Workshop, Graduate Readings, and Sushi

Today was a very long day of classes. The day had finally come for my workshop session and it went really well. I am so happy to have such a great group of writers to work with. Each person really thought about their comments. Leaving workshop makes me want to continue writing which is something it should always make me feel. I couldn't be more grateful to my YA tribe.

Besides my workshop piece, I attended lectures on nonhuman characters, elements of setting, picture books, and choosing words. The graduating students read from their work and did a great job.

Lunch was uneventful. We went to a crepe shop. I got tuna and lettuce in a crepe. It was pretty good, simple, light and fast.


For dinner, the YA tribe went to conveyor belt sushi, some of us, like me, for the first time. We weren't able to sit together as a group, but our couplings were still nice. Conveyor belt sushi is an experience that I'm glad I was able to have.

It's pretty simple. You wait until you like the look of something and pick up the plate. Luckily, there wasn't any guess work. They had signs telling us what was what. I tried the boiled eel, tempura shrimp, fried rice and bean paste, and wasabi laced cucumber roll. It was all very good. The boiled eel was my favorite. Everything was nicely complimented by green tea Edie stumbled upon.

While the others went to go see a stair light show, I had to go back to the hotel. My legs and feet had become super swollen. I had no ankles. I soaked my feet in the bath and then put them up hoping the swelling would go down.

On the docket today is a full day trip to Hiroshima.

Two for One: Classes and the Tale of Genji

This blog entry will cover the past two days since I was unable to update you this morning (my time) about my day yesterday.

July 16th
I had a wonderful breakfast with my fb writing group. It was nice to have a group to talk about writing with, and to meet everyone in person rather than communicating over fb.

After breakfast, it was off to the hotel for morning classes. We had a lecture and another poetry assignment. Then, we had workshop where we worked on one piece and then were given a lesson on characters which I found very helpful.

We went to Starbucks for lunch plus more souvenir cups. I thought I was getting a spinach and cheese sandwich but it turned out to also have meat in it. And it was the kind of meet that I couldn't easily scrap off. Luckily, I had also stopped at the grocery market and picked up some watermelon which was amazing and some Gatorade type water for the afternoon tour.

The tour was connected with the Tale of Genji. We first stopped at the museum which didn't have enough audio guides for us, so our tour guide told us about a few of the things in each room. It was a pretty sparse museum, but we did get free stickers. Because we had so much extra time we went and visited an old Shinto shrine with an original roof. It was a beautiful sight and the Tori gate just beyond was everything I had imagined. The only problem was the weather. It was sooooo hot that it was almost too unbearable to find anything enjoyable. I had my paper fan and my hand fan going at the same time.

After the museum and Shinto shrine, we went to the Byodoin Temple. This was the type of architecture I had been expecting since arriving in Japan. It was big and beautiful. The color of the buildings and architecture was just breathtaking. Inside the temple is a 9 ft Buddha, but I wasn't going to pay extra to see it up close. We were able to walk all around the temple and pond before entering the air conditioned museum. I was pretty much ready to pass out by the time we got into the cool air. I had overheated. Luckily, I managed to keep it together and cooled own even more. This museum, also with no audioguides, was easier to understand what as going on there. They had more artifacts that were cool to look at.

We stayed in the gift shop a little too long, but we didn't want to leave the AC. Down the street from the bus however, was an ice cream shop selling macha which I have been wanting to try. We got there just in time before they closed and it was worth it. Macha is green tea which seems to be used in a lot. At first bite, I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but the more I ate the more I liked it. It grows on you if you allow it.

After getting back to the hotel, Mary and I ate dinner at the Irish pub and then went to the lounge to write. It didn't last long before my eyes started to droop.

July17th

I woke up in the middle of the night from a dream that was a complete short story which I'm not eager to write. It maybe super hot here and I'm not big on the food, but it is inspiring. I made sure I wrote everything down before going back to sleep.

In the morning, we tried a different breakfast place today, I know, so out of my comfort zone. They had both Japanese and western food. I still ate the same things I ate at the other place. The only difference for me was a few waffles. It was really quite when we first got there, but it soon became crowded and the line through the buffet was going both ways which made it confusing.

Today was a day of classes. We listened to a few lectures, workshopped a piece, learned about the process of writing Road to Tate Hill, and had student readings.

Mary had convinced me to do the play instead of my YA novel and I'm happy I did. We ran out of time which sucked especially because it was a mystery and they were left not knowing who the killer was. I had several people come up at the end to ask the ending. It had a good response and I think I'll keep working on it. So far for each residency, I've read something from a different genre. Italy I read poetry, Scotland I read YA, and now Japan I read a play. Next year I'll have to do CNF or fiction. ;)

We went to this nice French deli for lunch to grab a quick sandwich and then went two shops down and got ice cream from Basksin-Robbins where I got more matcha ice cream with a raspberry cheesecake. It was yum.

After classes were complete, we ended the day walking through the train station because we misheard another group going to a toy shop and as YA writers we got excited. However, along the way we saw a pizza place that looked like a great place for dinner. So, instead of continuing to follow the group to the store that Alisha had already gone to, we went back to the pizza place for dinner and did a little shopping in the station. When we finally got back to the hotel we did more writing in the lounge until I wasn't able to keep my eyes open anymore. I crashed hard.

On the docket for today is more classes where I'm going to be workshopped!!!!!! Finally, it's my turn. :) Plus, were going to have a discussion about picture books which will be very helpful. There are also more lectures and the graduate readings. It will be a good day.

Classes with an Irish pub lunch and pancake dinner

I went to my usual breakfast place before heading off to a full day of classes. As a group, we walked through the maze of Kyoto station to our meeting spot about 10 minutes away. Luckily, because we go through the station, it's a bit cooler than if we were to be on the surface streets. I'm thankful for that but my little necklace fan has been a lifesaver.

I always enjoy the welcome home lecture because I do feel like I've come home. The faculty readings are all so interesting. Our interrelatedness of the arts assignment was assigned. I'm both annoyed and looking forward to it.

With our morning classes concluded, a group of us went to lunch at an Irish pub across from our hotel. It's a place I had wanted to try. I got the fish and chips and although they were a little different they were still good. If I wasn't so hot, I would have gotten a Guinness because they had it on tap. I maybe visiting that place later. They had all these dollar bills that people had signed and put on the walls and ceiling, so we did that as well. We left a little piece of Spalding behind.



We were shown a cool little lounge place in the hotel in view of the wedding chapel. Weddings here are a big thing. I've seen advertisements all over the place.

Afternoon classes included one of my small group discussion sections and two hours of workshop. I forgot how much I enjoyed workshop. The room we were in was super cold, had no windows, and had what felt like a bank vault door closing us in. It made me really focus on the task at hand and forget I was in Japan. I was in the writing world.

Emerging from the dome of writing we headed back to the hotel to drop stuff off before going to dinner. We went to a place where they made Japanese pancakes which are a specialty in this region. We walked downstairs and had to take off our shoes, the first time I've had to do that. They had lockers to put your shoes in and you got a wooden key to hold on to. They than led us to our table. It seemed like a normal set up, just underground. You had to walk on the bench, sit down, and put your legs under the table. It took a little maneuvering. There are doors on either side of the table creating a 'private' little room for you and your dinner guests. We ordered via ipad. In the middle of the table was a griddle that they turned on and heated up the room, but is necessary so they can put your food on it and cook it some more. We had turned ours off because it was so hot in the room, but we had to turn it back on when the food came back. Nothing like eating in a sauna.

The food itself was really good. I got a pancake that's made of potato and cabbage (maybe) with cheese and leeks. It arrived covered in a giant heap of leeks. They give you a little paddle and that's how you cut up your food and put it on your plate. I wish I could have eaten more, but with this heat, I just can't eat that much. Of course, the giant beetle on the wall at the end of dinner kind of turned me off as well.

Back at the hotel, I knew I couldn't lay down because I needed to finish my poetry assignment, so I decided I could work on that and soak my poor tired feet at the same time. I was trying to sit on the edge of the tub, which is a precarious position. In trying to turn off the tub, I turned on the shower and prayed myself, so the only logical thing to do was to get into bath in my clothes. I got my poem done, so maybe that's a new trick to try.

On the docket today is breakfast with my fb writing group, morning classes, and then the afternoon tour of the Tale of Genji. I might use my proper camera today.  :)

Samurai for a Day

I went to breakfast with the western food which for me was a good choice. There were eggs, hash browns, chocolate croissants, and fruit. You definitely realize how large you are in comparison to the Japanese and not just because you almost have to duck in the bathroom to see yourself in the mirror. The beverage glasses are super small. I drank three glasses of water which seemed like the equivalent of just one glass of water back home. Like I am perpetually sitting at the kids' table.  

After breakfast, Melissa and I walked through Kyoto station to find the ever present Starbucks. Then we meandered through the station a little more as we headed back to our hotel, so we could get ready for our Samurai experience. 

We caught a taxi at the hotel which took us to where we needed to go. I was a little nervous at the beginning as the driver didn't seem to know where we were going, but he got us there. The experience was in this tiny shop. We walked down a set of steps and was greeted by the instructor Hishyo. Our shoes came off and we filled out paperwork before being able to choose our outfits for the day. We were the first to arrive but were soon followed by a couple from Africa and a family. Entering the classroom, we were given socks to put on. I deemed them mittens for feet. They are more comfortable than toe socks but still a little strange.

We watched a short video on the history of the Samurai before taking the floor. We were given belts to tie around our waist that would later be used to hold the Katana in place, but we didn't know that at the time. The belt's center is placed at your center at the waist. You pull it behind you and cross both ends then you pull hard. Similar to a corset. Pulling the ends back to the front you tie it to the original center twice to make sure it stayed. Thankfully, they are used to larger bodies and found a belt that fit. Two times the charm. 

We all had to wash our hands with some kind of spray Hishyo put in our hands before he handed us each a katana. He went over the basics of the Katana: grip, guard, edge, back edge, and scabbard. Melissa was amazed we were given a Katana straight off the bat. I was amazed the eight of us were all wielding swords in such a small space on no one was injured. 

This first move is unsheathing the sword. Normally, as the Katana is in your belt you have to hold the guard with your thumb so in case you bow to someone, your sword doesn't fall out. Once you are ready to pull it out, you turn the sword in your belt to the left, take your right hand all the way down the grip, and pull it out to the side. 

The next moves were strikes and cuts. You know, the important ones. You hold the sword above your head with two hands, take a step forward, and bring it down in front of you trying to get a swooshing noise. I heard a faint one a few times. And of course, you are suppose to be fierce and yell when you come down. Striking fear in your enemy. In this case, the mirror. We learned to turn and strike and jump and strike. 

The next important move comes after all the striking and cutting. Basically, after you have killed all your enemies, your sword is now covered in blood and you need that off before you can put it back. You hold the sword in one hand and slash to the right, again wanting to hear the swooshing noise. Now you are ready to put your Katana back in the scabbard. Holding the scabbard with your left hand, you bring the sword up back side edge facing you and pinch it between your thumb and forefinger of your left hand. You slide down the end of the sword until you are able to put it back in the scabbard. 

After learning all these moves, we were dressed in traditional clothes and were shown and performed the first minute of a Kembu sword dance. The last thing we were shown was some fan work. Mainly how to open and close a fan with one or two hands. Overall, the experience was amazing and I'm really glad I got to go. 

Because I don't like to have downtime, I headed back to the hotel with barely enough time to eat a few pieces of a salad I had bought earlier before heading with the group to the Nishimi Market. We took the subway which was kind of crazy but not as crazy as Indian trains.

The market itself is around 400 meters. There's a canopy making it a little less hot. Most of the stores were for food and included a wide variety of seafood, beans, spices, vegetables, and tea. They had baby octopus on a stick! There was also a snoopy store. It was a fun little market, but my feet had had enough and it was a little too hot to really enjoy. Plus there were soooo many people. Mary, Alisha, and I ended up walking around the department store that had AC and was the meeting spot. It was filled with tons of high end shops. I finally had to just sit on the stairs to rest. 

Back at the hotel, we had about an hour to cool down before venturing out once more for our welcome back dinner. My dietary needs included no meat or fish including fish sauce, so I got a huge tray of vegetables and fruit. They had a small pot that they put a fire under to cook the vegetables or in some cases the beef in which was something I had seen on Iron Chef before. I couldn't eat most of my food, but the corn sushi was really good. And I tried some of Mary's tempura shrimp which was good. I even tried a little bit of sake which went down smoothly. 

I basically collapsed when I got back to the hotel. I tried to do some work, but sleep won out. 

On the docket for today, a full day of classes! I feel like I've been here forever and yet we're just getting started. 

Getting to Japan

To say I was abnormally anxious about this trip to Japan is an understatement. Considering that I don't know the language and have not visited Asian countries (excluding India) I have been uncomfortable.

I got to the airport with plenty of time to get check in, through security, and wait. My plane, it turns out, was running late. First it was just 10 minutes late, but then it quickly increased to 25 minutes late. With only an hour stop over in Vancouver, I was worried. I even went up to the front desk to ask if I was going to make my connection and they assured me that I would.

I waited in growing anticipation. When the plane finally did come, I went on and found my seat. Usually, I immediately put on my seat belt, so I can grip the arm rests in anticipation of getting the airplane into the air. My seat belt wouldn't close. I tried and tried. I almost cried. Finally, I got it to click for take off, but had to take it off as soon as we could, so I could breathe. It was a less than pleasant experience. Thankfully, I had taken my anxiety medication and didn't have a complete meltdown. The seat belt never went back on.

The plan itself was one of those really small ones with propellers. The ones that seem most likely yo fall from the sky. It stayed airborne, but didn't make up much time. Landing in Vancouver I had little time to get to my flight. I had to walk off the plane to the tarmac, through a tunnel, up an escalator, stop to get my passport checked, and race to the gate seeing on the way that my flight was in final boarding. I was not wearing my running shoes, but was able to make it onto the plane. Wheezing, heart racing, I found my seat next to Mary and sat down trying to catch my breath. (At least the seat belt fit better on this flight.) This is why I always like long layovers.

I had learned from the first flight that the anxiety medication did wonders for me, and I did not deny myself on this flight. I talked with Mary, listened to my book, and slept. I actually slept on a flight. It was glorious. Towards the end of the flight I wasn't feeling great, but I took out my necklace fan and than helped immensely.

Arriving in Osaka, I survived immigration and customs without too much trouble. I did have to step out of line because I didn't have a telephone number written down. It was just a matter of following the crowd through the maze. Lots of animated characters told you what to do. I liked the Mario Nintendo character's welcome sign the most. A quick shuttle ride to the main terminal and we hooked up with everyone else and were quickly ushered onto a bus.

It's hot here and I have resigned myself to being sweating and gross. Yay for traveling!

We got to our hotel and were welcomed by WorldStrides who already had our keys. I was finally able to breath a sigh of relief. I had made it. Making my way up to my room, I found the room a nice size. The bathroom is a little small and you have to step up into it which is strange, but the shower felt like the best shower in the world.

The toilet has all these buttons for different functions. The beds are hard, but I found a nice squishy pillow in the cupboard that helped. The view from our room is not a brick wall, so that is an improvement from previous years. I have a view of the street and train.

I felt great after my flight and wasn't really ready to go to bed. Nope, I needed dinner first. Mary, her roommate, and I ventured out of the hotel to try this chain curry place. I was really good. I got a tomato and asparagus curry with regular spice. It was just what I needed. I puttered around my room after dinner unpacking and flipping through channels waiting to see if Kasia would arrive before finally turning in.

I woke up early in the morning from a somewhat nice night of sleep. About the same about of sleep I get at home. I finished unpacking/organizing my stuff so it wasn't all over the place for when Kasia arrives.

On the docket for today is breakfast at the hotel, a cab and Samurai for a day experience with Melissa, lunch, walking tour of the Nishiki market, and welcome dinner.

July 14th - First Day Back, The Royal Mile and Haggis

I woke up at 4:22 this morning thinking I had overslept because it was so light outside. I hadn't. I still had to check all available clocks to make sure. Of course, then I was kind of up. I slept for a little bit longer. Kasia got up to go for her run and turned on the main lights on accident. When she left I was able to sleep for an extra 30 minutes before getting ready.

Breakfast was in the hotel and wasn't bad. They have the option of vegetarian sausage, but I didn't ask for it. I went with two pieces of toast, a croissant, a Scottish pancake, and a chocolate croissant with some orange juice. Not the best food or selection, but it did its job. After breakfast, we made our way up to the Hilton hotel for our first day of classes. Surprisingly, everything is rather close together. It wasn't a far walk especially when you're in the company of friends and excited for the day's activities. We walked past the Balmoral hotel where J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter. Then we went across the bridge that had great views of the city.

The Hilton, is a much nicer hotel than the one we are sleeping in. It is more of the standard we had in Rome. It was a nice change in scenery. Our welcome back lecture was good as well as the faculty readings. I'm still a bit jet lagged so I really had to work at not falling asleep a couple of times and not because things were boring.

For lunch, Mary, Alisha, and I set out for the Royal Mile. We ate at a nice place across from St. Giles Cathedral. I had a potato-leek-blue cheese soup and pasta. A nice meal while watching the grim reaper survey the tourists walking by and listening to the street musician. Service really is not the highlight here. And of course I got a bit of a sunburn from the sun which shouldn't be out in Scotland but is. Grrr!

Alisha went back to the hotel for her orientation and Mary and I checked out some tourist shops with the extra hour we had as well as more street performers. It was nice relaxing hour before workshop which I was kind of nervous about.

For all my worry, workshop was amazing. We spent the first bit just getting to know each other. It was really nice to have that time available to us and to be with just a ya group compared to last year's mixed bunch. When we came back after break, Leslea put us through some writing exercises. At first I was a bit hesitant because they had to do with remembering plus the pressure to perform on command. It ended up being really great, especially because I was writing again. It was actually a really good starter and I might just steal it for my students. :)
After class, I set up a time to conference with Leslea (Sunday) about the upcoming independent study. I'll be nervous about that as well, but it'll be nice to actually have met my mentor in person this time around. I had signed up for a group dinner and we met at 6:45. We ate at the Rosehip behind our hotel and down the street. It was a cute little restaurant. I felt adventurous and ordered the veggie haggis. I know it's not the same as traditional haggis, but it is the closet I can get. It wasn't bad. A bit spicy. Then all I had was a walk home in the blessed rain drizzle.

July 13 - Arrival

My flight to Amsterdam was uneventful but long. The entertainment system wasn't working in the seats starting at row 32. I was luckily sitting in row 30. I really dodged a bullet on that one because even with the entertainment system I was going a little stir crazy. There was an empty seat beside a me which allowed me to expand a little which helped, but I still thought I was going to be sick about halfway through.

The lunch on the plane was predictably bad. Eggplant lasagna which might be good at any other time but not so much when you're not cruising at 30,000 feet. I ate bits and pieces of what I could stomach and let them take the rest.

This flight was different than others I've been on. Granted I was flying Delta for the first time when I normally fly United, but I was given warm towels to do what I don't know with and given an eyemask to help you sleep. I promptly lost the eyemask. It sucked. Still, I made do.

I arrived a bit early in Amsterdam and was able to calm my stomach before getting on the next flight where I was squished into the window seat, my least favorite position. It was a short flight back the way I came to land in Edinburgh.

I found my Spalding peeps right away, and we got on the coach to get to the hotel right away. There was a slight argument between the guide and the driver about when he could drive, but we soon made it to our hotel where my room was not ready. I had lunch with a few other Spalding fiction writers while I waited for my room to be ready.

Finally, I made it up to my modest room with a super tiny hallway/doorway. I started to get my barrings when Kasia arrived. We caught up and unpacked. I took a shower to get the airport grim off of me before collapsing in bed.

The welcome back dinner was at the Amber restaurant at the Scotch Whiskey Experience where there were too courses of fish. I was weary of eating the fish but I gave the salmon a go. It wasn't bad. The dessert course was cheese, grapes, oatcakes, and chutney. Not bad, but not exactly dessert.

It was good to talk and catch up with everyone. By the end, I was ready to leave. We strolled through the streets of wet pavement from the recent rain and I smiled to myself. I felt like I had come home.

July 12th - FlyPDX

Today starts my second year as a Spalding University MFA student. After spending four days bedridden from an illness, it's good to be out and about. I just hope my stomach will handle the journey. It's still a little tender.

I had all my bags packed last night so it was a long morning of waiting, especially after I dropped toothpaste on my shirt and it took forever to dry.

Fully dressed in a somewhat dry dress it was off to the airport. The lines at baggage drop off weren't too long. Security took about the same time. Now it's just the waiting game. Luckily, I've managed to find a seat next to an unused charging station and next to only midily annoying children. Soon, it's aboard the plane and in 10 hours we touch down in Amsterdam for a shirt layover before I arrive 'home' in Edinburgh.

July 12th- A Day in Roma

I woke up late today. Too tired from the day before. My tiredness/soreness plus my lack of planning made me put Florence on the shelf. I would spend the day in Rome, but first I needed to get things cleared with my room. Yesterday, when I returned after Pompeii my key didn’t work. I went down this morning and got everything figured out, even though it took me several elevator rides. First to get my passport and then another to have them once again reset my key.

I had a list of four things I wanted to accomplish today.  I headed for the Metro, knowing I needed as much help getting around as I could get. I went to my furthest stop to make sure that the Van Goghs were indeed not able to be viewed at the National Museum of Modern Art. They weren’t. I at least got to see a really cool turtle fountain. I headed back to the Metro and went one stop to the Spanish Steps to see the Keats-Shelley House. I hadn’t realized it was here until a few Spalding people had gone. It’s super small but has a beautiful collection of letters and artifacts from the Romantics. I spent a lot of time reading and just admiring everything. The house is the house that John Keats stayed at when he came to Rome trying to save his failing house. It’s the house which he died in. It was an emotional experience standing in those rooms. They also have the collected works of both Shelley and Keats you can read so I sat and read ‘Ode to a Grecian Urn,’ the poem Mr. Lovatt drilled into me every day. I love the Romantics. Although, I’m not quite sure why Shelley is included in the house since he didn’t live there.

I had planned on going to the Trevi Fountain next, as it was the next Metro stop, but I was too hungry from skipping breakfast and I needed a break. I went back to the hotel and had lunch. Unfortunately, they’re moving the kitchen so I couldn’t order my French fries, but I got a nice salad. 

Ready to again brave the streets of Rome, I went out into the sweltering heat making it to the Metro station. I debated with myself whether or not I was actually going to go to Keats’ grave or not. It was pretty far away and the sun was beating down, but I finally decided I needed to. I was in the room where he died, why not see where he was buried. The first Metro was a rough journey. It must have been a very old car. It would slam into each station, abruptly stop and then immediately open its doors. I made it in one piece. Crossing the street was quite interesting, as it always is in Rome. I walked around the pyramid and saw where I needed to be and then ended up walking the too far. I was able to turn myself around and reassess my map to find the right street to go down. I am getting better at map reading.

The cemetery was beautiful and not too busy. I used the Rick Steves guidebook and easily found my way to Shelley’s tomb. Shelley isn’t actually buried here as he was cremated, but he’s got a slab with his name on it adorned with fresh flowers. I read him some poetry. Next, I found my way to Keats’ grave, but not before I literary saw a weeping angel.

There was a large group at Keats’ grave, but after they also moved on I read Keats some poetry as well. It was a short visit, but I think well worth it.

Back across the hazardous streets of Rome and into the Metro station I headed back to where I started off from. My feet by this point were starting to get very angry with me. I knew I didn’t have a lot of walking left in me, plus the heat of the sun was not helping. I had to make a decision. A decision where I choose gelato and a museum over the Trevi Fountain. The National Museum of Rome, near my hotel and the Metro station chronicles the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. It came highly recommended in the guidebook and I’m glad I went. They had some pretty cool stuff. I visited each floor.

 

I had really wanted to end my day with gelato. I could have gone to the same place I had gone with Shawna, but Manuel had said this was the absolute best gelato in town. How could I say no to the best gelato in town? Plus, Manuel was spot on with his dinner recommendation. I slowly hobbled my way up and through the streets checking my map several times to make sure I was going the right way. And then there it was like a shining beacon. It was a little nerve wrecking ordering something at a non-tourist place, but I got through it with pointing. It was so worth it. Romana is the best gelato place. It was smooth and creamy and coated my mouth. The chocolate was good, but the hazelnut was amazing!

On the way back I did a little shopping and then had to lay down with my feet up to rest. I watched an Italian game show where the contestants had to fill in the blanks like wheel of fortune but the work was an answer to a question and then if they didn't get it right they were dropped from the trap door they were standing on.

After a good hour resting I got up once more. I had a little bit more shopping to complete across the street, mainly because I wasn’t going to walk any more than necessary and plus I really liked the guy across the street. Then back at the hotel for what I was hoping would be dinner and wine, but as I arrived Marco informed me that there was no food except for a Caesar salad. I said no to the salad but yes to the wine. Marco asked what I wanted the best wine or the beautiful wine and I told him to pick. He wanted the beautiful wine. It was beautiful. We exchanged a little small talk. He asked me where I had been because I looked so tired. He talked about the train crash, “modern trains on very old lines,” and I enjoyed my wine until I realized the wine on a dinner of gelato was not the best choice. I ate some of the crackers they had given me to help counter the wine, but I still wasn’t able to finish the last bit. Marco left, with a scooter helmet. Not what I was expecting at all. I paid for my drink and went and laid down.

Feeling better from the wine, I packed things up and took a shower. In the middle of my shower someone knocked on my door, but I couldn’t answer it and they never came back. It goes along with the strange 6am phone call to the room a few days ago. One more night before I was headed home.  

July 11th - Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii

It was an early start to the morning, especially after such a late night. I had to make my way over to the Piazza del Polpoto, the square of the people, to meet up with my Pompeii tour. I used the metro for the first time! I got a little turned around on how to get to the Metro, but I finally found it. The ticket machine was a little confusing, being all in Italian, and I kept trying to hit the wrong button to order more tickets. I finally got it, headed through the entrance and descended into the metro. It’s just like riding the Max back home.

I arrived at the square and ran into a fellow Spaldingite who was taking a tour of Capri. We went had had breakfast and waited. I had been a little worried about finding the right meeting point, but it was no problem. When the tour group arrived to check in there was a huge line for Pompeii. I had booked through ‘Dark Rome’ but it was the same tour on offer from several different sites run by citywonders. I got up to the front of the line and they wanted me to wait which immediately made me worried. I didn’t want this to be another Dublin. They assured me that I had a ticket. There was another group who hadn’t booked together and they wanted to go together. I was more gracious about it than another woman.

They first told me to go join Melissa’s group, but as we were walking to the buses they were asking the other women if she would change and she was putting up a huge fight which I didn’t understand because she was traveling alone. I volunteered to change and got put into Manuel’s group with two others from my original group. Although I’m not sure how Melissa’s group turned out, Manuel was amazing!

The drive down to Pompeii was 3 hours, and we broke it up in half, stopping at a shop with bathrooms. A good portion of the way own, Manuel gave us a lot of information, talking about the surrounding area, Italian life, and Italian food.

Our first stop was the hike up Mt. Vesuvius. We had an hour and 20 minutes to make it up the mountain, a supposedly 30 minute hike, and back down. There are three souvenir shops along the way. Once you meet the first one, a supposedly 10-15 minutes, you’ve done the heavy lifting and completing the steepest section. It was grueling. The sun was hot and the ground was soft. It was almost like walking on sand. Not what I was expecting. I made my way slowly stopping at each of the four benches to stop and catch my breath. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it in time to actually see inside the volcano, but I kept at it. I climbed and climbed and climbed. They stopped having benches and I had to stop along the railing. At least the view of Naples and the Bay of Naples was beautiful to look at. Finally, I made the first souvenir shop. I really wanted to make it to the second because there is a terrace just beyond that has the best view according to Manuel. I didn’t make it that far. The third souvenir shop was out of the question, but had the same view and just put you on the other side of the volcano. Even though I only made it in between the two shops I was still able to enjoy the view for a little time. It’s crazy to think that the volcano could blow again. 600,000 people live in the red zone and have a fatalist view on life. Of course Manuel had told us all about the dangers as we were driving up to the volcano, but assured us that it wouldn’t erupt today. It’s heavily monitored.

I saw Manuel heading back down so I headed back to. I didn’t want to miss the bus. The way down was much easier than the way up had been even with slipping. There was this group of three French boys that were driving me crazy. They kept running and sliding on the rocks which caused dust to rise in the air. Not cool. I got my token pin, grabbed a PowerAde, and got back on the air conditioned bus.

Time for Napoli pizza. I was set at a table of an Australian family, one of the two on our bus, and a fellow West Coaster from LA. The conversation was mainly about sports which I had little to add to. And my obsession is with British culture not Australian culture. I didn’t think they would appreciate my mention of Satisfaction (a show about escorts) or Project Runway Australia the only Australian shows I’ve watched. I added to the conversation when I could. The pizza, which was supposed to be the star of the show was okay, but not amazing. I loved the thick crust, but the toppings were bland and looked nothing like the Margherita I had ordered. The salad was really good though.

After pizza, we again climbed onto the bus after having to wait in the shade, ugh! It was a short drive to Pompeii where we met our local guide Louisa. We had the handy radio sets again as she led us through the ruined city. Pompeii is amazing! It’s amazing it survived. Mt. Vesuvius has erupted covering the city in ash and rock which helped preserve it. You can still see the drawings on the way. A forgotten city. Beautiful. I was surprised to see all the houses so close together. From the forum there are spectacular views of Mt. Vesuvius, and I can’t imagine watching it explode the ash into the air 12 miles high. It would have been frightening.

Leaving Pompeii, we headed back to Rome, stopping once again halfway through at the shop where we were treated to a wine tasting. Amazing wine. We then were treated to a series of restaurant recommendations from Manuel. He then went through the bus to mark on the map where things were if we wanted. He had recommended a vegetarian place which I had him mark and then a few gelato places I asked him to mark as well.

Getting back at 8:30 it was dinner time and I headed out for the vegetarian place which was close by. I ended up taking the long way around, but finally found it. The staff wasn’t super nice, but I had a vegan summer burger which was one of the best meals I’ve had in Rome. A family brought their dog in to eat with them. And not a eye seeing dog either. The waiters brought a water dish for the dog. It took a while to get my check, but I finally paid and was once again on my way. I had wanted to visit the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain and I knew they weren’t too far off. I made it to the Spanish Steps which were blocked off and tried figuring out how to get to the Trevi Fountain, but after having a bad run in with a guy on the street passing out roses I didn’t want and then wanting money for them I was ready to go home. I turned around, back down into the Metro and rode home.

I washed Vesuvius and Pompeii off of me before collapsing into bed. I was worn out.

July 10th - The Final Day

Yesterday was the last day of my first residency with Spalding. It was a full day of bittersweetness. The morning started off with an amazing lecture from Ed Boland about his book Battle for Room 314. I so have to read his book now. It’s about his experience teaching kids which didn’t go as planned. Something I could really connect with. This was followed by our travel journal readings. I read twice and it felt good to share. Morning classes ended with a follow-up to the cross-genre assignment. We had all turned in a 2 page script involving architecture or art object of Rome. The faculty read through them all and picked a few to perform.

And they were hilarious. The ideas people came up with were great and the faculty really know how to ham it up. Plus, my script was chosen!  Seeing my words performed for everyone was surreal. Nothing beats watching Sena use a ‘blaster.’

Lunch was low key in the hotel with Mary. I decided to use the time to also book a tour of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius instead of braving it on my own and having to worry about everything.

The afternoon started with graduate student readings. We had two excerpts of novels and two performance pieces. All were amazing. It’s cool to think that one day that will be me.  Graduation rounded out the afternoon which was an interesting affair. It was a simple ceremony in the same room we had been in all day. The graduates walked in from the back of the room with golden laurel wreaths adorning their heads and Atul decked out in a toga. Unlike other graduation ceremonies, this one had audience participation. We all hummed the pomp and circumstance tune as the graduates walked in. At the very least, it made you feel a part of something. A couple speeches, hooding of each graduate, and presentation of diplomas and it was done. What could have been a super long day staying in the same room all day zipped by in no time.

The only thing left to do was eat. Our farewell dinner was across the street from where our welcome dinner was. And it wasn’t as good in my opinion. The first course was a great pasta dish with vegetables. That was followed by a vegetable lasagna which was way too cheesy, plus I was already finished with the first course, but there is always room for desert. Especially when that desert is tiramisu. 

Back at the hotel it was time for hugs and goodbyes. I met up with Greta who happened to also be in Italy, and we joined the others on the terrace for the night.

July 9th - Musei Capitolini, Lakes in the Alban Hills, and Wine

Today was our half free day half tour day. I started the day by sleeping in until 7am. It was glorious. I was even able to eat a good breakfast. I knew there was stuff I needed to do at the hotel, but I wanted to take advantage of the day and my time here in Rome I was bummed when I found out that the National Museum of Modern Art was being updated so the 19^th 20^th century rooms I was planning on visiting, to see Van Gogh, were closed. I needed another plan, so I got my Rick Steves book out and decided on the Capitolini Museum. I found my route and headed out. I took it slow and steady. I knew I had the afternoon left to do so I didn’t want to overtax myself after finally feeling better.

I ended up taking a different route, but I still ended up in the same place. I was able to enjoy looking at the Roman Forum a little bit more before heading up to the Capitolini Museum. The museum has some nice pieces and beautiful huge frescos. I got a little mixed up in my directions at first and couldn’t find the rooms I was looking for. Finally, going the wrong way round I found the Medusa head, the boy taking the thorn out, Brutus, and of course the she-wolf suckling Remus and Romulus, the ‘founders’ of Rome. The museum also has the original statue of Marcus Aurelius, the copy is in the square. What was also amazing was the view! I was able to see the whole city!

My time was winding down at the museum, and although I had meant to go to the other side through the underground tunnel I missed it and ended up leaving the museum. I got to see what I wanted to see so that was good and I had to get back to the hotel anyways. On my way back I stopped by Tarjan’s column and market. The Column is intricately carved and beautiful.

I went back a different way than I had come which posed a few problems, but nothing major. I knew the street I needed to be on and I could see it, but there was also a set of stairs. I should have taken the stairs as they were a shortcut, but the long way around let me know that I was going in the right direction because I recognized the route from the bus, so not a wasted detour. I made it back to the hotel without any sidetracking! I was so proud of myself.

I made it back to the hotel with enough time for lunch before we all boarded the bus for the Alban Hills.

The tour was nice a relaxed. We had only three stops and minimal walking. Our first stop was a view of Lake Albano and the Papal Summer Palace. Beautiful lake with a nice charming town attached. You really wished you could be on the water on one of the sailboats. In the distance you could see towns cascading from the cliff. Being out of the city was also nice for a change.

Our second stop was in a town known for its small strawberries, delicious small strawberries, and a view of Lake Nemi. While others decided to explore the town, I was content to sit on a bench and eat my strawberries. I even got to pet a cat which made me miss Nimbus.

Our final stop was for our wine tasting. Getting to the wine tasting was an adventure all on its own. We pulled up to this huge bridge, which we were told was a local spot for suicides. We then had to take the ski lift up to the town. Our guide was convinced we could fit 20 people in it, but that was never going to happen. First it was buzzing because we were over the weight limit. Two people got off and the buzzing only stopped when I got off, great confidence builder there. Even with the buzzing stopped they still couldn’t move and they had to shed a few more people, that made me feel a little better. I hopped onto the next car and was able to look around the place with its magnificent views while I waited for the rest of the group to join.

Then we walked down the street to this small restaurant where we were having our wine tasting. Honestly, it was more like just drinking wine rather than tasting wine. They filled up a glass of red wine and a glass of white wine and offered refills. Then came the food. First I had a plate of olives, olive oil bread, and a whole bunch of meat. On top of that we already had a giant loaf of bread on the table. I ate the bread an olives and wasn’t going to do anything about the meat. They waited until after they passed out the meat to ask if there were any vegetarians. Willamaye finally just told them and they exchanged my plate for a plate of grilled zucchini, eggplant with roasted red peppers, and an egg quiche thing. It was sooo good. Our wine tasting tour came to an end, too abrupt for most. I had tried both the red and the white wine and had preferred the white wine so I thought I would drink the red wine first and savor the white wine, but when I got almost done with the red wine it hit me hard and I was done. Others got cute little to go cups of their wine. Instead of taking the ski lift back down we had to walk a back and forth half step half ramp trail down to the bottom. I’m surprised everyone made it down safely. At the hotel we had to say goodbye to our wonderful tour guide.

The night ended with the first, the best gelato I’ve had yet (Carmel and chocolate fudge which tasted like brownie batter) and then second, a drinking party on the 8^th floor terrace. I drank a little bit of wine and had some good conversations, but then it was time for bed. One more day of classes and my first residency is over! I can’t wait for next year in Edinburgh.