AT FIRST: pellezzano camp

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It started in Pellezzano-(Close to Salerno, in Southern Italy): a town on a hill, with a convent, post office, and general store. We had 4-15 year old students. While Nadia (from London) tried to teach the bambini colors in English (when they did not know the difference between orange and pink in Italian) I worked with the way cool adolescents, translating Red Hot Chili Peppers “scar tissue” (not to mention every pop song) and discussing politics, history, family and aspirations. They were a wild, sweet, and charming crew; the most hugs and kisses were received here.
The Nuns (oh sweet Antonella) fed us warm cauldrons of creamy pasta. The bells rang every fifteen minutes and prayer hymns were graciously bellowed through piercing speaker phones at 8 in the morning. Every night the garden danced with fireflies as we held tight together in efforts to find our way to the world beyond the confined gates. Luckily, we made good friends with a group of firefighters: road trips (in a huge van) to the beach, Napoli, and Pompeii, dinners, drinks and dancing was always demanded from them...even as our voices could barely muster a shiver and we thought our bodies would collapse..we had to oblige to their royal treatment. One family took us out on their huge boat for a night on the Amalfi coast line. …then to dinner, then to gelato..than on on and on. we have been treated very well here. After two weeks tears were shed from students and especially from Ana (the sweedish), I will never forget the panic we felt for the final show and after- the lines of cameras we waited in front of. A beautiful place.

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Photos

the convent: villa pastore della loro madre fondatrice
the door open on the left was my room

Salerno at night
funny night.

Boat ride!!
This is ridiculous. a seven yr. old student's family taking us out for the night on their boat.....

Fiat 500!!
Paula and i with Nicolas' pride.

The mr. Bean of Italy
"where is the problem?"

Line dancing is huge
dancing at a central park with the tutor crew.

caps are mandatory
skifo pool