Verona Day 1

Yesterday I arrived by train via the snowy Brenner Pass and was welcomed in the evening twilight by a friendly frater at Domus San Bernardino.
I signed up for a two-week language course, and today, before the course began, there was a small interview to assess my level. I ended up with the busy, narrow Ornella, who patiently and enthusiastically tries to teach the intricacies of Italian prepositions to an American retiree, two nuns from Eritrea, and me. The three of them are in Verona for several months, and I am 'La Nuova'. Ornella tells me that without Corona, the classes are larger. Surprisingly, I am the only German student. The other language students - I haven't actually seen any male participants so far - come from Turkey, Spain, or even Taiwan.

The course takes place until 12:15 PM, and then the pre-spring sun manages to warm the air to a mild 12°C. There is still slight frost at night, and in the background, the snow sparkles on the southern slopes of the Alps.