Monday, October 19, 2009

I have been home a week, am well-rested, and ready to go!

A huge congratulations to Bailey for being this year's Egyptologist! Finalists were: Sarah, Landon, Laurie, and Joshua. I am really proud of all the facts learned:)

We are currently studying Mesopotamia. By the end of the week, we will be studying ancient India. Our next quiz will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27th. It will be over CH6L1, 2, and 3.

I can't believe first quarter has already ended! Parent conferences are next week. I have not yet gotten the schedule, but I have heard from parents that I am already booked. Unfortunately, with 150 students, there are not enough slots for all. I can tell you, however, that I am very pleased with first quarter grades. The students have worked hard and learned a LOT! Last week we were putting portfolios together; the students were amazed how much they have learned since the first day of school!

I'M HOME !!

I am home--safe and sound. I truly have had the trip of a lifetime.

I really enjoyed the days in Rome; it was great fun having Luciano as a private driver and tour guide. He knew how to avoid all of the lines and where the best local restaurants were located. I ate delicious Italian food--no one in the restaurant (customers included) spoke English!

I must tell you about one of my all-time favorite activities of my life. I had a private tour of the Vatican with the man who was the curator of the Sistine Chapel for the past ten years. His knowledge, enthusiasm and respect for the Vatican were so clearly evident. I learned so many things; his enthusiasm was contagious. I shall never forget that afternoon.

I haven't had a chance to download Rome photos; I will as soon as I can.

I will see you IN THE MORNING!!! Let the stories begin:)

Thank you for the comments!!

Hello!
Let me respond to some of your comments...
1) I am very excited that J. is in China getting her new sister; she will have so many stories. I think it is neat you are communicating be webcam! You are travelling the world through cyber space:)
2) No, R, I did not see any torture devices in the castles I visited. (It doesn't mean they weren't there! I just didn't see them!
3) Hey neighbor, RR--I am glad you are following the trip:) Yes, the glass artwork was amazing--and, yes--I couldn't resist buying something!!
4) I think I know who the aliens are :)
5) Hi Ri! The people in Italy speak Italian; they also use a lot of hand motions. Although I couldn't understand them when they were speaking Italian, it was pretty easy to read signs and basic words. Thanks for writing!

Hello again from Italy!

This was another amazing day!

I had a private tour guide--Luciano AND a private tour of Pompeii by an expert. Oh my goodness, what a day for a history teacher!!!

The ship docks tomorrow. I will have Luciano as a private tour guide in Rome for the next three days. I don't think I will have access to the internet--this might be my last posting until I get home.

If I don't get to write again, I want to sincerely thank all of you for joining me on this amazing trip. I am excited to come home and share my incredible stories with you!

Here is a picture of my morning drive along the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The other picture is from POMPEII!!

Caio!

I'm in Italy!!!

Can you believe it?? I am in Italy! I am on the island of Sicily. Look on a map--Sicily is the island off of the "toe of the boot" of Italy.

Tomorrow I go to Pompeii--the place that made me fall in love with history when I was in 6th grade! I can't believe I will be there in about 12 hours! I even have a private scholar!

Tomorrow is also my last day on the ship. I will be spending the following three days in Rome. I will go to the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and even the Vatican where I will get to see the Sistene Chapel painted by Michelangelo!! I don't know if I will have computer access. If not, I will be home on Monday and will see you Tuesday! Hasn't this been the best adventure ever??!! I am so excited to see where you are choosing to go on YOUR Mediterranean journey:)
See you SOON!!! Ciao'!

Taormina--a modern city

Taormina was a very charming town. The streets are very narrow; the homes are 2-3 stories high with shops on the first floor. Bakeries filled with marzipan and cannoli (I am so sorry--I don't know how to spell it!), shops with top-line fashions, ahhh--it was all found in Taormina--along with medieval AND ancient sites. Taormina has it all!

Ciao!

Taormina--an ancient and medieval city

I had a wonderful time in Taormina. I have attached a picture of the ancient Greek Theater from the 3rd century BC!!! This was used for gladiators and fighting with wild animals. There is also a picture of a Roman Theater from the 200s AD. This theater was mostly used for musical performances. I also included some photos from medieval times. The picture of the skull and cross bones is from a church from the 13th century. I learned today that a church with a skull and cross bones indicated that a crypt, or bones of a special person, were buried under the structure of the church.