Enel visit was today. Ultimately they are a large power company, but they have a huge media component as well. It took us some time to get there because Tram #3 just did NOT show up and it was also an extended ride to the facility. Some parts of the ride were through industrial areas, but the rest were through more of the typical Rome-style neighborhoods. Even the areas that are clearly a little more rundown are interesting to look at. The fact that the buildings are so old makes the less maintained nature of some of those buildings look like a part of the architectural style
We did eventually make it to Elan. We were welcomed into a very colorful collaborative space. We first heard about the communication strategies then we had time to play a bit. Some students were interviewed live on the Elan radio station!
The other students worked in teams and conducted interviews in the Elan TV studio. The fact that they have a completely functional radio station and TV studio is something we have not seen before.
The radio station does actually broadcast over the air. The TV station can, but mostly functions for internal and external promotional/corporate style videos.
We had some downtime in Rome after to explore more, eat, shop, have a drink and some gelato… of course!
The evening was a REALLY unique opportunity. There is a facility that teaches pupils how to make Italian pasta and then caters a dinner. This is not your normal cooking class though… it takes place amongst the ancient ruins of The Temple of Asclepius on the Tiberina island.
It is from the III century B.C.
We were deep within the structure of the ruins. There was even a lounge area with a plexiglass floor where you could look down on some of the ruins.
In the class, the group learned to make gnocchi… egg based (I believe) instead of potato based… and a ravioli with a filling of ricotta, asparagus and some seasonings. It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of laughter and I think some of the students really had a natural ability for it!
Five of the students and myself recorded the entire experience. We will be putting together several promotional videos for the company about the pasta prep experience and the dinner. The students also conducted an interview with the owner that they say went REALLY well.
The dinner itself (the pasta everyone made) was delicious (though… even for ME was a little light on the amount of food). However, the meal included some good wine and an ending shot of limoncello.
Dessert was pannacotta with a delicious sauce of fresh strawberries and strawberry juice, topped with fresh shaved chocolate. Not normally my style of dessert, but it was VERY good.
This was our last night in Rome. It meant some celebrating for the students and for me, packing up so I was ready for our bus to Assisi in the morning!