Nickname of the day: Genova la Superba - Genova the Proud

So last weekend I ended up going to visit Giuditta (my former professor) in Genova and had an absolutely great time.  She was kind of nervous because she wanted to be "doing something" all the time.  She didn't want me to be bored.  But, honestly, visiting places that i used to live in, is not like that.  I didn't feel obligated to do anything.  It was just nice to visit with her, see things, eat food, drink coffee, you know, be lazy.  It was really nice.

So I found a direct train form Firenze to Genova leaving at 8am and arriving at 11am.  It also happened that the democratic party of Italy was hosting a party in Genova.  So I walked aorund the port looking at tents and saw a great sign:

Who knew that the Sugarhill gang was still together?  And that they would be in Genova???  Anyway, I eventually made my way to the villa and saw something that made me sad:  the remains of what was once the best bar in europe:

So what was once La Pinta: an american bar has become Babylon, and according to Miss New Giudi is decorated with Scarface posters.  Quite strenge.

The villa was fun.  I found Angela and Andreina's daughter in law in the kitchen.  They cooked up some meat ravioli, sliced pork with sauce, and a salad for us.  Giuditta found me in the kitchen.  And later I found Sylvia in her office.  Giudi and Sylvia think I lost weight.  And Giudi thinks I could use a tan too.  Oh well.  So at lunch Sylvia didn't clink her glass with her spoon, but she did make an announcement and introduced me to the others who didn't know me.  It's kind of a strange group this year because all 11 of the students are post bac (they are getting a graduate degree in architecture but did not have an architecture related degree in undergrad).  So thats quite strenge.  Anyway, Giuditta got two cartons of gelato from Casteletto that were incredibly good.  She got a bunch of differnet flavors but I stuck to my favorite:  fragole (strawberry).  I also forgot how the coffee machines work.  After lunch I made myself an espresso but forgot that I have to tell the machine to stop.  So I had my espresso cup filled to the very tippy top.  It was kind of funny.  It was nice to see everybody; I even got an invitation to the villa party.  unfortunately I"ll be in berlin so I wont be able to make it back.  The grotto in the garden now has 2 turtles, although I can't remember their names.  So they're cute.

After lunch Giudi eventually had to go back to work.  So I walked her back to her office and then I got the keys to her apartment.  I found the apartment easily enough and dropped off my bags.  I then just walked around the city.  The weather was so nice!  It was like I was back in a dream.  I was just wandering around the mideval quarter of the city, in the shade, surrounded by cold bricks, and fun boutiques.  Although I didn't end up buying any clothes, I was tempted a few times.  Later that night we had the requisite apertivo at Cafe Latino.   We get drinks and the bar gives us sandwiches, breadsticks, cheese, and lunchmeats.  Oh, and this time they also gave us some lasagne.  Pretty good stuff.  Eventually the rest of the babies from clemson came down to piazza dell'erbe to join us.  Its strange because I think only one person is actually from SC.

That's all for now.  I will give an updated post with the rest of the weekend.