Bittersweet Ending

It’s still surreal that when I wake up tomorrow morning, that will be the last time I’ll ever wake up in Paderno del Grappa, Italy. I still don’t think it has fully sunk in that my four weeks here are coming to an end in a little over 24 hours. The summer program has been so full of great opportunities to go see surrounding areas, take pasta and pizza making lessons, long weekends for travel, and meeting new friends that four weeks has felt like just a few days.

Tuesday night, as a celebration of our time in Italy, we got to take part in a gourmet dinner in Castelfranco at the Fior Hotel. As we were getting ready to board the buses for the ride there, it felt like high school prom all over again with everyone taking pictures. When we got there, we were taken to the back outside area with large tents set up for the appetizers. When they told us we very well could fill up just on the appetizers, they weren’t kidding. They also served quite a few different drinks. My favorite one was a wine and juice mixture.

Once we were inside for the main courses, we were served a risotto dish and a pasta dish before the main course of veal, potatoes, and mixed vegetables. All the food was delicious and paired perfectly with wine.

For dessert, we had what I would call fruit pizza, only this fruit pizza was better than any I’ve ever had. The fruit was fresh, the crust and filling were perfectly sweet, and it made for one delicious combination. I don’t think I saw a single plate with any left at the end of the night.

We finished off the night with a shot of espresso and around midnight, we loaded the buses and came back to campus. My 8:00 class came way too early the next morning, but I’m so glad we had the opportunity to take part in a real Italian gourmet dinner before our time here ends.

Today, my mom arrives for our two weeks of travel after the program so I won’t be going home right away, but it’s still weird to think that I’m already finished with CIMBA. I’m not so sure I’m ready to be back in America quite yet, so I’m really looking forward to the next two weeks of travel with my mom and two of her friends.

Ciao!

Kelsey