More Nooks or More Crannies?

Yesterday despite the threat of rain a large group of Umbra students went on a traipse around the city. While not academic in nature, the tour wasn't just to point out panoramas and good restaurants. Umbra staff member Zach Nowak lead the tour, an almost goofy collection of tales (true and otherwise) about Perugia. Students heard stories such as "The Salt War" (or, Why The Bread Here Is Horrible), "The Orphans of Via Alunni," and "The Aqueduct That Brought More Debts Than Water." The tour will be repeated in a few weeks for any other interested students.

Welcome Aperitivo

Wednesday night was the first all-student event sponsored by the Umbra Institute. The venue was Argentina, Perugia's newest restaurant and hip place for an aperitivo, a before-dinner snack with friends that Italians can't do without. Students were feted with a selection of Umbrian and central Italian cheeses, salami and dried sausage (taste that fennel!), and all took place on the terraces built into the Etruscan wall that surrounds this beautiful hilltop city. The students' next appointment is tomorrow's Perugia Nooks & Crannies tour - sign up in the Bartolo building today.

A Fresh Beginning

This past Friday, students arrived in Perugia to commence the fall semester. As if right on time, the crisp fall air breezed in with them, cooling the city off after a humid, hot summer.

This weekend students participated in Umbra's orientation, first moving into their new apartments and unpacking, the exciting realization settling in that they get to live here, in this authentic medieval town, for the next four months. Four months of an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime.

Benvenuti Umbra Students Fall 2009!