Hi Class! 

Today was the most beautiful day I’ve had in Perugia, thus far. After many days of rain and cold, it was fitting that today would be beautiful. Today was the festival of San Costanzo. He is a patron saint of Perugia. Perugia actually has three saints that watches over the city. Today is like a holiday to the people of Perugia.  All Italian schools are closed and many markets; however, Umbra stayed open. So in between classes, friends and I wandered the streets to see all that San Costanzo had to offer us.

The big event is something like a street fair or flea market. One section of the city was dedicated to vendors. There was everything from food to light bulbs for sale. Here are a few pictures of the vendors and what they had to offer.

The other big tradition for Perugia is the tasting of the torcolo. A torcolo is a fruitcake shaped as a donut. (It was awful! It tasted like liquorish!) The tasting of the torcolo is set up in a tent (like this one) 

and Italians push through the tent until finally coming out on the other side with a piece of torcolo. Honestly, it felt like we were a bunch of sardines. 

Take a look at the view! 

Hi Class!

I had my first week of classes. Here is Chocolate and I going to school! We are having lots of fun taking notes and studying. I have my first quiz on Thursday. Wish me luck! 

When you look at this picture the door way to my school is just to the left of the balcony. It looks like every other building. I had no idea it was my school! 

Well since we've been doing so much studying, Chocolate bought me a crepe. A crepe is like a pancake but very flat! Most people put a chocolate sauce inside then fold it up like a sandwich. Chocolate bought me a crepe with Nutella and fragola (strawberry) ice cream. Yum! It was delicious. 

We have been eating lots of sweets but I make sure Chocolate and I get our veggies too. My favorite vegetable dish to make is zucchini, potatoes, and peppers. Every week I learn to make something new. Hopefully, by the end I'll be a wonderful cook like Chef Emeril. BAM! 

Doesn't it all look so fresh!?!

Well, I better run to class. It's been very rainy here. Today it actually stopped raining and I'm hoping to walk around with Chocolate. We are going to take my camera! Can't wait to share with you! 

Love, Ms. Deppen

Bonjourno class!

The Italians use "bonjourno" during the morning to mid-afternoon. It is a way to greet someone like saying, "Good morning."

This week has been a lot of fun! I loved reading your message. It always makes me smile to hear from you! Plus, I love talking about my class in Italy so everyone knows who you are and what Chocolate is doing here. By the way, Chocolate is doing well. I think she might be a little homesick for Cornwall but she is adjusting well! This week she helped me with my homework. Yes, Ms. Deppen -me- has homework. I just had Italian homework this week and starting January 14 I will start all of my classes.

Chocolate helping me with my Italian homework. 

This weekend I went to the chocolate factory in Perugia. It's not as big as Hershey's but it is amazing. The woman set out tons of chocolate goodies for us to try! 

Then on Saturday, my friends and I went to Florence by train. 

Chocolate's first train ride! 

Chocolate loved the train! She actually got a good nap in. Then we arrived in Florence. The first place we went was The Duomo. The Duomo is a church in the heart of Florence.

The Duomo

Inside the Duomo. 

Then we took in the sights! 

And shopped! I got two scarves and a new leather bag! 

We finished off our day with some gelato! Yum! Gelato is ice cream in Italian and there are so many flavors! The most common are vanilla and chocolate. 

Until next time. Bye Class! 

Note: If your family writes, make sure to check back to the comments section. I will respond. :) 

I'm here!

Hi Class!

I made it to Italy on Friday! The first two days have been wonderful! I'm sorry I didn't write sooner but I've been dealing with jetlag. Jetlag is when you are tried from traveling and you have to get use to the time! So when it is 9:00 am at school, it's really 3:00 pm where I am. Anyway, I have some photos to share with you!

Chocolate on the bus with me. She had a great view of our trip to Perugia! 

View from the bus! Surprisingly not everything looked like this. Some places looked like a cities!  

The beginning of town! I should tell you Perugia is on a hill! A very steep hill! I won't need to go to the gym anymore! Where I live is at the top and you must take a minimetro to the top, otherwise it's exhausting! A minimetro is like a train but smaller and some of it is built on top of buildings!!! I'll make sure my next post has a photo! 

Chocolate and I shared our first pizza! Yum! The crust is very, very thin here but all the ingredients are fresh liked they went to their garden that morning and picked it! 

This is at the top of the hill and where I live. The lights are for Christmas! Isn't it beautiful!?!?! Oh, all the people -it's normal. Italians are all about being around people. It is very common to sit and have dinner for four hours. In America, we always feel like we need to be on the go  -not here. We take our time. 

This ferris wheel is for the Christmas festival. Behind looks over a valley in which you can see for miles. I will show you soon! 

This is my room. The view from my door. 

I have so much storage! Room to go shopping! 

This is the view looking at the door. My room is a rectangle! 

I hope you had fun looking at the photos! Chocolate and I will be going to a market on Sunday, then starting classes. I'll let you know if she learns any new phrases! 

Ciao!