Zeppole

While all of the schools in Cosenza were closed on Monday, the one in Castrolibero was not.  Last night Virginia's students told me that they had a test, so I text Virginia to ask her if I could come in at 9 instead, since they would all be taking the test.  She said of course, and so that was my plan.  It turned out to be more like 9:15 because I took the bus and the first bus to come had changed its route that goes near the school, thus making me later.  When I got there, the students were still testing and so I just talked to Virginia a bit.  The students kept smiling at me, and one showed me her lady bug that this random lady gave us last night (we each got one), and she joked about bringing it for good luck.  She smiled really big when I pulled out mine and showed it to her.  The rest of the hour  was just talking to Virginia.  As promised, one of my students brought homemade zeppole.  It was good, but I've decided that the "bread" of the zeppole.

THen I had a two hour break where I worked on stuff.  Then I got to Angelino's class and of course he was not there.  So, the substitute sent me home, and I was not complaining.  As I was walking down the hill Virginia pulled up behind me and asked if I wanted a ride or if I wanted to go with her to Rende.  She felt the need to emphasize that Rende was another city!  She was taking me to her spiritual father's home where he lives in poverty!  She made him a pizza and was taking it.  It was nice to have an opportunity to spend time with someone.  She had me speak in Italian a little bit.  We went into the small chapel and it was tiny.  Everything was in these two tiny brick buildings.  The chapel was tiny, but beautiful.  Virginia took some time to pray and then we left.  She said that she would bring me here for Mass on Thursday, but I doubt she follows through. 

She dropped me off "near" my apartment and I went home to eat lunch.  I talked to Nick for a while, and then went to meet M. to go to the Fiera.  I met her in Piazza Kennedy and then we went to meet some of her guy friends that attend a different high school.  We just walked...a lot. M. and I talked in English most of the time.  A few of the boys could say some things in English, and they did.  One boy primarily speaks in dialect, so I could not understand him.  They did make a really sweet attempt to get to know me, and I was so appreciative of that.  They bought quite a few sweets.  Eventually they had to head home, and it was starting to rain.  I ran to buy some mostaccioli, which is of course ANOTHER typical treat of the area.  Then we all walked to Piazza Bilotti together and parted ways!  Some pictures:

 

There is a trick...which I had to tell my students about

 

I came home to eat dinner, work on blogs, talk to Nick, and I also talked to Lilla who said that there was no point in coming to school tomorrow.  I am sure Francesca will be annoyed when I do not show up, but who cares. 

I ended the night with my usual of talking to Nick and working on blogs.