Standing on the Edge of Reality.

*Cinque Terre, Italy

Hello friends and family. I have gone 100 mph the last week and I finally have a chance to sit down and share what I have done in Italy with y'all. Thanks again for all the comments. There was like 20 of them and I don't really remember what they said but I am glad that you guys have been keeping yourself entertained. I have been jotting down notes on my hikes/train rides to have a give you an accurate account on what has been going on. So I shall begin...

Arriving. I step off my Beauvais to Pisa plane. I am immediately in my element. I used my Spantalian when I was in Pisa and the excitement was growing. My goal: Get to the Pisa train station because the last train to Firenze left in 45 mins. I made it to the station with plenty of time to spare and I get my seat. Plug in my ipod and listen to songs that reminded me of last summer.I step off the 10:30 pm Pisa to Firenze train. Such a great feeling you guys. The night was alive in Firenze. The same street entertainers, shops and clerks, streets, buildings, smells, everything. Firenze is my second home. I know Firenze better than I know north Springfield. So I buy a bottle of wine for Jackie, my teacher and friend, and I make it to her apt. because I was going to stay with her for the next week.
I was greeted with hugs and she made me a great dinner because she could see that I was famished. Jackie, Todd (other teacher), and Tom (Jackie's bf and my guitar mentor) will be my friends for life. A great welcoming.

I got up the next morning and got in my Florentine run. Took a familiar route and was just loving the fact that the bakers were just pulling out their first batch of bread. Went to Michealangelo's Piazza and sat for a long while. Something happened at that moment. I usually have no problem thinking about baseball at any location. I simply could not think about baseball here....I tried today when I was there but I can't....There is just too much beauty around. Your mind is at ease and you use your eyes for the first time in your life.

Later on my first day, I met up with this year's class of kids that Jackie is teaching. They were happy to see me and the feeling was the same on my side. Chase Vincel is one of my buddies from high school that I didn't even know that was going to be on the trip. He immediately came up to me and said,

"Tony, I am so glad you are here. Jackie said 'Good things will happen when you are with Tony.' "
"Well, I am glad to see you too brother. This is going to be a fun week."

I am just going to give you a brief overview of some of the things I have done during the weekdays.

*I cooked a meal for the whole class, my Poor Man's Lasagna dish. They licked the bowls clean. I then showed the girls how to make crepes. They were so appreciative of it. I gathered my dessert ingredients: Bananas, chocolate syrup, strawberries, apples, cinnamon, and whipped cream. I showed them how to do it in one demonstration....then they took over. The girls absolutely loved the fact they were making these crepes and just had a ball. I was so happy to be giving them my recipe. I was happy because they were happy.
*Most of the nights are filled with wine and walking. The nightlife is so phenomenal here. Street musicians, art, statues, and clubs. I even saw the same Latin Jam Band outside the Academia Arc. Just perfect. It is an unspoken role that I have taken as well. I am the tour guide of the class. All I need is an umbrella to let the group know how far ahead I am. I couldn't be happier guiding these guys to a good time. We go to the same bars, clubs, and hangouts.
*My afternoons are usually spent with Tom while the kids have their class. We play guitar together and he has taught me so much. He is really impressed with what I played for him and he said I have a Spanish tone. He said it's from you, Momma. Not only has Tom mentored me on how to be a good guitarist but I have learned a little about the person that I am trying to be.


*Playing the Guitar next to the Arno

"Tony, you are an entertainer. You are not happy if other people are not happy. You have to be the leader. People look up to you and you have to deliver a good time. If not...all is lost. You need to strap a guitar on your back and teach the world how to have a good time. If you can't strap a guitar on your back...you need to find the girl who will carry it for you."

I love these sessions with Tom.

*I had a great Italian night. Chase and I didn't want to club it up one night so we went to a square on the other side of the Arno, (Major Italian river), and made our way to Santo Spirito Piazza. Now this place was bumping. There were atleast 1000 Italians hanging out, playing soccer in the streets, drinking wine, and playing music. It was great.

Now the last topic is about Cinque Terre. I decided to take the whole class, 14 kids, to Cinque Terre. Jackie was completely ok with the fact they were going with me...but again...shit....I have only been here one other time. I also go at a different pace than most people. But I will tell you right now these kids know how to move and not doddle. Oh I'm sorry, I haven't told you...

Cinque Terre is the most beautiful place that I have ever seen.

It sits right on the Mediterranean and has 5 beautiful towns. When the kids saw the view from the train for the first time. They all gasped in awe. I did the same even though I knew it was coming. A funny thing happened when we all got off the train...
I gathered the whole group off the train. The crystal blue water was just crashing into rocks behind me. I stood on a step and started the tour. I was explaining where everything was...the Lover's Walk (a walk along the 5 lands), Riomaggiore (the town we stayed at, the cool bars, and dinner destination. I noticed that other people were gathering behind the class and was getting information. I then yelled to one of the squakers...
"HEY, this info. is not free my man. That'll be 5 Euros my friend."
Everyone laughed.

This past weekend was great. Beautiful views, hikes, and old memories of the past summer. I have photos in my mind for life.

Well, I am leaving to go see Michealangelo's 'David' statue right now. I will talk to you guys when I get back into France tomorrow evening. I love you guys and will talk to you soon.