POSTED BY STEPHEN
After three days in Modena, I can tell you that we are in love! In truth, it has been easy to fall in love with every city in Italy. (just ask Suzy!) Each city we have visited has been very unique and beautiful. Also, we have met the most amazing people at each stop.
Modena is no exception. We have finally met up with Alberto Farinetti, the GSE Chair and coordinator for the Italian RC District 2070. Alberto is responsible for the oversight of our entire program. He has clearly worked very hard on making sure we have had an incredible trip. It is a pleasure to meet him and spend the week in his hometown.
On sunday, Alberto welcomed the team into his lovely countryside home. It was a beautiful day! We spent the day sharing a wonderful meal and lots of sunshine with all of the host families. As the afternoon drew to a close, Alberto briefed the team on the itinerary for the week. The program he put together is fantastic! I cannot say enough about his enthusiasm, dedication to GSE, and kindness. We are very lucky to have him as the GSE Chair!
Alberto has a beautiful horse farm in the country. We enjoyed walking the property on just a perfect afternoon. From left to right: Alberto, his nephew Guido, his son Andrea, Ann, Stephen, Susan, and Susan's host Paola.
The Farinetti horses are beautiful. I am looking forward to sharing the pictures with my sister, Kristal. She has two horses. My sister and 8 year old nephew both enjoy horseback riding.
Monday 5-24
On Monday, we were given a great tour of Modena by Architect Emilio Montessori and Professor GianCarlo Gagliardelo. Both rotarians were extremely knowledgeable and interesting!
Tuesday, 5-25
Organized by RC, the team toured the Alcisa pork processing plant in Bologna, Italy where they make Mortadella. Morgan is posing in this photo in the nifty threads they provided to us. the tour was very interesting and fun.
Later in the day, we visited the Tizzano Winery. Although we enjoyed a terrific tasting, Susan found great glee in the clever advertizing on the sugar packets. :-) Suzy is focusing on taking a picture of the various wine bottles.
In the picture above, the team is posing with the winery owner and Rotarians who arranged for the trip (and kindly bought wine gifts for each of us)!! The RC President posing with Suzy let us call him "Franky." (I am not sure if this was his nickname before today) He was extremely friendly and kind. Susan and I practiced out Italian with him during a car ride to Bologna University. I think our Italian is really more of a "Itanglish"!!!! Vut we keep trying and getting better each day!
The beautiful city of Bologna, Italy- Home of the first University.
This evening, we presented at the RC Modena. Held in a beautiful restaurant in Modena, the meeting was terrific. We enjoyed meeting the Italian District Goveroer, Mario Biraldi and his wife. We also got to see Drs. Giuseppe & Livia Albertini again. Guiseppe is the Assistant District Goveroer.
We were delighted to also see our Italian friends Katia and GianLucca again. Both were members of the GSE Italian team. We got to know them while they were in our district. It was awesome seeing them. We have now seen everyone from the GSE Italian team during our stay! Both teams will all be together again at the District Conference this upcoming weekend!
GianLucca presented on his GSE experience in our District 7630, made up of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
So much more to say but this is pretty good update on the last few days!
Buona Notte!
Stephen
Suzy driving!
