Blowing in the wind.

I had my last day with the cooking school at Dante Alighieri.

Naturally there were about three times more students than usual: 11 students, which doesn't sound like much but is a lot more than 3 (as I had in my class the day before that). It left less time for taking picture and made me do a lot more translating, as there was a family there that didn't speak a lick of Italian, though they definitely knew how to say thank-you in Spanish.

Working here is a riot. I translate for tourists that come to learn how to cook, though half of the time English is their second, third, fourth language. Not their first. But that's ok. We always make it work.

The food is incredible. We always make four courses, and always make our pasta by hand. It doesn't get much better than that. Want to hear some of what I've made?

-Torta Salata ai Porri Leek torte

-Pici con l'aglione Pici with garlic

-Soffice di Cioccolato con Panna e Menta Chocolate custard

-Patate Arrosto alla Toscana Roasted potatoes

-Tagliolini al Limone Egg pasta with lemon sauce

-Panna Cotta con Frutta di Bosca Cream custard

-Ravioli Burro e Salvia Homemade spinach ravioli with sage

Friends, the list could go on. This food is scrumptious. I think this is enough to make your mouth water though. Mine is.

Leek tort.

Gnocchi in the making.

Stirring some potatoes. Hard work.

Chef Luisa. She's spunky, sings, calls everyone her "bambini", can wash dishes and show someone how to do something at the same time (or so it seems) and makes anything taste good. Even rabbit.

Slow exposure of the moon and city, off of the terrace where we eat dinner.

When I had to stop working at L'Osteria del Gatto, I foolishly did not want to switch to Dante Alighieri. I was terrified to translate and didn't want to work until 9 at night. However, now I wish I had gotten to work there more, as the interactions with the students and the chefs I had while there are some of my favorite memories. The night I came home from working with Nando I was ecstatic- we had talked for over two hours, just us, about life. About the world. About things that matter. And he doesn't speak English. Best. Feeling. Ever.

Saying good-bye to Luisa Thursday night was incredibly difficult. Every day I keep having to say good-bye to someone, and I feel myself being sprinkled throughout Siena.

It stinks.

Currently, the men in the apartment across from mine are trying to get my attention. They can see right in my room, and apparently think I'm going to answer to "Scusami? Scusami?". Fantastic.

Now they threw in a paper asking me to go eat with them. Dear me.