful. I hope I did make a change. I certainly did do my best.
Even though at the end of these afternoon courses I get really tired, there was something I just had to do that Tuesday; my friend Crystal was returning home after five months that she's spent here. We meet up, went to apperitivo for one last time and them parted (hopefully not for good ;).
On Wednesdays I usually join one professor of TOK (Theory of Knowledge) and then spend a couple of hours with another professor of English. My duty is to get the students talking. I am doing it by asking questions and expecting them to actually answer ;) I've been quite an optimist so far, as I hope I did make a tiny difference (some students who had problems with expressing themselves before actually utter a word or two when I'm around ;)
In the evening, it was fun time ;)
Together with some friends who I met at the Italian language course I met up in the evening. The plan was to go to a club which is very popular among Erasmus students. It was certainly the right decision! It was a blast! ;) It gave me the opportunity of re-experiencing my Erasmus life. But.. let me tell you a secret. I was kind of happy to return to my »old«, Comenius life. Life, in which people actually have to work and when partying 3 times a week is just not an option. Well, I just realised I'm getting old ;)
Friday was nice, too. One special event made it even nicer. Do you want to hear more?;) Well, a friend of mine (Kate) paid me a visit and we decided to make the most out of the afternoon. Each month one of the best ice-cream shops prepares a new flavour of the month. Last time that we went there was in February. This Friday was already March.. you get it? ;) We just couldn't resist trying out the new flavour. And I'm happy we didn't miss it- peach with chocolate proved to be an excellent choice!
The week actually got better and better/tastier and tastier. Let me explain! Friday, the 6th of March is also the date when the traditional 10-days Turin Chocolate festival (CioccolaTO) began. On Saturday I went to see if they have anything that might interest me. Both, me and my flatmate were more than impressed! Yeah, it did interest me ;) All those different flavours, shapes, colours, scents.. I'm sure I'll go there again!
My flatmate and meIn the afternoon one of my students has invited me to join her for a walk around the city. She's a native from Turin and as I find her knowledge of this city so priceless, I could not refuse her offer. She took me to a place, saying it was there that the best ice-cream is sold. I agreed to go there, but to be honest I was rather sceptical about »being the best one around« part. After trying out that on Friday I was almost certain I've already discovered the absolute winner. However, my assumptions proved to be incorrect! Riva Reno in the center of Turin is, undoutedly, THE BEST ICE-CREAM I've ever tried (well, until I find the next shop ;) By the way.. thanks Claire, I really appreciate you taking me there ;)
When I woke up this morning I was really glad to discover that the weather is sunny again. As I'm the sort of person who likes to discover new things I decided to take a trip. Together with my »travelling companion« Alex we went on a near-by hill to see the famous Basilica di Superga. It was spectacular! It is actually very much reminiscent of St Paul's cathedral in London. There was one more thing there that really left me touched. Almost 60 years ago a plane carrying the Grande Torino football club crashed into the hillside. Everybody on board died. Now, only a stone plaque and hundreds of fans that go there are commemorating this tragedy. Let the photos tell more..
When returning home I was starving, so I was happy that my flatmates and me had agreed to spend the afternoon preparing food together. It was a very nice way of socialising, and it also gave me the opportunity of actually learning a new thing. So now I'm almost an expert in making real Italian pizza and foccacio. Any questions? ;)
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