DAY 53: Bloody Hell. Bloody orange.

Whelp, 2 hours of worrisome non-sleep wasn't enough... as you can imagine, I was in a fantastic mood this morning. Exhaustion isn't even a worthy description. Feeding Luigi was similar to feeding a 1 year old... sloppy mess- just shoved things in the hole and called 'er good. Because I did such a successful job packing, I managed to fill my reusable grocery bag, "Oscar" (holds garbage and crap). With Luigi on back, Roo on front, Trixie over the shoulder, Hoebag (small purple) smashed in "Oscar," who was switching from my left hand to right, Team BlondVoyage bid Rome adeu, thanked God for still remaining upright and threw my self into the Tiber. Just kidding... the bus. Threw myself onto the bus. Which quickly took on a basement pub, mortuary stench... it was all I could do to not vomit, let alone come to terms with the fact that it was seeping out of my peers pores. DETOX TIME!

2 hours later we arrived in Corciano... also known as the halfway point between Heaven and Earth. Only the people that are ALMOST perfect get to come here... maybe they stole an orange when they were little or cheated on an Algebra exam in Middle School. Lord only knows how I got so lucky- and I'm not even dead yet!  I'm not sure how to describe my home for the next two months because words do it no justice. But I'll try: imagine winding through tree-covered hills on a narrow road, rising in elevation with each mile behind the tires. Rain lightly sprinkles from the overcast sky that is bigger and brighter than anywhere I've been (ok, besides my second favorite place in the world, Big Sky, Montana)... powder grey acts as a backdrop while ribbons of lavender and plum dash between chubby rain clouds. Almond colored medieval towns stacked on top of one another settle into hillsides everywhere you look... castles rise up out of no where like sleeping giants. We take a sharp right up a dirt road to one of these magnificent sleeping giants, which happens to be our next door neighbor... the villa is situated right beneath the town of Corciano, a steep 20 minute walk away. The wolf pack tirelessly files off the bus, into our "hotel," which sits adjacent to the villa and classrooms. Keep in mind that this hotel and classrooms are nothing like you might imagine... all very old buildings that have been converted, so they have remaining charm  and character. Rosella Vasta is our host- her mother Bebe and father Michele bought the villa 20 years ago and turned it into a business retreat/wedding/vacation destination. Ten years ago Rosella decided to start an International program that hosts university groups studying abroad, including Montana State (we are the 10th group). Rosella is not your typical Italian... she has bright blond hair and is an absolute firecracker. Her paintings cover every wall, as she is a very well known artist in Italy.

After introductions, orientation and "moving in"(rooming with Jesine) were accomplished, we joined Rosella and her assistant in the dining room for lunch... croquettes (small, fried roll filled with mashed potatoes), lasagna, turkey with a mushroom gravy and brownies for dessert. It was all I could do to keep my eyes open, so after an hour of small talk and physically holding my eyelids up, I could not curl up in my bed fast enough... only to lay there, wide awake. Is it possible to be TOO tired to sleep? How can I be in Hell when I'm supposed to be in euphoria? My brain would not shut off, so I laid on my cot/bed, staring at the wood panels on the ceiling. My mood increased exponentially when I had to meet the group for more orientation in a meat locker... err, classroom; followed by dinner... I feel like I have done nothing but sit, lay down and eat today... I win the gold medal in the "Lazy Sack" finals. So MORE food... vegetable soup with pasta (very tasty) followed by salad and a slice of potato/egg pie. For dessert I enjoyed my third blood orange of the day... they've become my latest obsession. So deliciously juicy, I can hardly stand it. I made a special request for salads and vegetables as often as possible at meals... I have a feeling pasta will be served at every meal, so for someone that rarely ever ate pasta before coming to Italy...

After taking a shower and giving Luigi the heimlich, I feel at home. I'm ready to relax, get back in a routine and dust off my drawing skills (it's been awhile since I sat down to sketch for 5 hours at a time). Breath in, breath out... I love fresh mountain air. Ciao ciao ciao...