Rusticatio, Part 4 of 4

On Sunday, we woke up knowing that, at the end of the day, we would be somewhere that was not Claymont. The Rusticatio would be over. And that was sad. But we were still cheerful as we Hyaenae prepared Breakfast, trying to use up all that was left over. In the Dining Room, Aloisia had set up her computer running a slideshow of various pictures that she had taken over the week. Realizing that some of those pictures were from the first day, which now felt like yesterday, was very strange for me.

As breakfast progressed, we talked about what we had learned from the workshop (at least at my table!), and then Annula explained to us that various chores had to be done before we could leave. I was assigned to vacuum the second floor, while Irenea chose to empty the wastebaskets. We packed up our bags, and lugged luggage out to the cars. It was then that Richardus pointed out to Irenea and me that the baby birds, that had been in the nest on the front porch all week, had flown away. What an omen! We each collected lists of the vocabulary we had learned all week. Yes, Rivula and Aurora were awesome and made these for us!

Once we were all packed up, Aurora came to collect us. We walked, single file, out the front door, and around the mansion. It was gorgeous. Pretty day, warm, sunny. As we walked, we sang “Pomp and Circumstance.” I can't sing that without crying. Irenea, Glis, and myself were all quite teary. Annula gave us a speech, telling us how amazing we were, and how awesome this week had been. Then, Andreas read our names, one by one, and we headed up to collect our diplomas. We each climbed the stairs up to Annula, where she knighted us with the rubber chicken that she used so many times in her Exercitationes, and handed us our diploma. On the way down the stairs, all the Repetitores were lined up, so that we could shake their hands and/or hug them. It was so amazing, magical, and surreal. All the way through the graduation, we kept singing “Pomp and Circumstance,” and by the end, I really thought I was going to lose it.

Then, we could speak in English. Annula thanked us all, and we thanked her and the Repetitores. And then, we were invited up on to the porch to eat cake. Cake+Sparkling Cider? Amazing.

I will DEFINITELY be going back next year, for the advanced Rusticatio. Irenea, I know you're going to try to come. Who else is coming? Vivit Lingua Latina!!


I never expected to learn so much in such a short time. I liked every single person I met. I was amazed at how easy it was to communicate in Latin by the end. I loved thinking about life in a language that wasn't English. It was fascinating. It was incredibly interesting, trying to think of ways to describe something in a language that wasn't English. We all talked about everything, from education, to flying, to music, to sports, in Latin. We put on a play in TWO DAYS in Latin. (Hell, that's hard in English!)

I was just so amazed with all of the people. Everyone was so awesome, and interesting. We all learned so much. It was incredibly fun.

I gained a bunch of confidence while I was there, in myself, and in my language. I gained friends. I gained a better understanding of the language that I love and that I teach.

Vivit Lingua Latina! Semper sit in flore!

The amazing people:

Feminae

Hyaenae
Amata
Aurelia (me)
Glis
Irenea

Pumae
Dido
Ioanna
Marianna

Vulpes
Carola
Iulianna
Rahel

Viri

Ursi
Iosue
Iustus
Regulus
Tobias

Leopardi
Brennus
Christophorus
Scotus

Aquilae
Daniel
Michael
Patricius
Richardus

Repetitores
Annula—Leader
Aloisia –Hyaenae
Guenevera—Vulpes
Iohannes—Leopardi
Patricius—Aquilae
Rivula—Pumae
Robertus—Ursi

Cooperatores
Andreas—Head Chef
Aurora—Amazing Doer of All Things Necessary
Paulus—Assistant Chef, and awesome kitchen organizer and shopper