TEAM 180 - MEMORIES OF A JOYOUS TIME

WE WORKED       WE PLAYED 

 WE FULFILLED
THE GLOBAL VOLUNTEER MISSION

ARRIVEDERCI MONOPOLI

ARRIVEDERCI MONOPOLI

OH HOW IT HURTS TO GET UP IN THE MORNING
FOR THIS GROUP IT'S WORTH IT

One Of Our Wee Ones With Graduation Certificate

          

Due to our late return from the dinner, most of us were tired when we came down for breakfast Friday morning. But it's business as usual - no extra sleep time for us. We were up and out the door by 8:30. We walked to school and had our students changed once again, as we had more people available to teach. Surprisingly, my two always tardy girls arrived on time, so I presume my challenge for them to arrive on time paid off. At the midway break, the students put on a going away party for the teachers. And they had a cadeux for each of us. A very nice little feast and a picture postcard that was unexpected and well appreciated was give to each teacher by the students. Each post card had a hand written note thanking us for our time with them. It touched our hearts to know they appreciated our efforts.
Many photos were taken with teachers and students, and refreshments were enjoyed. One of the refreshments was a chocolate pound cake, made by Mirium, Angela and Rosana. It was very Good!
A short final session was completed before returning to the hotel, and some took quick rest before going downtown to a waterfront restaurant for lunch, which was climaxed with some gelato. As some of us were in a car, we decided to take a small tour of the old city, and we did not get lost, though almost lost a car mirror.
When we returned to the hotel, we were greeted by Margharita with party balloons for our going away dinner to be held in the hotel restaurant rather than the dining room. 
Our final celebration was festive and fun.  We had a wonderful dinner; we toasted with proseco and the hotel prepared a delicious torte for our dessert. Fond goodbyes were exchanged as we set off on our journeys home tomorrow. 

Delicious Torte Prepared By Chef Antonio

Final Celebration Photo

 

 

Ciao e Tutte!

THE 4TH OF JULY IN ITALY - WILL THERE BE FIREWORKS?

Thursday was the second day we rotated our teaching assignments.  Room assignments went very well. As is their habit, two of the girls were late and missed the discussion on the flag of the United States. The discussion on the flag and the US Constitution was due to the date being July 4th. 
After discussing the US Constitution, we dealt with the Italian constitution. I was a little surprised at how little they knew about their constitution. Then we compared the make up of Italy to that of the U.S. 
How do you celebrate the 4th of July in Italy - the same as in the US - with a picnic!  And that is exactly what Team 180 did.  We shopped for our picnic supplies:  pane (bread), salami, formaggio (cheese), pomodoro (tomato),  and of course, olives, chips and docce (sweets).
After returning to our hotel, we prepared for our picnic on the swimming pavilion. It was not the usual hotdog and hamburger picnic, and for that I was glad. Someone had bought sparklers and special mini rockets for a birthday cake. A little bit of misunderstanding delayed our lighting the sparklers, but all was well in the end.

Our Fire Works Display

Sun & Pannini Go Well Togethr

Best Pannino Yet

Life Can Be A Beach In Monopoli

We had a big treat for the end of the day, as we traveled to one of our adult students,Carmen's for a wonderful evening,  The evening climaxed with Marco - another one of our adult students - playing some classical guitar music and a bountiful dinner table.

The evening was so  good, we did not get back to the hotel until close to 1 AM .

MIDDLE OF THE WEEK - BEGINNING TO WIND DOWN

Wednesday started out as a normal day with breakfast at 8:00.  Mary went to the scientific
school to help students with an upcoming English exam, while Bob, Emily and I returned to
the language school to continue working with our groups.
Nate,Emma and Charlotte stayed at the Hotel Clio to tutor children and adults. After school Emma and Nate met me and Emily at a local shop where we were able to sample some olive oils.

Togetherness After Only A Week

For lunch we ventured to a new restaurant in the old town, where we tried a variety of antipasti dishes including raw cuddlefish. After lunch we all took siestas, except Bob. He went on a very long walk to the park with Margarita. 
During the late afternoon we all went separate ways. Mary, Emma, Emily, and Bob got some shopping done, while Nate and I spent time jumping off rocks at the beach.  It has turned quit warm and Charlotte worked on getting her airconditioning fixed. 
Around 6:30 most of us met for cocktail hour by the pool where we drank wine and ate cheese. 

It's A Family Affair With A Grandfather and Three Grandchilden Volunteers

Dinner began around 8:00 and we all shared a laugh when I walked into a glass door carrying a full plate of food. Ouch!  While waiting for our dinner, we entertained ourselves by creating a symphony using our drinking glasses.  We made some magical music.

We Also Have a Grandmother & Granddaughter As Volunteers

After dinner Rita took the youngins out on the town where we saw a live band  playing in the center. It was a long day but it was filled with many laughs and  adventures.

TUESDAY - ONLY FOUR MORE DAYS TO SHARE WHAT WE KNOW

The morning was just like most others have been over the past week and a half. We wakeup; have breakfast combined with a meeting with the team; and go right to work.  

Some Spend Mornings With Some Children

Today Emma and I paired together to teach the young kids since my kids at the school were apparently absent. Granddad, Emily, Mary, and Christina all went to teach at the school. 
The two hours we had flew by in the class room. Soon after we finished, the four us younger ones went to the Monopoli market that is only available on Tuesdays. We then headed to lunch at, what most of us agree to be the best restaurant we've had in Monopoli, Locanda. After lunch, each of us in the team went and did our separate activities for our siesta and met back for dinner later that evening. All-in-all, today was a relaxing, yet full (and enjoyable) day. 

 A Geography Lesson

Relaxing After Morning Tutoring Session

MONDAY - A NEW WEEK BEGINS

Taking A Break From One Of Our Interesting Discussions

After a busy weekend, with everyone keeping very busy touring, we now settle in for a second week with our students and adult friends.

Yesterday was July 1st and the beginning of the real tourist season in Italy.  Most Italians vacation during the months of July and August, but, for us it is back to work.

Mary changed schools and went to the 'scuola scientifico' help children prepare for their English exams,  Charlotte and I stayed at the hotel to tutor the children, and some adults, while Nate, Emily, Christiana and my granddad went to the school to continue lessons with their groups. The morning went smoothly and we met  for lunch at cafe Napoli and ate delicious panini. 

Adult Student Sharing Information - His Town - Bari

We then returned to the hotel and had a meeting regarding some house keeping rules. We also reaffirmed our goals and discussed our operations for the remainder of the week.  

Later that night before dinner Rita took the " young ones" on a tour of a masseria and the castle of San Stephan while Mimma took Charlotte, Grandad and Mary on a walking tour through  Polignano a Mare.  
Today was very adventurous.  The 'young ones' swim and jump from the rocks in the Adriatic Sea  and continue to explore the winding streets of Monopoli.  

Time For A Photo Op After Dinner