Whew....the last 48 hours have been quite a whirlwind.  Thursday morning, we had a couple of meetings regarding arts and culture.  Turino has undergone a renewal over the past 10 years, from an industrial city to one of arts, culture, and environment.  There are efforts underway to attract technology businesses.  Turino will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unity of Italy in 2011.  A committee has been formed to set up a "great international event." 


Stephen and Val (fellows) and our city coordinator, Giulia. 



We had lunch with Dario Disgni, Head of Culture, Art, and Environmental Hertiage with Compagnia di San Paolo. 
I've forgot to mention before that raw meat is served here.  I just can't bring myself to eat it. 

We had a one hour break before our afternoon session for shopping.  There are wonderful shops here - Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, etc.  I can't afford any of that, so I went to the park instead.





In the afternoon, we had a session at the Centro Estero per L'Internazionalizzazione del Piemonte.  We took a group photo in front of the skating rink that was built for the 2006 Olympic Games.




We got back to the hotel at 5:10 and had to be ready to leave again by 5:50.  We meet the Secretary General of Campagnia di San Paolo for appetizers and drinks before the Opera.  



The Opera started at 8:00 - it was a comic opera in three acts based on a libretto by Arrigo Boito.  It was a wonderful ending to the trip.  We got back to the hotel at 11:30.  I then had to pack because Darnella and I were leaving for the airport at 6 AM.  I got about 3 hours of sleep.  

Photos of the opera house.  No photos were allowed once the opera began.