Gardaland

Not sure what I was thinking about a week ago when I received an e-mail from Masa asking if anyone would help him chaperone a trip to Gardaland for the middle schoolers. I think my thought process was that it would be fun to go to an amusement park and ride a couple of rides and hang out with my past students. I don't think I was thinking that I was going to throw a Halloween party the night before at my apartment and then wake up bright and early for a two hour bus ride to the park.

But it was great! The weather was beautiful. I was able to get another hour of sleep on the bus before the volume level woke me up. And we only had to check the kids in once throughout the entire day. During the rest of the time Masa and I were able to play.

Pumpkin Decorations that were scattered throughout the park

Then onto Atlantis. Which I didn't ride because I didn't have any desire to get wet. However, it looks like there is the threat of splashing, but that is not really the case. But I didn't really mind sitting and hanging out for a while.

Atlantis

Masa and Oglimare taking the plunge

Outside the Atlantis Entrance

We had time for one more ride and I made the mistake of pointing out a very impressive sign for Tunga. It looked cool so we walked through the entrance to find that it was a water ride that literally just floated down a river lined with many different scenes from a jungle. I was a little energetic so I decided to make it an adventure ride and took a couple of pictures along the way.

The ride was getting a little crazy

The Natives we had to protect ourselves from

King Kong

Watch out for that Gorilla

Truly a Knight in Shining Armour

Masa as my henchman

Fantasy Land

After check in, Masa and I took off for a couple more roller coasters. The first being just a typical experience. While the second called the Sequoia adventure was nothing like I had experienced before. It was a series of three loops in which the car you are riding in flips 180 degrees until you are completely upside down. Then it flips again so you are right side up before reaching the end of the track and another flip happens. Masa and I were in the very first car which was a true adventure. I was screaming during the first flip because I was perfectly perpendicular to the ground for a split second before flipping entirely upside down. An experience i have never had before. After that ride I was close to having enough.

The Sequoia Adventure

But I had the stomach for one more ride and it had to be the Blue Tornado. Then I was truly done. My stomach was churning and I had a splitting headache. So we went to our check-in point and grabbed a coffee before the kids started to arrive. With the last strolling in only 30 minutes late. Masa was none too pleased. Even with the ending having a little drama it was a good day with the kids and we captured the whole crew in a quality group shot!

Figini Halloween Bash

Friday, October 23, 2009

The Figini women decided to throw the second annual Halloween bash this weekend. We weren't sure what kind of turnout we were going to get because it is the weekend before academic travel and many people were on duty entertaining the kids. But it was a success!

Me

Masa as a Japanese Tourist

Dan with his Poison IV

Jen as a Party Pooper

Carla and Allie as Germs

Beth and Shane as Girls gone wild

Brody and Joanna as The Gold Digger and Money Bags

The Elementary Women as A Rainbow

My IT buddies. Sky as an Asian Rice Farmer and Nic as The Ladybug - he forgot his costume so I dressed him up!

Andy as a Redneck ~ Best Costume

Emily as Candy Corn ~ Most Creative

Oops she lost her bottoms!

Lizzie as Paddington Bear

Cookie Races

Emily taking charge of the first round of the cookie races!

Tim just couldn't get that cookie

Kaycee and Sarah were neck and neck

Allie Dominating the Cookie Race

Val Masino Take Two

Monday October 13 - Tuesday, October 14

Last year's trip to Val Masino in Northern Italy was such a success that we decided it needed to be an annual thing. However, this year we planned the trip in the fall to start off the year for the sixth graders with something special. Also, to see if they were able to handle an overnight field trip in preparation for a potential trip to Rome in the spring.

We stayed in the same hotel as last year but this year was a little different. The wind was whipping through the valley at such great speeds it was causing a howling noise throughout the hotel. A couple of the kids scared themselves by telling ghost stories while getting ready for bed and they were knocking on our doors late into the night because they were afraid.

On Wednesday morning we woke up and had the traditional European breakfast of croissants and cereal before heading off into the valley. It was absolutely freezing the entire time and I was even cold with all of my gear. A couple of the kids were crazy only wearing shorts but they never complained once because they had been warned and a packing list was given. I guess they had a little too much pride to show their weakness.

The 6th Graders gearing up for the hike

Along the path we came across 4 beautiful horses just a stones throw away with a tiny fence separating us from them. The pony was off to the right bucking and running along our trail. While the older horses were on our left with the mountains as a backdrop. They truly looked like something out of a book.

The Horses

Later down the path we came to a rock that the kids are able to climb and we took our customary jumping picture.

Walking along the river

Finally we reached our destination with a beautiful falls where we took all of our group shots before heading out of the woods and back to the valley to enjoy our lunch behind a huge rock protecting us from the wind. With chattering teeth I started a boys verse girls soccer game to get the kids moving and warming up. The main challenge of the game was keeping the ball out of the river that was flowing behind the girls goal. It took a plunge a couple of times but the kids worked together to retrieve it by throwing stones and balancing on the rocks to grab it as it floated by. Celina was the master hoping from stone to stone recovering the ball.

The Falls

The Chaperone's ~ Lizzie, Emily, Federica and Guia

After lunch we headed inside a little hut to enjoy a little tea and warmth before heading back to the bus for our ride home. Right as we were leaving the sun hit the valley and the temperature increase by many degrees to make the walk back much more pleasant.

A Splash of Color

Friday, October 9 - Tuesday, October 13

Two years ago, I worked with two fantastic people who have since left TASIS. The first to get married, and the second to pursue her desire to live in London. They were both a huge part of my life at TASIS and some of the best travel companions. This past weekend, my girls were back in town to spice up life and catch up a bit.

Allyson arrived late Friday night in Lugano, so after picking her up we stopped at the Irish Pub to have a drink and say hello to a couple of our friends who work there. Early, Saturday morning I took off to Milan to pick up Shannon and Ellis at the airport while Lizzie and Allyson met up with Guia to watch the TASIS Elementary Soccer team play.

First stop was Como so that Shannon could do a little shopping and we could show Ellis around a bit. We enjoyed lunch in the main Piazza overlooking the Duomo.

Ellis was sporting his Como sweater, and Shannon was determined to capture every event on film. Some of the pictures being not so flattering.

After our tasty panini's we walked to the funiculare to catch a glimpse of Lake Como from above as well as to sample some creative pasta creations. The waiter was not fond of us just ordering one small pasta dish for the three of us so it resulted in us ordering two to split three ways. The first choice was Chocolate Pasta with mint sauce and the second Blueberry with orange zest. When they arrived we could smell the chocolates and the blueberry's but were still skeptical of the taste. However, they were quite good and we had no problem cleaning our plates. However, at the end of the meal our waiter disciplined us for using a knife on our pasta to split it onto three plates.

Ellis and I playing in giant wheels on our way to the restaurant

Chocolate Pasta

Blueberry Pasta

With full belly's we took a ride back down to the lake and walked to the market for Shannon to purchase one or two scarves as gifts. At least that is what she said they were for. It is questionable if they will actually make it to the recipients by the time she gets home. Then back in Lugano for a little nap, wine and cheese at Carols and a huge group dinner at Bellavista.

Then back to the Irish Pub for Shannon to make an appearance before heading to my house for a late evening of vino and conversation. The language barrier was broken and people were speaking English, French, and Italian and just hoping that someone would understand what was going on. By 3 am we all had had enough and the party came to an end.

Ellis and I at the Irish Pub

Sunday morning, after sleeping in late and having a lot of coffee we met up with the girls and went to La Posta in Carona for lunch on the terrace.

The Girls in front of La Posta

Emily, Shannon, Allie and Allyson

Ellis, Me, Lizzie and Carla

Slow Food Good Cooking

Then into Lugano for some Gelato before Allyson had to head off to the airport to catch her flight back to London.

Next stop was San Salvatore. After living in Lugano for a year and the funiculare for San Salvatore only being 15 minutes from campus Shannon had never been to the top. So we took the trip and were welcomed by beautiful views and sky's that almost looked fake. After taking a few pictures of campus and Monte Tamaro we went to the very top with the intention of climbing the stairs to the roof of the chapel. But that plan was foiled for a short period because the door was locked. Locked long enough for Ellis to go exploring inside the church for another way to the top, tripping the alarm as he walked behind the alter. However, with the alarm going off, it scared the couple who had locked the door behind them when they decided they wanted their own personal time on the roof. They descended the stairs with a guilty look on their faces and were welcomed by a long line of people who wanted to experience the view.

The girls

The whole gang

The View. Definitely Can't Complain

Jumping pictures

Ellis gets creative

Waiting for the funiculare we had a little fun on the playground.

Monday, I had to go back to work, while Ellis and Shannon went exploring in Ascona. We met up after work and drove to Morcote to try and purchase some vintage posters from a store that is only open from 2 - 6 four days a week. However, we arrived at 4 and it was conveniently closed for the evening. So we had to make due in a ceramics shop next door where Shannon was able to purchase many souvenirs and I finally bought my Swiss army knife. I know it is sharp because the store owner successfully sliced her finger with the knife as she was showing me what it included.

With time to kill before my favorite restaurant was open for business and waiting for Guia to arrive after tutoring we stopped at a little bar and had a couple of bottles of prosecco.

Prosecco

Shannon and I

The girls of TASIS

The dinner was very tasty and we spent a lot of time going down memory lane. After some goodbyes Ellis,Shannon and I went back to my place and I had to pack for my sixth grade field trip. Shannon poured us some wine and she sat on my bed while I packed. We never made it back out into the living room when I was finished so Ellis came and joined us and we finished the last night of their visit sitting on my bed with glasses of wine talking and laughing. I really miss having her here!