Sant'Anselmo Demographics and Chainsaw Skills

Sant'Anselmo is truly a remarkable institution. There is such a diverse population of people from around the globe living here. As I've said before, one can see the world while sitting in the refectory eating a meal or walking around the main cloister. I thought I would analyze the data to let you all see how diverse a global community there is here.

The following is a breakdown of the number of people (students, faculty, staff, volunteers, etc.) who live here according to their countries of origin:

Argentina: 1
Armenia: 1
Australia: 1
Austria: 1
Belarus: 1
Benin: 1
Brazil: 3
China: 3
Congo: 2
Croatia: 1
Egypt: 1
France: 5
Germany: 8
Hungary: 2
India: 6
Iraq: 1
Ireland: 2
Italy: 7
Japan: 1
Kenya: 1
Lebanon: 3
Macedonia: 1
Mexico: 1
Nigeria: 3
Philippines: 2
Romania: 2
Senegal: 1
Slovakia: 1
South Korea: 5
Spain: 6
Switzerland: 1
Syria: 1
Tanzania: 4
Ukraine: 1
UK: 5
USA: 16
Venezuela: 2
Vietnam: 2

Total Residents: 115

It wasn't until I received the 2008-09 edition of the Collegio Sant'Anselmo facebook directory that I was able to see all of this. I knew we represented a lot of countries here, but it is pretty neat to see it all laid out in numbers. Keep in mind that these numbers represent only the people living here. There are other students, faculty, and staff who live elsewhere but still attend classes and work here.

In other news, work has been a bit wet lately. It's been raining almost every other day for the past couple of weeks here. There is sunshine and great temperatures one day then the next is forceful winds and lightning of the likes I've never seen before. It's kept the grass wet and work soggy, but still enjoyable. I am still working outside every morning mowing the lawns and doing my best to help keep this place beautiful. Lately, though, I've been using the killer chainsaw! Here's why: Sant'Anselmo sits on a high hill in Rome called the Aventino. There is a long cobblestone staircase that allows one passage to the street below. I mean it's really long with a bench halfway up for a quick rest for those who may be short of breath. In the vicinity of the staircase sits a ton of olive trees that tower high above the street and provide shade and shelter for the long staircase.

Here are the olive trees in the upper portion of the picture. The staircase begins where that building is to the left. The stairs wind down to the Via Marmorata down the hill.

These trees get cluttered every couple of years and it is necessary to cut some of the branches off to allow more sunlight to reach more of the trees, so that's where I've come in lately. It's fun cutting with the chainsaw; however, it's when I lug the branches up the massive staircase that things are a little less enjoyable. On the upside, it gives me a nice workout. I must have made 30 trips up and down that staircase today hauling logs and branches. There are olives all over the stairs now. I'll probably have to clean that up later. Hope nobody slips on an olive in the meantime.

Here are a couple of pics of me finally reaching manhood:



So, that is in the morning. In the afternoons I work inside in the Portineria or the Front Desk at Sant'Anselmo. I'm being baptized with fire into learning Italian through working here. Lately, I've been learning Italian faster than initially anticipated so I am content. However, here have been my most common responses to the people who come up to the desk or call on the phone seeking answers:

Non lo so = I don't know
Mi dispiace = I'm sorry
I don't understand = Non capisco
One moment please = Un momento per favore
Please repeat = Ripete per favore
Excuse me? = Mi scusi?
I don't speak Italian very well = Non parlo italiano molto benne

The good news is that there is always someone closeby to help me if I am truly at a loss for words. And most of the time, working there is pretty relaxing. My Italian is getting better, I feel. I don't know who said it, but I hope they were right when they said it can only get better from here. There was also someone who said things need to get worse before they get better. Hope that's not the case! I'll try to get a picture of the portineria up here sometime soon. Try not to stay on the edge of your seats for that one. Until then, keep on truckin'.

Salute,

Brady