Stonecarving and Whiskey Cake

So today was the first day of our Art class. I'm signed up for Stonecarving, in case anyone had forgotten. We met our professore at lunch today, but he doesn't speak any English so there wasn't a lot of conversation to be had. Shortly after lunch il professore and one of the managers from the center drove us down to his house/workshop which is just south-east (and about 300 feet below) our school.

We arrived and il professore showed us a wide sampling of his artwork and sculpture, much of which was really amazing. He had carved from stone a number of working machines, such as an olive press, a guillotine (with a guy in it...) and a paper press.

After touring his workshop for a while we were presented with tools that he made for us (which we will get to keep). He gave us some small stone blocks and told us to go nuts, which we did. I have to say it was a blast, I really really enjoyed it. There's something to be said for art that involves smashing rocks with a hammer, its very satisfying. I am pretty much sold on stonecarving as a very cool hobby, and if I can afford it I'm inclined to say I'll keep it up when I return to the US.

After class I went to the Porta Fiorentino (one of the gates in the city wall) where there is a computer store to buy photo paper for my studio class. On the way back I stopped by a cafe which I've visited many times and bought a tuna sandwich and a new desert they had available, I think it was their Tuesday Special. I was a little bit surprised when the camiereri offered me a spoon for the pastry, but I took it. So I ate the tuna and it was fine, then I took my first bite of the pastry and realised...

...it was completely saturated in whiskey!!

I mean, come on! It's a stinking donut for crying out loud!

Now, since I've been here in Italy I've found they really like wine a whole lot, and after wine they are big fans of beer and whiskey, probably evenly divided between those two drinks. They serve whiskey sours in the bar here, and they're quite good. But whiskey cake??? That's a little rediculous. I mean seriously the cake had no blinking red warning or anything, just a charming little cherry on top.

Whiskey cake... what will these silly europeans think of next.

Well tomorrow we're off to Rome, and we'll be staying through Friday when it appears that I'll be headed with a rather large group of students to Sorrento, which is south of Napoli near Pompeii. I think our plan for the weekend will be to visit the ruins of Pompeii and the museums in Napoli, and possibly spend some time on the Amalfi coast. The infamous Isle of Capri is right next to Napoli, and some kids are going there, but I think it's going to be about 20 degrees on the Island this weekend so I'm pretty sure I'll head back there in April when its back to warm weather.

Meanwhile some other people are going to Sweeden this weekend because its the cheapest flight out of Rome airport. Go figure.

Well that's about it for this week, I should be back to add a lot of new stuff next Monday and Tuesday. Ciao!