Ferra-who?

I mentioned Ferragosto the other day, and thought it worth while to expand on that a bit!  As most folks know, many Italians take a good portion of the month of August as a holiday – what I didn’t realize is that it is centered around the 15th [Ferragosto].

Here’s some more history that I stole right off of this site:

“Emperor Augustus, after having given his name to the sixth month (sextilis) of the Roman calendar, moved to August the festivities which took place in September to mark the end of the summer agricultural cycle. The feriae Augusti (hence It. Ferragosto) were marked by collective rites and by eating, drinking and sexual excesses. Slaves and servants were allowed to participate in these rites. These festivities which reached their peak on the 15th were so deep rooted that the Church preferred to give them a Christian cover, rather than to try to eradicate them. Since the VIth century AD there is clear evidence that the 15th of August had become the religious holiday celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Today it is the peak of the holiday season for the Italians, who all believe they have to go out of town at Ferragosto.”

My first Ferragosto was most excellent!  I do think we might have started a bit earlier than most people, but then, this is the tendency of the quasi employed.  :]  Catherine had some friends from the UK in town for part of the week, and we went out a few nights this week to celebrate with them and some mutual Sardinian friends.

The official weekend was spent having a lovely [and quite large] dinner surrounded by mostly Italian speakers, some evening socializing on the beach, and enjoying the company of new friends.  Saturday, I got to check out a beautiful new beach in and a town called Pula.  You’re going to hate me, because I didn’t take a single picture.  Sorrrrrrrrryyy!  But these ones on the internet are better anyway…

In the afternoon, there was a small picnic of sorts under these palm trees….yeah, my life is terrible.  :]  Take some consolation in knowing that I had to study Italian reflexive pronouns and their forms instead of taking in the views.  Sunday night, we returned to Cagliari for a small and most delicious cookout [I refuse to succumb to the word 'barbecue'] full of lots of local type fare.  I ate sheep!  And liked it…ha

A very full weekend and some intense Italian lessons early in the morning required that I call it a fairly early and uneventful night.

Despite my lazy inclinations, I’m trying to involve more Italians [thereby, more Italian speaking] into my life and I’m currently getting quite a bit of help doing that from some really great folks.  The same folks are taking care to introduce me to some properly Sardo cuisines.  I promise I will get better at photographing these things – I’m not sure what has happened to my shutter finger.

Other than that, I’ve taken on a few new students this week – one being my very first ‘Day 1′ beginner.  We’re talking, “I am, you are, she is…” kind of beginner.  Excitttting!  There is a new French girl in my Italian class – which rounds out an American speaking English, a Columbian speaking Spanish, and an Austrian speaking German.  We’re a mix bag, to say the least.  Oooh, and I went out with some of my schoolmates for an Italian speaking meal and pizza last week!

Anyway, unless you’re interested in hearing about Italian pronouns or the grammatical reasons behind using ‘speak’ vs. ‘talk’ in English, I need to get back to work!  Just got a call about another new student tomorrow!  Fingers crossed these turn into paid gigs in a few weeks!