The Weekend....

...was quite busy.

Friday night, the other tutors at my school and I had a beer (ok, TWO beers) after class as we were incredibly stressed out by our overexcitable children and then decided to spend the night on the town. We went to our homes and got dressed in our finest and headed to the central square (by the Duomo) where there was a free concert featuing Tokyo Hotel, 30 Seconds to Mars (Jared Leto's band), and a bunch of Italian artists. PLUS there were cheap Nutella crepes and you could drink beer on the streets - what more can a girl ask for?? Later, we walked about and had a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe and were served by a tres cute waiter...in a tux!! Yes indeed! Well worth the 6 Euros!

Saturday, my house mother Assunta took me on a quick tour of the main sights of Milan - La Scala, the Duomo, the beautiful Galleria near the Duomo etc etc....We did not go in anywhere, but I returned to the Duomo mid-afternoon to see the inside AND WAS REFUSED as my skirt was too short. Because, you know, God hasnt ever seen my thighs. Right. I spoke quickly to Lonnie as she was on her way to have her hair done and had a little cry that I was missing the wedding festivities, but cheered myself up with a grande Gelato (my second of the day!). In the evening, Assunta took me out to dinner with the kids and a couple of her friends to a LOVELY Italian restaurant where I had a fantastic Diavolo (spicy salami) pizza and some good chestnut beer from Corsica. A bit tipsy, I fell asleep before 11pm!

Today, I woke early (as the children are awake by 7am it is hard to sleep in) and decided to head to Lake Como, which is about an hour from Milan by train. I arrived just after noon and had a nice walk (and, of course, my daily gelato!) before accidentally meeting up with some of the other tutors with Lingue Senza Frontiere. We rode paddle boats and had a bellini at a cafe, and then an Australian girl and I headed to the museum where there was an exhibit featuring Picasso, Renoir, and others. The design of the museum itself was worth the price of admission (pictures to follow, I promise!!!!).
Lake Como is incredible. Polluted, but warm water and lots of boats and places to sit and read. The lake itself is quite a bit larger than I thought, so I didnt see George Clooney's villa, but it is easy to see that the town is chock full of money. I bartered for a lovely bracelet made in Indonesia, and talked the seller down from 9 Euros to 4, so felt proud. I am looking lovingly at it now! I also suffered a bit of a sunburn on my upper arms (AS I WAS SLEEVELESS. Yes. Me. Sleeveless in Lake Como, and there are pictures to prove it! Woot! Go me!) and back, but at least I will be tanned when I come home, right?

I've just gotten back into (hot and mosquito ridden) Milan, and am about to head home for an early night as I have to face the children tomorrow. I still have no idea aobut my second camp. To tell the truth, the organization is a bit dodgy. I am happy to be here, but would like a bit more security. According to one of the tutors who worked last summer, it is not uncommon to be told where one's next camp is the day before you need to leave. My fingers are crossed for Florence! Please cross yours too!!!

Missing everyone TONS, and cant wait to see everyone, and spend a few days in NOTL with Bowser and family!!