Capri: Day Seven

Who could believe it, but my weeklong stay on Capri is nearing its end. Today was a nice day and a fitting end to the week. After staying up late last night working on our presentation, I found it very difficult getting up this morning. The sunlight eventually got me out of bed and I wandered downstairs for breakfast the same time I usually do. For a good chunk of the morning after that, we just hung around the hotel. The rooms are quite pleasant when the huge doors are open, a breaze is sweeping inside, and sunlight warms the tiles.

By eleven we had made it to the beach, our ultimate goal for the day, and the second time I’d been to a beach on Capri. What a lovely day today was. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, and just warm enough when you were in the sun. I had to work on my tan lines, since there was beginning to be a beard tan line, and that would just look odd. Only a few minutes after we got to the beach Doc and I decided to be the first in the water. I stayed in much longer than the other day, despite it being just as cold.

This time I did a little swimming. We swam to and climbed on a rock in the bay, and then swam to a little pier of land that eventually led back to the beach. We saw a few jellyfish in the crystal clear water, but I think I avoided being stung. I could have been swarmed by jellyfish and not know it since all my limbs were numb by the time we got out. I snacked on the rest of my groceries and took a great nap in the sun after this. Before I knew it, everyone was leaving because it was time to go to crits! I convinced Susie to get in the water before we left to walk up the steep but scenic Via Krupp.

I only took a few minutes to get ready and change into the nicest clothes I brought. We stopped in the piazza for a sandwich and then to the studio space at three. Crits were long and often boring. I’m always envious of the work I see other people do, and when it reached time for us to go I was a bit nervous. I had designed a significant chunk of the project and if the jurors didn’t like it I’d feel like a bit of a failure. Add to that the fact that the jury particularly enjoyed the project right before us, and I was ready to break e for us to go I was a bit nervous. I had designed a significant chunk of the project and if the jurors didn’t like it I’d feel like a bit of a failure. Add to that the fact that the jury particularly enjoyed the project right before us, and I was ready to break my Lenten promise not to bite my nails.

I think we presented our project thoroughly, from the American and Italian perspectives. Our bilingual presentation only had one slip-up, when Doc said the word ‘splooge’ in reference to one of our diagrams. Apparently I said ‘Your Welcome’ to Alan Ceen at one point after he thanked me for explaining something to him. The reactions to the project seemed to be positive, though not outright commending it. They largely ignored the things I designed and focused the bulk of their criticism on a wall the Italians placed atop an existing ruin. I think they enjoyed the alterations I made to the landscape, but it was difficult to discern from an Italian speaking jury.

During my downtime I sketched a few of the jurors, including an Italian named Kiko who had a strong resemblance to Hagrid from Harry Potter. I realized towards the end when another group had a similar portion of their design to our (but got the opposite reaction) how subjective architecture is. As long as you produce something cohesive, thoughtful, and aesthetically pleasing, I feel like you’ve created successful architecture. I shouldn’t get so hung up on these reviews.

Susie and I took a quick run to the grocery store for some drinks and got to see Capri at night. Usually we’re asleep or working by this time of night, but the views of the hillsides are quite nice. Unlike our friend Mobilia, we made it to the grocery store before it closed. I took a commemorative picture with my Italian group, and then headed to the hotel for a lackluster dinner. The cake (which was soaked in some sort of liquor) was the best part. A bunch of people were drinking and partying upstairs, but we decided to watch a movie instead. Apparently Alan Ceen even decided to join in on the party, so I’m sure I’ll hear about it tomorrow.

I fell asleep about halfway through ‘The Dark Knight’ and only just woke up to update you on the day’s events. This is a rather short account in comparison to some others. I wonder if I’m forgetting something? I’ll be sure to run through this back at Navona when I have more down time. Ciao!