Benvenuti Nelle Pagine Gianuzz

The following links are available from this page:

Home
Up
Italy 2

When I went to Belforte all'Isauro for language lessons I didn't know what to expect.  The whole idea started in November of 2000 when there was an outside chance that my employer might have a project in Milan.  I thought if I took some serious Italian language lessons, in Italy, that that would improve my chances of being assigned to that project.  Of course, I mentioned this to my brother and he was interested, also.  Well, the project never materialized but the idea of a month in Italy was too tempting to pass up.  In January, 2001, plans were made and deposits were paid for a one month course, in June.

Pictures on this page, and on page 2, are from time at the Giacomo Leopardi School in Belforte all'Isauro.  Chances are good that the village of Belforte all'Isauro will not show up on your map of Italy.  The town has a population of 701.  There were two bars in Belforte:  Bar Insonnia and the Music Bar.  The term "bar' has a little different meaning than what we are used to in the US.  Italian bars are a little bit of everything.  Mostly espresso, cappuccino, pastries and panini (sandwiches).  Of course, at night, the patrons become a little younger and the beverages of choice change from caffeine to alcohol.  In a small town bars also serve as the main hub for socialization and gossip: if it's happening, in town, someone at the bar knows.  Insonnia was open from 5 am until the last person left.  Gianni, the owner, and his wife, Jalila, were the only two employees.

Page 3 includes photos taken while I was on assignment in Naples.

You won't find Belforte all'Isauro on a 'real' map. Here it is, if you are curious.	This is the castle where classes were taught and where we slept.	The graduating class. It's a formal event held in the City Hall meeting room. The mayor provides "honorary resident" certificates.
Random picture of an old guy, Pepo. Everybody in town loved to talk with the students from the school. Pepo loved to talk about wine.	Angelo, one of the teachers at the Giacomo Leopardi Center.	Toke (Tokay), Marco and David in a thoughtful moment at the school.
A picture of Belforte in the evening taken from a castle window.	Toke after playing "formula one", a drinking game.	Fellow students.
John and Bobby, husband and wife students.	Gianni, owner of Insonnia and the host of all social life in Belforte.	Some locals, some students, at Bar Insonnia
The heart of activity in Belforte, Bar Insonnia, at a rare slow moment.	The beginners class: Penny, Joseph, Lauralea, me, Emanuela (the instructor), Donna, Junichi and David.	Angelo in the heat of battle during a furious game of F1