Goodbye's!

The trip has come to an end! I am sitting here in Venice getting ready to start my own journey. I will have plenty of time to reflect on the past four weeks while traveling Europe for another three weeks.

Last night we went to our friend Roberto's house for dinner. We decided, or should I say the girls did, to cook our Italian friends a typical American meal. We had cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, cooked vegeatables and for dessert, apple pie with vanilla ice cream. We had a wonderful evening listening to music and spending our last night together. I was especially excited for my good buddy Alessandro came in to spend the last night with us. What a great friend he has become.

This morning I woke up early to see the girls off. We have become really close so it was rather an emotional goodbye. As amazing as this trip has been as far as sightseeing and vocational visits what I will remember the most is the friendships made. The girls and I became extremely close throughout the trip. I will also remember my new Italian friends Alessandro and Roberto. It can not be understated just how welcomed we were by our Italian rotary friends. I am confident I have met several friends for life through our Italian Rotary visits.

 Lastly, I would like to thank Rotary for an amazing four weeks. I have learned so much about Italy while on this journey. My mottos; ask questions and listen paid off. Thank You!

                                                                I have arrived in Venice!

                                                     My good buddies, Roberto and Alessandro

Sending the ladies off to the airport. I will miss our fun times together. Thanks Ladies!

5/24: Shall we see what Rome is all about

Absolutely my favorite day! ROME. Today we visited Acqui Terme the sight of Roman baths and the hot springs. Nancy, Laura and I visited the old Roman city of Acqui Terme. I soaked my face in the sulphuric springs of Acqui Terme. Noticing many similarities between district 7570 and 2030.

Tara and Elisabeth were doing there thing at a vocational cooking school while we checked out the town. The weather has changed for the better. It was a beautiful day to tour the city.

We met the girls at the school and had a nice lunch prepared by the students of the school.

Later in the afternoon we visited the Roman ruins of Gavi. What an amazing experience. The Roman city was not rediscovered until the mid 1800's. We saw the ruins of a colisseum, theater, forum and patrician dwellings. WOW! I was in heaven. I walked around the sight for a long period of time by myself imagining what life was like and how people lived. When not walking in complete amazement I was able to talk to our rotarian guides who had knowledge of the site. I am humbled by the experiences I have had and look forward to having time to fully contemplate what I have seen.

At the end of the tour I met the president of the Gavi Rotary Club, Scarsi Fabrizio.
What an amazing time I had with Mr.Fabrizio. I drove to the sights with Mr.Fabrizio and we instantly became friends through our love of history. Mr.Fabrizio shared that he would like to restore the Gavi ruins and have a celebration every year and reenactment for the village to educate and entertain to raise awareness of life during the Roman times. I had been thinking of the same idea and was very impressed by his vision and mentioned that I thought this was a great idea. Is this not the purpose of Rotary? One day I will return to Gavi and see the fruition of the work of Mr.Fabrizio.   
A very impressive club president who has inspired me!

After seeing the old fort that protceted Gavi (impressive in its own right) we visited a very old vineyard. Mr.Teodoro Lechner setup an amazing afternoon before our rotary meeting in Gavi. Is this really happening is the common thought through my head. We visited a vineyard from the end of the Middle Ages. As such on this trip we had our own personal tour of the hotel, vineyard and restaurant. If or when I get married this may be the spot. Absolutely gorgeous! It turns out Mr.Lechner worked very closely with PPG which is a company from Pittsburgh, PA. My hometown! Talk about a small world. Also,Sandy one of our guides and the wife of a rotarian, her mother went to James Madison University. She said when she read our biographies she was astonished, just as I was. An amazing day spent building lifelong friends. It was also nice seeing a familiar friend in Mr.Magnone's son Franco who has become a great acquaintence and help. Goodwill and friendship shared by all.

Sorry for the long post : (

5/23: Mignone Family

What an incredible day once again. Seems to be a common theme. I am blown away by the hospitality of the people we have met. Rotary seems to be an amazing organization. I have met some amazing people including the Mignone family, talk about the epitome of class and dignity.

Village of Bosco Marengo: Tour of the Church
Lunch at the Mignone family Villa: (Amazing company and food)
Wedding planner business
Novi Ligure (Historic town)
Outlets

May 22: Risotto Anyone?

It has been a little difficult to post but when in Rome. We had another wonderful day. We started out the day visiting a vocational school that applied to Tara's profession. This school was remarkably well run with a focus on hospitality, service and culinary arts. I must admit I was very impressed by all facets of the school.

We then visited the historic town of Monferrato and its castle.

The Guggenheim museum situated in Vercelli, was also a stop on the tour. I was amazed at the rebuilding of its original look.

We then had our second rotary meeting in an amazing house in Vercelli. The meeting was amazing and I really enjoyed meeting the rotarians in Vercelli. They gave us an unbelievable tour of the villa and explained the history behind the rotary and also the villa we were situated in.

Lastly we walked around town and had an incredible experience. While we walked around we were forunate enough to get a private tour of an amazing church. We walked in at just the right time. The choir was practicing late at night. It felt rather magical and very much spiritual. Vercelli was quite the experience!

First vocational visit: Tim

Monday was my first vocational visit to an Italian High School. I really enjoyed meeting with a fellow teacher from Italy. We were able to talk and discuss similarities and differences in our fellow school systems.
Some things to note:
There are five years of high school in Italy
The federal government is becoming more involved in education
Technology is lacking in his particular school; old school methods still being used
There are two different schools: The other is called a classical school (Greek, Latin, other various subjects)

After our vocational visit we headed to the fort that protected Alessandria from threats. I was rather impressed for we had Italian High School students lead the tour. They did a great job!

Finally in the evening we had our first rotary presentation in front of a gracious audience.

Holy Gran Torino, we have arrived!

We made it! After some long traveling, we have arrived in Italy!

 All of us are running on fumes right now after about 10 hours spent on planes. We arrived in Turin at about 1:30 p.m. Our driver Roberto met us right outside the airport, talk about service, and drove us to our first destination Alessandria.

We are getting ready to meet with our host from the other side of the pond Bart. Trying to stay up right now is our biggest difficulty, we are trying to avoid that inevitable jet lag as much as possible.

             The girls are rather sneaky about taking pictures so I need to be more aware. Waiting for our last leg of the journey; Munich to Turin
.

                    "When in Rome do as the Romans do" Oh wait we were in Munich!  Germany is known for their pretzels so of course.....

 Absolutely amazing plane ride from Munich to Turin. Flying over the Alps was breathtaking!

     
 Of course we have to have our customary photo taken at the welcome to Turin sign at the airport.
                                                Come on now what else would you expect!

We’re leaving on a jet plane.....

The preparation has come to an end for the Rotary GSE trip district 7570 visiting district 2030, Northern Italy. We have completed our first flight, Roanoke to Dulles. We will then fly to Munich and finally to our end destination in Turin at noon tomorrow, or 6am EST. During this trip we are all excited to visit our individual vocations and enjoy the local culture.

We would like to thank all who made this opportunity possible, with a team of 5 there are too many to mention, but a special shout out goes to Ernie Bentley, the District GSE Chair and District Governor Janet Johnson. Also, each of our sponsoring Rotary Clubs: Front Royal, Staunton, Lexington Sunrise, Bridgewater, and Waynesboro

Timothy Davis- Team Member

Tim lives in Harrisonburg, Virginia where he has taught for over five years.  He teaches World History and Debate for Rockingham County Public Schools.  Hobbies include traveling, coaching and hiking. Tim hopes to visit museums, schools, parks, and sporting events while in Italy.