Now about halfway through my semester in Italy, things have begun to slow down a bit and I have had more time to reflect on what I have seen and experienced, and what still lies ahead of me. With the winter weather upon us, I could not help but wish that I had spent more time outdoors while it was so gloriously warm in September and early October. I have never been a winter person, leaving my hometown of Boston for the more temperate weather of Nashville. Maybe it's the short walks to and from class that make the cold feel more bearable, but I have a feeling I might make it through this winter with a smile on my face.
I have come to appreciate the crisp, cold winter air and find a little hop in my step when I bury my nose into my winter scarf and dig my gloved fingers deep into my pockets. Despite the numerous rainy days Siena has seen, I have managed to see the positives in the dreary weather by the excitement of getting use out of the wellies I dragged all the way from United States, or the long black rain jacked my mother lent me for Italy and which now reminds me of her every time I put it on.

Before coming to Siena, I was told about a secret place where one could find refuge on cold winter nights, but also peace and new friends in the fall. Without giving away this place's identity, for it is best appreciated when one either hears about it from a friend or stumbles upon it independently, I will say that this hideaway, nestled sweetly in a corner of Siena, is on the city's most spectacular assets and truly embodies what is most special about Siena: it has the feeling of familiarity and comfort - even on your first visit - a social, friendly and energetic atmosphere, and tasty treats constantly awaiting your purchase. This magical place has also become my program-mates and my number one winter survival tactic.

There is still so much to see in Siena and Italy. Now that the warm days of fall are behind me, I must learn the importance of layering and perhaps giving in more frequently to a warm cappuccino between classes. I guess Joni Mitchell knew what she was talking about when she sang "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone." With still a month and a half left, my time in Italy is definitely not yet gone. But with a month and a half already past, I am realizing how important it is to make every day count.

Carey Spitzer

CET Siena Student Correspondent

Week 7: Eurochocolate Festival in Perugia and 350.org

CET Siena students enjoyed a busy schedule of activities during the weekend of October 16th - 18th; Saturday, October 17th brought the highly anticipated Eurochocolate Festival in Perugia. Set in the beautiful historic center of Perugia, this week-long event features a series of stands, shows, classes and tastings glorifying chocolate in all of its forms. Despite the unseasonably cold temperatures and the opening weekend crowds, the students were able to enjoy the city and, most importantly, eat A LOT of chocolate.
Sunday morning came quickly for those participating in the "ecopasseggiata" or "nature walk," but the 7am departure time did not deter us! We participated in the ecopasseggiata in recognition of the international campaign called 350.org, which seeks to address the disasterous effects of climate change (350 [parts per million] refers to the level that scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere) and invites groups around the world to organize onsite events as a sign of solidarity. Our brisk, breathtaking 10KM walk through the Tuscan countryside was a local event aimed at revealing some of the most beautiful hidden corners of the area and promoting appreciation and respect for Tuscany's natural wonders. After the walk, which we completed in just under two hours, we fed our appetites at the ecopasseggiata pasta party.

Also in recognition of the 350.org campaign, CET invited students and their Italian roommates to prepare a dinner together using only locally produced/organic products, and enjoy their healthy and environmentally conscientious meal by candlelight.

Students participating in study abroad have a fundamental role in reducing dramatic climate change and its effects. For more information on how to reduce your carbon footprint during your semester abroad, check out the following links:

www.350.org

www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap/sustainable/default.htm

Five hour hike through Cinque Terre, wine tasting in Montalcino, Grape Fesitval in Impruneta, exploring the ruins of Pompeii, sailing along the coast of Capri, getting a gondola ride for free...a month of intensive Italian at the Unversita' per Stranieri di Siena, living with four Italian roommates, participating in contrada festivals and dinners, going to Firenze to see the Gates of Paradise standing proudly before you...I sporadically have these epiphanies that life is truly a wonderful thing, and the adventures that studying abroad in Siena have brought have been high on my life list of things to do before I die.
Study abroad has become so common among college juniors that I felt like I was applying to colleges again this summer when every conversation included, "and will you be going abroad this year?" When I first prepared for my arrival in Italy, therefore, I felt like one of many. However, being in Siena, I continue to be challenged every day and every challenge has its reward. It takes curiosity, strength and endurance to just pick up and move your life to another country for a semester. And then, once you have done so, to go out, take risks and go on adventures to explore your country and all of the manifestations it has worked so hard to create over the years.

At this moment I am currently perched in my apartment in the early evening looking out my bedroom window at the brick buildings and red roofs that scatter the skyline of Siena. Having just returned from a weekend in the southern part of Italy, where we ate "the world's best pizza" in Naples, swam in the Grotto Azzurra in Capri, took a choo-choo train ride through Sorrento and explored the ruins of Pompeii, I am comforted by the sounds of what has become my community. The bell tower rings fearlessly and I am reminded from time to that I am not looking out at just any view, but at the famous Tuscan countryside so well known for its wines and vineyards. Despite my favorite country song playing from my computer, the sound I hear the most prominently is that of the Sienes families living in my apartment area's contrada, Lupa ("she-wolf").
Each part of Siena's center is divided into seventeen different contradas and these family ties are not to be messed with. Upon announcing the contrada that we are each a part of to a few Sienese students that we met, we were abruptly corrected - we do not belong to those contradas, they informed us, for we are not from Siena. Despite this, my roommate, Frances, and I purchased contrada flags later that week and they now hang proudly from our bedroom walls. We will be here for four months, and we feel like we are a part of the contrada, so it will be our little secret.

Week 4: L'Abbazia di San Galgano

Saturday, September 26th dawned as a picture perfect day for CET Siena's excursion to the San Galgano Abbey; the sky was clear and the temperatures were unseasonably warm. The oldest of the two structures onsite, the Montesiepi Chapel, dates back to the 12th century and features an authentic "sword in the stone," which the abbey's founder, San Galgano, is said to have plunged into a rock in the year 1180 in order to have an altar on which to pray. Following the black plague of the 1300's, the abbey gradually lost inhabitants until the year 1474, when its remaining monks transferred to a different site in nearby Siena. In the centuries that followed the conditions of the abbey worsened, and over time both its roof and bell tower were completely lost. The Montesiepi Chapel remains in working condition to this day. The students spent the afternoon exploring the area around the abbey and the chapel and enjoying some time relaxing in the Tuscan countryside. It was truly the ideal activity for an Indian summer Saturday afternoon.

Since we last spoke, the SportsCenter version:

• I attended a church service in the chapel built around the original sword in the stone.
• I watched a monk (in full monk garb, mind you) play soccer with a gaggle of ten-year-olds.
• I successfully hitchhiked home by faking a limp - twice.
• I shared tea with the great grand-nephew of Lord Alfred Douglas (a "colleague" of Oscar Wilde's).
• I served drinks at la festa (party) di contrada Tartuca.
• I became a painter.

Right, so art classes are in full shwang, and I find that our program's activities are scheduled, organized, graded events of what I would be (should be) doing anyway. This weekend we bused to Florence, visiting museums and painting from sculpture. I kept turning corners and being confronted with these masterpieces we had discussed in a different class a week earlier - "Oh, hi there. Weren't you carved by Michelangelo half a millenium ago?"

Two more weeks in Italy means two more weeks with Ilio and Maria; my nights consist of a mix of encouragement to eat ("Mangi! Mangi!") and to bring home "una bella ragazza Italiana." I often exit to the battle cry "20 anni!" as Ilio celebrates my youth. He became much more interesting last weekend - Maria was away visiting her family for the day and I had some solo time with the signor. He iterated the importance of only drinking wine with dinner, and then mixed with water; I also received kudos for skipping lunch. The next night he put on an excellent show for his wife, expressing his horror when I repeated such behavior and agreeing with his wife's concerns that my mother will think ill of them when I return underfed. I laughed. Hard. Oh, and Maria tried to sneak me a nightcap after dinner. Tricky!

Anna took us to San Galgano abbey as well, near the resting place of the original sword in the stone. Pictured here, the abbey is around 900 years old; it was strange to think that the trees around it are young compared to the structure. To see what those stones have seen...

I came to Siena to change - to change my geograpy, my society and myself. The decision was impulsive and without significant deliberation, therefore I realized why I came to Siena after I arrived. Stripped of all familiarities - friends, family, culture, home and language - I soon dedicated significant amounts of time to introspection. I used to inwardly scoff when I heard someone say they wanted to "find themselves," but I'm beginning to understand the extent to which the incessant noise of the American routine begins to deafen that which most needs to be heard. I was so affected by those I kept around me that I wasn't sure who I was when I left them. My study abroad experience shall be educational in much more significant ways than designed by any unversity. As I sign off, know that for me, December 19th will not be the end - it will be the beginning.