Vicenza

Day Thirty-Five

Started the day right, with a workout!  Amelia and I worked out in the gym on-base and it was AWESOME!  I go running in France, but today was nice to have a gym facility where I could do the rowing machine/bike cardio and get a really good sweat on!  After that we went to the USO and did some baking for those returning from deployment.  It was awesome.  We baked a batch of cupcakes, brownies, and a whole cake.  I love baking.  If I had all day, I would've just stayed in there and baked up a storm!  I can't wait to have my own kitchen to work on developing this hobby further.  :)  Then, we had lunch at the food court, Amelia was pretty stoked for some American food lol.  We had Popeye's!  You can't get fried chicken in France, lol.  Then we went to the high school and I was able to talk to a few students who had applied/were interested in West Point.  I was able to answer their questions and give them a contact for future questions.  That was really nice.  I love my school and I am more than happy to help anyone learn more about it.  It was really weird, though, being in a high school.  Too many memories of my awkwardness to be honest, lol. 

We then made a trip to downtown Vicenza again to see the Teatre Olimpico--part of the reason why much of Vicenza is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Dating back to the 16th century, it's the last design of Italian architect Andrea Palladio and one of three remaining Renaissance theatres in the world.  What a BEAUTIFUL work of art!  The stage is the world's oldest surviving stage set--from the 1585 production of Oedipus the King.  The design is  trompe-l'œil, where there is the illusion of a longer set dissapearing into the horizon--look at the pictures and you'll see what I mean.  The high school has their graduation here!  WHAT?!?!?  How amazing!  The seats for the audience are still the same wooden seats too!  Honestly, my pictures don't do it justice but here's so you can have a glimpse at the beauty.  It's incredible, one of the top things I've seen in both France and Italy thus far. 

Came back to the house and we had pizza!  Mine was delicious :)  I love lots of toppings: mushrooms, pepporoni, and onions.  Also, last night we had homemade risotto!  I don't remember if I mentioned that in the blog yesterday.  It was sooooooooo goood!  Tomorrow we have a very early morning heading to the Tuscany region to get away from the tourism cities and see the beautiful Italian country--I'm excited!  Then Sunday we're headed back to France, it's bittersweet.  This time with old family friends has literally been a Godsend, such a blessing.

 

Phenomenal

That's all real until the last archway

The same wooden seats from the 16th century!