Buongiorno!
Today was another amazing, hot, and historic day on the Georgia Hardy Italy Tour! The itinerary included morning classes, an excursion to visit the famous Ancient Roman Forum, the much-awaited Coloseum, shopping, and going out for dinner!
Classical Civilization students began learning about the Ancient Greek Civilizations including the Minoan and Mycenaean’s. Instead of a typical classroom setting, they ventured off to the highest hill in Rome where they enjoyed the view and a carousal ride overlooking the amazing city. The students learned how these civilizations developed their culture and formed their country’s future.
English students started class off today with a quiz on one of their novels, The Agony and the Ecstasy. After that, they prepared for the historic tour today by continuing their reading of the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. This was very interesting preparation for the tour of the Forum as they could visit where history that they are learning about took place! Students visited Caesar’s memorial as well as saw where famous speeches and most of the story took place. The final portion of the class involved watching the movie, Angels and Demons, a fictional story that took place in Vatican City. This movie included much of the history, architecture, and art that had been referenced to in their studies, as well as will be viewed by those students attending the Vatican City excursion tomorrow.
Photography students presented two of their many interesting projects relating to the scenery of the trip. The assignments were to take pictures representing “colour” and “decay”. After that portion of class was over, students were given time to research and appreciate their favourite photographer’s work.
The Italian students had an exciting class applying their learning of words and phrases in different locations of Roma! They visited the train station where they learned how to speak phrases involved with traveling. Later on, they went to a super market and learned vocabulary relating to purchasing and weighing food in an authentic market.
All students were let out of class at around 1:00 pm to grab delicious cultural Italian food, or unfortunately in some cases, McDonalds, to energize them for the long and exciting tour ahead. Once everyone was ready to go we began our walking tour through Rome. It is amazing how it is nearly impossible to not see something of historical significance at any time. The Roman Forum is a rectangular plaza surrounded by the ruins of the ancient government buildings of Rome. Students viewed many statues and monuments that commemorated the city’s great men, while desperately searching for shade and Rome’s fountains for water. The students were intrigued by the history that took place here such as famous public speeches, criminal trials, and commercial affairs.
Our next stop was the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire. Students were fascinated by the great work of Roman architecture and engineering. Bones and architectural findings of different animals that the ancient gladiator’s fought really interested the students. The Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas, so all students were able relate their studies.
Once the tour was over, students split up to either relax at the hotel after a scorching hot day, or to walk along and browse the Italian shops. Our group enjoyed going out to dinner at a restaurant tonight, instead of at the hotel. Students were served delicious, authentic Italian Pizza as well as a salad and soda.
Another fantastic day in Roma! Ciao!
Alison Landry
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