The group from UAB (the University of Alabama at Birmingham), consisting of nine graduate students and two professors, have been meeting on a regular basis in preparation for the trip. The meetings were serious and structured at first: how to convert money, what to do in medical emergencies, how to ask "Where's the bathroom?" in Italian ("Dov'e il bagno?")....to more important topics, such as haggling with vendors and ordering a glass of the house red wine ("Vorrei un bicchiere di vino rosso della casa.").
Last weekend we all gathered at the house of our wonderful professor (professors) and group leader Dr. Tyson for an Italian potluck. We may be broke graduate students, and the majority of us may have never visited Italy before, but we produced some serious Italian food. The menu included meats, cheeses, olives, bruschetta, pastas, meatballs, homemade pizzas, and, most importantly, Bellinis.
For those of you who are not familiar with the Bellini, you may thank me at any time for introducing you to this amazing beverage. A Bellini is simply pure peach juice and Prosecco (Italian champagne). Simple, yet life-changing.
I have already formed a special bond with each and every person in our little group, but I cannot wait for the memories we are going to make together on this trip. I've already warned everyone that I'm not a morning person and I need my occasional quiet time to stay sane. And I know everyone's little quirks will come out over this trip. But I can't wait, because I know everyone's little oddities will make me bond to them even more.
Signing off to sip on my Bellini.
