Saturday in Italy is even better than a Saturday morning with cartoons in Winnipeg!
The students wandered down to the town square where there was a huge market set up. Everything from shoes, to electronics, to fresh fruit, was being sold right there within the walls of the old city. The girls seemed a little more interested than the boys, but those guys sure made great bag carriers! We've also come to love the Italian dogs that join their owners everywhere. Tons of dogs calmly strolled through the market as seasoned veterans. From yorkies to huskies to pit bulls, it seems that everyone has a well behaved dog to take wherever they go.
After our morning in the market, we hopped on the buses and took a trip to the village of Marostica, Italy. The town is surrounded by a stone wall that dates back centuries! Within the walls, some students chose to grab some food and relax at the base of the hill, while others ventured to the switch backs in hopes of getting a view from the top, looking over the area. The students did an incredible job motivating each other and ensuring that their friends made it. It was a very difficult climb, and a commemorative photo was taken for the top 5 finishers, who were in heavy competition for the rights to be #1. After what seemed like walking at an 80º angle to the top, they were able to climb onto the lookout and see for hundreds of miles. Check out today's photo album for some pictures form the top. The climb town was no easy task either, and actually took much longer. Following some down time in the town square with snacks, hacky sack, Frisbee, and naps, we all packed up in order to make it back to Bassano del Grappa for the band performance.
With a loaded bus, the gang began travelling into town to set up for their first concert! But alas, the moment a shoe touched the sidewalk to head out, the rain came crashing down. Following a brief rain delay, they did make their way to the cloister within the walls of Bassano del Grappa. After a quick set up, the band was able to crank out a few notes, but then mother nature decided that it was time to take her anger out on the performance. As the rain began to fall, the Westwood Collegiate Eurotour Concert Band disassembled the performance site faster than any of us had ever seen!!! Unfortunately, the rain was there to stay, and we had to wait under the overhang until the rain was light enough to talk back to the hotel. Hopefully Auerbach will bring us the weather we need for the students to let their performance do the talking.
Another amazing dinner followed the storm, and once the skies had cleared, students were able to wander back into town and take part in the Saturday evening activities of the town. They truly enjoy emersing themselves in the local culture, sharing stories and trying to talk to locals, and spreading the Canadian kindness that is so important in our country. We are continually told how magnificent your children are, and how kind and curteous they have been in each and every city we've visitied. You should all be very proud! Tomorrow we shall try to perform again, and hopefully this time, mother nature will respect the fact that we have brought all of the instruments many, many miles. Check back tomorrow to find out what happens...same bat channel, same bat time!
