Ping! It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s always right.
It’s almost a physical thing: every once in a blue moon, something arises that seems just perfect for me, both in terms of my desire and my ability to do it. And when it occurs, I get an almost physical Ping! reaction that says, “That’s for me.”
Through pure serendipity, I became aware of the Mary Elvira Stevens Traveling Fellowship, available only to alumnae of Wellesley College over age 25 (yes, I qualify) to financially support purposeful overseas travel for “persons with good temper and a natural generosity of view when confronted with alien conditions, common sense in observing and comprehending social, economic, and political situations, a strong desire to travel, and a deep love of beauty.” Ping, ping, ping! That’s me!
So I wrote a proposal and budget, got three letters of recommendation (thank you!), and put together a resume for the first time in thirty years. I had an interview last Wednesday, and a few hours later, got word that I had gotten the fellowship.
So what “purposeful travel” do I have in mind? Italy, of course. My first priority will be to spend a month in intensive language instruction, trying to improve my Italian from terrible to barely competent. I want to seek out different cultural experiences, like a course in mosaic-making. My friend Tonio Creanza, who led my art restoration and olive harvesting experiences, has already put my in contact with a winery owner and a shepherdess, who I hope to spend time assisting as they go about their work. I’d like to spend a few days walking the Via Francigena, a 10th-century pilgrimage route.
Most important, I want to become a part of the community where I’ll be living — go about a daily routine, shop in the market, attend the local soccer matches, meet the neighbors. I’ll be there for about six weeks, which is realistically the longest I can be away from my job. My only obligation to Wellesley, besides staying out of jail, is that I email them one or two updates while I’m there.
So where should I go? My friend Nancy twice did a language school in Lucca in Tuscany that she loved, so I am leaning in that direction, but I’m more oriented towards the South or even Sicily, so I’m also checking out schools there.
That’s what makes this double fun. The experience itself will be great, but even better, I have a year or so to plan, and I welcome any suggestions. I’m sure it will end up being a paradox of choice, but right now, the options are limitless and it all seems exciting.
A lot remains to be seen. Can a 72-year-old brain actually learn a language? Can a pathologically shy and ill-at-ease person actually interact meaningfully with a bunch of strangers, in another country, no less? Will I chose the “right” places to go, and the “best” things to do? No matter. One thing I’ve learned in life is that the Ping! is never wrong.
Gigi's Italia 
This is such great news. I hope to follow you there in another year or so! I will be following closely.
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So happy for you!!! And loved reading about the pings–I get them sometimes too!
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oh, how wonderful!! Congratulations!!
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Wow! How cool! Congratulations! I’m guessing there are no bad choices in where to go.
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Cara Gigi,
First congratulations! What an amazing and exciting experience for you. I am pea green with envy as that’s exactly what I would love to do. I have a poor grasp of the language and never seem to find the time to study seriously.
My first solo trip I didn’t have the courage to sign up for language class. Instead I chose mosaics which turned out to be more difficult. And since then Ray has traveled with me and he isn’t interested in taking classes of any kind. He’s a dear but we are not compatible in this area.
Of course I will recommend Otranto because they have a school https://www.porta-doriente.com https://www.porta-doriente.com/ that teaches Italian or I can introduce you to my friend Valentina if you would prefer private lessons. She provided them for me a week before my book tour in Italy. She charged (two years ago 15 euros per hour).
My dear friends Chiara Lodi and Antonio Pisino own a mosaic shop http://www.officina-mosaico.it/index.asp http://www.officina-mosaico.it/index.asp in Otranto. They are master artists and in the off season do restoration work. I can introduce you and advise them that you want private classes. They are experts and so lovely. I am also an introvert as is Chiara. But once you are in their tiny shop working with them a life-long friendship will blossom. The cost for the mosaic lessons will depend on size and materials use. I created my starfish mosaic with them last year and this year I want to make a tree of life for Book #2 in the Cat Gabbiano mystery series. It will be released June 15.
Making a mosaic with the these wonderful people is a delightful experience as their workshop is tiny and opens off of their tiny store front which they keep open during your lessons. So people come and go. In October they are conducting a private class for my group of women. There are 12 of us so they will close the shop for a morning and each of the ladies will make a small piece for a souvenir.
And yes, I know the best restaurants in Otranto and you can take the train to Lecce and other places if you want to leave the charming walled city. And Chiara and Antonio will invite you to go with them to Marta’s. I wrote about that restaurant experience in my travelogue last year. It’s something you would appreciate.
Of course, I love Sicily and Lucca and have spent time in both. I have a friend that took Italian lessons in Lucca and if you choose that area I can connect you with my friend for information.
Sicily is such a mixed bag….both with the language and the mosaics but Taormina and Siracusa both offer classes. Depending on the time of year you are there, Taormina can be overrun with tourists. I’m reasonably sure there are language classes in Siracusa. We’ve stayed on the little island Ortiga (connected to Siracusa by a walkable bridge) several times and they have one of the best markets and you can find an apartment right on the sea.
Oh gosh, wish I were going with you…..being part of the community is why we have decided on Otranto as our go-to place. Making friends and understanding the culture and history (both the good and the bad) from the view point of our friends has been so rewarding.
Stay in touch and let me know what you decide and if I can provide more information, I’ll be happy to.
Abbracci Donna
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Thrilled for you! I’m in Italy now and happy to share some suggestions privately. You go, girl!
Dianne
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Your Dad would be so proud of you————you go girl!
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This is fantastic, Gigi! I can’t think of anyone more deserving or more suited to this experience.
Please keep us in the loop as your plan comes together. Yay you!
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Enjoy! Learn! Report!
Sarah R
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Gigi, this is Louise Treitman ‘74 and I look forward to talking with you about your plans. I have lots of Italy connections and am planning a similar thing with language and living in a place. Get in touch.
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