http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu A group of American students explore Urbino, Italy Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:44:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en MULTIMEDIA: Step inside a family bee farm. Reaching into the one of the square wood containers lined up on the hillside of their farm, Fabrizio Gabannini pulled out a thin frame of honeycomb. He gently pressed his index finger on the hexagonal pattern and a golden glob of "miele," or honey, ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/08/04/family-business-is-buzzing-2/ In the Italian Renaissance town of Urbino, where selling the past is a major industry, Filippo Battistelli seems to fit right in. He is a luthier, an artisan who uses ancient tools and techniques to craft musical instruments from blocks of wood. But there is one glaring difference: Battistelli is making ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/08/04/plugged-into-the-past-2/ Every group so far has been working hard on their perspective stories. The stories range from the city’s graffiti problems to  beekeepers, cresce sfogliate, and instrument makers, among many others. Throughout this month,  not only have I been able to participate in my own group’s  stories but also in the ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/08/04/honey-eggplants-and-nonnas-kitchen/ MULTIMEDIA: Attend Mass with Father Claudio The young man pushing through the double doors looks like a personal trainer or one of Urbino's most eligible bachelors. He sports a deep tan over a lean, fit physique covered by a blue form-fitting shirt, dark grey cargo shorts that stop just above the ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/08/03/franciscan-monk-final-ptalens/ When Pennsylvanian Timothy Bloom moved to Italy in 1993, one of the cultural adjustments required was getting used to state-provided health care. Sixteen years later, as his relatives back home debate a proposal for a similar system in the U.S., Bloom has some advice based on first-hand experience:  In his opinion, ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/07/30/italians-speak-up-about-healthcare-system/ Legend says the rain stops falling, the clouds clear and the sun comes out when San Crescentino’s image is carried outside the Duomo in Urbino. On the first day of June Urbino’s patron saint is celebrated with a special mass, procession and feast. However, this year the rain did not ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/07/29/san-crescentino-final/ In reading through my blogs, I have noticed that the difference between myself and Italians that I notice most often is language. I’ve talked about “what happens when that communication is outright rejected” in speaking about my encounter with the rude woman on the bus.  I’ve also talked about “Fritalish,” ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/07/28/untranslateable/ The hourglass that has been running since I arrived in Italy has almost run out. My time here will soon come to an end as I board a jet plane, heading for the States. I am happy. Happy to be returning to the place and people I love, happy to have made ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/07/28/goodnight-and-good-luck/ [caption id="attachment_1229" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View of Urbino from La Fortaleza"][/caption] Remember way back in kindergarten when we had those learning exercises and had to circle the shape, object or animal that didn’t belong? For example, there would be a row of four animals, three bunnies and one duck and you were meant to ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/07/28/im-a-duck-in-a-row-of-bunnies/ Looking back over the blogs I’ve written, it’s obvious this whole trip has taught me a lot about myself. I’ve grown here, and I’ve begun to see myself and others in a different way. I’ve even realized more about how people both in my own culture and in others see me ... http://inurbino.net/wordpress-mu/2009/07/28/what-ive-learned/