Camp Paradise

I didn't think it was possible to put summer camp and paradise in the same sentence, but in Sorrento, this is the case. At this ACLE camp over 70 children have signed up to participate in the two week English immersion, complete with a swimming pool and fountain, tennis court, soccer field and a full bar with views of the bay of Sorrento.

Day one was intense. With 20 students and only one tutor (me), I was challenged to keep their attention and make a strong first impression. Not easy when you have perplexed teenagers who only want to swim ALL day long. As the day's events got underway I was making progress and forming bonds. I found that pool time was a great way to casually speak English with them and to use games to disguise grammar lessons. I'm learing that preparation is the key to this job. Never let the energy die.

Last night was my 10-year-old host brother's final soccer match of the season. It was a big event and the parents were as enthusiastic as ever. Medals were handed out for good sportsmanship and a successful year. All of the parents snapped photos and praised their sons for a job well done. The women prepared all of the sweets and cakes for the post-game ceremony. As the sun set on the hills of Sorrento my family and I drove back home for a late meal of penne with zucchini and shrimp, zucchini parmesean and fried zucchini flowers, all from Ondina's garden.

Sanremo to Sorrento

First note of importance: my camera is rotto (broken). It is on a UPS truck back to the US to be fixed, but until then a disposible camera will have to do.

As if Sanremo wasn't spectacular enough, I was assigned to one of the most incredible cities in Italy for my 1st camp - Sorrento. It's on the south west coast of Italy near Positano, Amalfi, Capri and Naples. I arrived yesterday evening after 12 hours on the train and was welcomed into my host family's house with a late dinner of local cheeses, meats and delicious salad with home grown tomatos.

Pippo the eldest of the two boys proudly escorted me on a grand tour. His mother, Ondine, is an architect and interior designer so each room of the house is rich in character and contemporary details. I played with 1 1/2 year old Domenico (Domi for short) prior to a much needed shower and sleep.

Show me the Way to Get Down!

There's no denying it. ACLE tutors in training have been given the license to have fun 24 hours a day. We're all between the ages of 19-30 but don't let that fool you. Nothing makes us happier than singing songs, dancing, playing games and having competitions. It's exciting to tap into my imaginative, playful side and it's fantastic to work with like-minded, enthusiastic people from all over the world. Our group is small, less than 30 tutors, so we've really been able to bond.

Sadly our group will be dividing up tomorrow and each of us will be shipped off to one of the 180 ACLE camps that are operating around Italy. We're all anxiously and excitedly awaiting the news of our destination.

Picture Perfect Pigna

La Pigna is a photographer's dream. Italian for "the pine", this section of Sanremo is part of the old town and filled with local charm. It was the destination for our ACLE group dinner on Tuesday and as we climbed the steep streets to a tiny piazza we quickly realized we were in for an authentic dining experience. Carmen, the owner of Ristorante Ubricia Vivas and close friend of the ACLE staff, wasted no time welcoming our group with plates of focaccia and pitchers of wine.

Three local women, grandma, daughter and grandaughter sat aside our tables on the steps curiously listening to our foreign accents. The local children zipped in and out of the piazza on their bicycles, making sure to stop by to stay hi to Carmen and give her 20 cents for an ice cream from the freezer. A clever cat sat beneath our tables, waiting patiently for scraps.

As the Sanremo sun sank behind the square we reveled in the spirit and beauty of what I am certain will be just one of many beautiful nights to come.

Hello from Sanremo! Stopping by an internet cafe before heading to day 2 of orientation. Weather is already 80 degrees and the sun is bright!

Day one was packed with activities and events. After departing our hotel, Villa Maria we walked 30 minutes through the quaint cobblestone streets of Sanremo to our orientation destination, an elegant white villa with beautiful staircases surrounded by lush gardens and flowers. We learned lots of lessons, games, songs and received a ton of information about the structure of our camps.

After a long hot day in the sun, a group of us decided to hit the beach for an evening swim. The sea was chlly but we took the opportunity to practice our songs and games in the water! My teammates are all so enthusiastic and our directors are really motivated to making our experience here as authentic as possible. More to come...

Good AM New York

Today I snapped a photo of one of the nicest people in New York City, my local AM New York newspaper man. Every day for the last year he's been stationed outside of the W. 4th Street subway, spreading the local news and some local cheer. I don't know his name, nor does he know mine, but we always exchanged a spirited greeting as I scurried along to work. Even on the most bitter cold winter day his smile could warm you and his scruffy New York accent was as authentic as it gets.

Cheers to you, Mr. AM New York. Have a great summer...

The Final 48 Hours

It's Friday at 1am - the countdown to Italy begins. Pack up apartment, check. Buy travel insurance, check. Get international driving permit, check. Write first entry of my new blog, check!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by my impromptu farewell soiree on Wednesday. Despite the unseasonal chill it was a wonderful evening that reminded me of how lucky I am to have such devoted friends.

Today is my final day at Vh1. I hope someone sends me a farewell Monk-E mail. I think I'll hit The Lodge cafeteria for old time's sake. Maybe even take a cheesy photo with the Naked Cowboy and stand in the middle of Times Square to soak it all in one last time. I'll miss it here. The people, the creativity, the laughs and the Dale & Thomas chocolate caramel popcorn. A dear colleague delivered a bag to my desk yesterday as a farewell gift. I'll have to return the favor with a huge block of Parmesan cheese.