Hercules obviously had an aweful engine.

First I feel I need to correct my last blog. According to John Rose, I do not “lay” in my bed, I “lie” in my bed. I am sorry if this may have confused some of you. I will work on the way in which I position myself, and then making sure I correctly describe the method in which I did so. During the time I’m not studying grammar in my second language (Italian), I will be learning grammar in my first language (English) from John Rose. It is peculiar to be graduating from college and just now be learning the proper way to speak and write.
This weekend has been filled with amazing opportunities in Italy. When you travel somewhere and met people, you find that then quickly become good friends, even if you only know their first name; “acquaintances” progress faster to “friends” because they are almost indispensable to having a valuable cultural experience. I have only spoke with Lucy, Alberti the bike man’s wife, a few times, but she has now become my friend! Coincidentally, her brother runs the discoteca . Because I bought a bike from her husband, I was able barter for a discount at the discoteca!
This is the joy of living in a small town in Italy. But, it also has its disadvantages. I am hoping soon that the 10 American girls living in Palazzo Alberti will become old gossip in Sansepolcro. As of now, we are getting way to much attention. But, this is not attention in a good way. We get many looks, as if we are aliens. Giacomo, my friend from Sansepolcro, whom I met in Ferrara, explained this phenomenon. He said that it is neither the way we dress, nor the color our hair or eyes, but our mannerisms. I guess some things are so deeply rooted in culture that even a pair Italian boots or sunglasses cannot redefine a person.
On Saturday night we went to a pizzeria outside the city walls. The girls and I were accompanied by Giacomo uno and due, our new found partners in crime! When I asked if we good order water, Giacomo uno responded, “Si, Si per lavare le mani!” (Yes, Yes, for washing your hands!) Apparently, it is strange to order water in Italy. Red wine is the more appropriate companion with pizza. I must say, I agree! After dinner, we went to the discoteca and I was happy that I had a little more to drink than water. I’ll leave the rest of this night’s details up to your own imagination…
Sunday, we visited Monterchi and Caprese Michelangelo, the place of Michelangelo’s birth and baptism. While I thought the later would be of more interest, found the legend of Monterchi more fascinating. Apparently, it is said that the town, which is situated on a mountain peak, was at one time surrounded by water. In the water there was a big monster. Because everyone was terrified by the monster, they never left the town. But Hercules came and saved the town by killing the monster that tormented it. Today, Monterchi is one of the most beautiful places I have visited in Italy. And I didn’t see any monster, so Hercules must have been successful!