Blog #1
Blog by: Pip Byrne
First Timer on Tour
It is day six as I write this. I have finally found a computer, some time and a space to record our adventures in Italy.
So much has happened in these six days that I feel like we’ve been here for a month.
An inauspicious beginning . . .
Our journey began on a very low note as we had to leave one of our first year students behind at the Auckland airport. Due to mis-communication and mis-information she did not have the required visa for entry to Italy. The group was upset and saddened by this extremely unfortunate turn of events. Our lovely student was looked after by her aunt and course tutor, Tupe Lualua and a number of people, including Faculty Dean Kaye Jujnovich, worked to remedy the problem in a very short time to ensure that Pene could join us later.
In the meantime we survived the 36 hours of travel only to arrive and discover two pieces of luggage (our much needed instruments) were missing and that our hosts thought we were arriving in the evening.
There was very little in the way of assistance at the Rome arrivals terminal but thankfully my phone activated roaming immediately and I was able to contact our guides and sort out the problem. They were eventually able to let me know the arrival time of the bus that would take us to Cori. So we had only a 5 hour wait at the airport instead of the12 hours it would have been if we’d had to wait for the evening pick up.
Day One, Tuesday July 26
After leaving the airport by bus we were driven several kilometres south of Rome to one of many medieval cities nestled in the hillsides of the Latina region. As we travelled closer to our destination we passed olive groves, vineyards and Kiwi orchards. The stucco houses in shades of pale yellow and terracotta at times reminded me of Hawke’s Bay or Marlborough, except of course this was the real thing.
We were travelling in a large luxurious bus and found it astonishing as it wound its way up through the narrow lanes to the central Piazza of Cori where we were met by our wonderful enthusiastic guides. As we were arriving two days before the festival proper we were to be treated to many special honours. We were first hosted to a fabulous lunch at a local restaurant or Trattoria and feasted on pasta, chicken, sausages, potatoes and salads.
We were driven to our accommodation a short distance below the city centre in the elementary school. This has been decked out with dormitories in the classrooms catering for to up to 12 people in each room.
There were 38 people to settle in and masses of luggage to unpack and sort. The students, under the direction of their senior leaders carried out this task with speed and energy despite the long haul flight and wait at the airport. We were returned to the restaurant for a meal before finally getting the opportunity to crash into a well earned sleep.
Day Two, Wednesday July 27 – Whitireia stops the traffic in Rome
An early morning start saw us set off on an adventure to Rome. This would be the only opportunity to go sight seeing during our busy schedule here.
It was a brave move by our two guides. Taking a sprawling group of students and staff into the miasma of one of the largest and most popular cities in the world is no easy task. I couldn’t help but go with a mother’s concern – what if we get lost or separated? Again I was astonished at the maturity and responsibility of the students. Not a foot out of place not a wayward move.
We were all in thrall of the Vatican of course and despite the huge crowds we made our way into St Peter’s in a remarkably short time. This was an awe inspiring opportunity for our students, some of whom have never left their home cities. We followed this with a walk through some of the main features of central Rome including the Trevi Fountain.
Tired and wet after a lunch of fabulous pizza, which was accompanied by a severe downpour, we made our way to the Spanish steps. As we gathered for a photo on the steps Tuaine suggested an impromptu Haka. With the usual clamour of international tourists around the steps we broke into a powerful rendition of Ka Mate. What a sight, the traffic literally stopped in its tracks and people gathered as if they were drawn by a magnet.
Of course we were approached by an emotional kiwi, a Maori woman living in Denmark but visiting Rome that day and by chance at the steps when we were.
We were to return to Rome two days later to perform at the Piazza del Campidoglio with a number of other countries, and whilst that was an impressive display for tourists and dignitaries, this impromptu event on the famous Spanish Steps will stay with me always.
Day 3, Thursday July 28
So now all the countries are gathered - Ecuador, Israel, Egypt, Peru, Portorico, and Udmurtia (Russian Federation). Today three of us do the first show of the festival season in Cisterna, a city about 30 minutes away. We see the dances of Udmurtia and Peru for the first time. Whitireia performs last which shows a great respect for us – they save the best till last.
Our hostel is welcoming and full of the sounds of traditional music from all the countries visiting to perform. Physically the school is not particularly inviting. Some students have likened it to an asylum – and yes it has a kind of soviet feel being of concrete with not much adornment. But we all make it home as best we can. A singular local oddity for us is the toilets. They don’t have a toilet seat and seem to flush only when they want to. And, much to the chagrin of our girls, the doors don’t shut, let alone lock! It is something we just have to get used to.
Day 4, Friday July 29
The first of what will be a fairly normal, busy day. First up a trip to Rome to perform in the Campidoglio Square, followed by a gifting ceremony with the Mayor of Rome. We then walk to the Colloseum for official photographs. All this in the heat of the day. Tiring but awe inspiring. It is the first time we see Egypt perform. A very impressive display of a traditional dance where the men twirl in brightly coloured skirts which they raise above their heads and do other extraordinary actions with. They appear to become lost in a trance as they perform this twirling display.
We return to Cori for a late lunch and then hop onto a bus again for a show in Paliano approximately an hour away. We travel in costume as we must parade through the old city as soon as we arrive. This is common in all the places we go to. It announces our arrival and offers entertainment for those who can’t make the show. All the shows are on outdoor stages with many people standing and only the lucky few on seats.
The Paliano festival organiser, Mauro Salvatori, is a man of immense energy and enthusiasm who ensures we are treated extremely well. All groups are given a meal cooked by local restaurateurs. Our New Zealand contingent is then housed in local apartments, not schools like the other groups. We are much anticipated and treated like royalty here.
Day 5, Saturday July 30th
We begin the day with breakfast in Paliano followed by a show in the square and then lunch. Mauro takes the directors of the three countries out to lunch.
We return to Cori to prepare for a long parade in the evening. The parade is down through the city to the sports ground and in support of a local team sport called “Carosello Storico”. We don’t know much about the event and have to wait quite a while to find out. It is a cold evening and we are concerned for our students who must wait, semi clad as they are in Maori costume, for a further parade around the race track before being herded up to a sports arena where their food and bags with warm clothing are waiting.
Behind us there is a grand parade of medieval lords, ladies and knights on horse back. They are led by a band of turmpeteers, drummers and flag wavers. This is a much loved traditional spectacle of the Latina province. The province celebrates many anniversaries at this time and numerous cities have festivals, which is why we are travelling around to many centres to perform for them. With seven countries to choose from and three or four in each event the organisers are able to offer a wide variety of international fare.
The game “Carosello” turns out to be based on medieval jousting but has been adapted to a more modern version. Teams come from different areas of the city and rivalry is fierce. Basically each team has four horsemen who have to ride at speed and collect a small ring, which is suspended from a device right in the centre of the race track. The horseman must collect this ring by spearing it with a miniature joust-like stick. It is really quite extraordinary and a little bit peculiar. However it is enjoyable and great fun to be amongst the emotionally charged crowd of supporters.
Whitireia was asked to join the supporters of one team, this we did with great enthusiasm, despite the fact our team lost miserable.
We stumbled home exhausted only to find that half the team had been left behind as the shuttle bus that was promised didn’t turn up. They all arrived home safely but again a very late night and another day of parading and performing was to face us the next day. The students begin to show symptoms of sore throats and some require a doctor’s visit and medication the next day.
The following two days will be updated soon. I will just bullet point for now:
Day 6, Sunday July 31st
All groups are assigned at least two local guides who speak their language and can translate and take care of any needs. We have three lovely young women, one of whom is more proficient in English than the others. I have for several days been asking if I can get to the internet café during a break so I can check the flight schedule for Pene who has secured a Visa. I’ve also tried to explain that we will need a car to go to Rome to collect her. I manage to get the schedule printed off my email on Saturday and find she is to arrive at 7.45am on Sunday. With this in my hand I manage to impress upon Ilaria the urgency involved and the need for a car and driver. So she finally understands and organises for a friend to drive her car. He will meet Leisha at 6.30 in the morning.
I have to admit that I feel rather at the mercy of a situation I can’t control. So I get about 3 hours sleep after waiting up to ensure that our students got home safely the night before, and I’m waiting on the steps for our driver at 6.25. Of course he arrives at 6.40 but he does arrive.
There is a long anxious wait and several text exchanges with Wellington before I am assured by Leisha that Pene has landed and they are on the road back.
Tuaine and the students gather for a marvellous welcome for Pene. They line the corridor and sing to her as she steps through the door. She is over whelmed and so are we as she kisses every single member of the group. It is a long awaited emotional welcome. Pene is smiling and happy and very proud of herself for making the long journey alone.
She is thrust straight into the business of being at a CIOFF festival as we parade down to the local church for Mass. Each group has a role, singing and reading parts of the Mass. It is a moving and inspiring service and a truly international one – with Israel and Egypt contributing despite the differences between their religions and Christianity.
This is followed by a ceremony in the Square with the mayor and an exchange of gifts.
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