Before leaving home a few weeks ago, Papa made arrangements with the University of Arizona Study Abroad Program, to visit their Orvieto campus. We arrived yesterday morning in Orvieto, a dramatically situated hilltop town rising from a vertical butte of tufa. We were met by Claudio on his motorbike and led through the city gate to park. We then met Alba, the Director of UA Study Abroad Program in Orvieto, and she and Claudio began a tour for us. First we went underground to see some of the Etruscan dug grottos, wells, and bird roosts, dating back to the 9th century BC. Besides their work for UA, Alba and Claudio are also archaeologists, so this was special for them to share with us. We went up on top for a walk through the city, with its festival banners hanging. We met several UA students studying this summer in Orvieto, and then went for lunch with some of them. The lunch was incredibly delicious on a small piazza, in a beautiful setting. We so enjoyed our conversations and hope to stay in touch with Maggie and Kim, UA professors that live in Tucson, but are spending their summer teaching in Orvieto. Alba and Claudio then walked with us through the Duomo, covered in frescoes from the 14th century.
We were so impressed by the UA Study Abroad Program in Orvieto and the opportunity students have to spend there. Their lives are changed from the experience. We had a wonderful day!
We were so impressed by the UA Study Abroad Program in Orvieto and the opportunity students have to spend there. Their lives are changed from the experience. We had a wonderful day!
