Much Better! Thursday 31 May Today I started private lessons and I’m managing much better. I have just a two-hour lesson each day now instead of four hours in class, but in the long run I still think I’ll be better off. Perhaps I would swap back to a classroom situation if/when I next come back to the school. At least that way I would already know the basics of the feminine, masculine, single, plural, verb to be, adjectives, adverbs, articles etc., etc., etc. Just a little note to anyone reading this who is thinking of attending IL SASSO: Try and learn the basics before you go as it’s a pretty fast-paced class!... read more

Who sets the pace? Tuesday 29 May By day two, the pace had been set. The five other students in the class had either studied Italian before, or spoke similar languages such as Spanish. So, despite my attempt to study, I wasn’t keeping up. They were much too quick for me! After class I made an appointment for a private lesson to see if I could catch up. This would take place after class on Wednesday, day three.... read more

Sunday 27 May Montepulchiano This morning I just lazed around my apartment reading and enjoying breakfast and the village views from my window. This afternoon I wandered around all the lovely shops just soaking up the atmosphere of this charming village. The streets here are very narrow and also very steep. I think the local people here must be very fit and have very strong legs. Montepulciano is a walled medieval village with cobblestone -streets and buildings with small windows with either bars or shutters. Some have beautiful window boxes with red geraniums or colourful petunias. Others have fabulous roses growing around their doorways. Being a walled village means it isn’t possible to drive through the streets without special permits and then you can only do so at certain hours. Most cars are required to park ... read more

Friday 25 May (cont’d) I got off to an early start, arriving at Milan State Archives at 8.30. The news was a bit disappointing, I was told I’d have to go to the Milan Municipal Archives as the State did not handle vital records ie, birth, deaths and marriages for the period I was searching. They only handle much earlier records, prior to 18th century and mostly records other than BDMs such as wills, probate, family histories etc. So, after more walking, steps and subways to reach the Municipal archives, the outlook appeared a little more hopeful. After registration, my belongings were placed in a locker and I was led into a reading room. These musty-smelling archive rooms are amazing; every wall is floor to ceiling chocked full of old books and records. I was seated ... read more

Thursday 24 May The flight from Abu Dhabi to Milan was about 6 ½ hours. The Etihad service was excellent, especially compared to the trip between Australia and Abu Dhabi. Why? I don’t know, but this time I didn’t go hungry or thirsty. The crew were very attentive on this sector, they also appeared friendlier and more willing to assist guest requests. Maybe the ratio of staff to passengers was higher or maybe the crew were fresher. Regardless, apart from the quality and selection of food, I was much happier with the overall service on this leg. After walking up and down many, many steps to train and subway stations, and on and off transport, I arrived at Euro Hotel Milano around 4pm (11pm Australian time). I checked in, had a shower and went straight to ... read more