The End and The Beginning

Today is my last day in my Siena Italian Studies program... Maura left this morning for Rome and then she is off to France. I am so sad! I miss her, but I know we will keep in touch and she will come visit me in Utah! Vegas Reunion for the A Team!
Tomorrow Kyle, Mallory, and I leave early in the morning to catch the train to Cinque Terre. I am soooo excited to go there. There are beautiful beaches and supposedly the best pesto in the world.
I am staying with those 2 for the first night and then I move into the hostel I already booked.
Yesterday was amazing. Lavinnia (the program director) took us to these natural hot springs in the middle of the Tuscan countryside. There was a complete panoramic view of the most beautiful place I have ever seen! And I was laying in a giant natural hot spring pool. On the bottom of the pool there was this white mud that people were putting all over their faces and bodies. Lavinnia told us it was really good for the skin so we all put it all over us. I have funny pictures of that coming soon.
Then we went to a group farewell dinner that was soooo delicious. We had pasta, pesto, dessert, salad, zucchini, cheese, and lots and lots of wine. mmmmm
Later we met all of our friends in the Campo and had a beer. It was most of my friends' last night here in Siena. I spent a lot of time talking to Richard the South African. That was fun. He gave me a necklace. : )
This morning I woke up and saw Maura off with my host mom. I am drawing her a picture and writing her in Italian how much I appreciate her and what a great 'MOM' she was and what an amazing cook she is.
I understand Italian so much more than I did before.. well obviously because I knew nothing before I came. But I find myself reading signs and feeling more comfortable in stores when I have to ask for things. It's an amazing feeling and I am going to keep studying Italian.. and Spanish. then maybe French.
I wrote my final paper this afternoon. Its pretty good.. I am not gonna lie. And yesterday we took our final test for Italiano.
All the people of Siena are getting things ready for the Paleo. It is this HUGE and IMPORTANT horse race that they do twice a year. 60,000 people come each year and squish into the Campo to watch it. If you saw the Campo you would understand why that is insanity... Its not that big. I am kind of sad I will be missing it but I am glad I wont be trapped in a sweaty, hot, grumpy crowd of people for 6 hours. I am perfectly happy with watching it on the internet. I am going to try to come back to Siena for the August 16th Paleo. It has been really fun because each district in Siena has a symbol that represents them. My family's symbol is the Eagle for example, and each district throws parties, dances, and dinners for the 2 weeks up until the Paleo. Its craziness... and I really love how much commradery there is in each district. There are all very unified. I have never seen anything like it back home.
I am sad to be leaving Siena, but excited to start on the real adventure!!! And I am excited for freedom! And to go to the music festival! I miss my iPod so much and music in general.. i have found some good Italian bands that I am going to download when I get home.. but I need me some good American music. So... arrivederci Siena!!!! Be back soon...