Bella Italia...

Posted by Ksenia

 

Hello!

Hope you all have had a great half-term.  Personally, I’ve had a fantastic one.  As I’ve already mentioned in my previous post, we went to Italy as apart of the Europa+ project.  Initially we were planning to go via Milan to Bari and then travel by bus to Rodi Garganico, which is a small city on the coast in the south east of Italy.  However, there was a strike in the airport in Milan so we decided to change our tickets and flew via Rome.  Веcause of that we had some problems on the way back they just could not check us in.  But now I am in Brighton, continuing my studies, so finally we could get on the plane (some of us would prefer to stay in Italy I guess).

The journey was quite long and tiring but we did not lose our optimism.  On the bus we were inventing a fairy-tale where each person was telling only one phrase at a time.  Actually, it is quite a good and funny way to kill the time.  We ended up with something so stupid that it was even hard to imagine where such a strange ideas have come from (I believe the journey was really too long for us).

When we got to Rodi the Italians were waiting for us.  We all were in different host-families, and we even lived in different villages.  The first evening was quite strange.  I quickly found out that the English of the girl with whom I was staying (her name is Francesca) was not much better than my Italian (and I do not speak Italian at all!!).  Fortunately she could speak some French which I adapted a bit to make it sound more Italian (I am afraid to imagine what my French teacher would tell me if she heard me at that moment).  Her mum knew several words in English, but her father spoke nothing except his mother tongue.  Nevertheless I was surprised by the amount of effort they all made to try to say something and understand me.  It made me think that i should try to learn some Italian as well.

Next morning we got up very early and I really wanted to sleep.  But then I smelled some freshly brewed coffee from the kitchen.  Italians do not understand English idea of tea, so I could enjoy a cup of wonderful latté and espresso every morning.  With all other Italians we had a great bus trip to Castle del Monte which is situated in a very picturesque hill.  The weather was fantastic and we spend most of the time taking photos of each other.

On the way back we visited a shopping centre where some people bought presents for their friends and family. The road went quite near to the sea and we saw some breathtaking views (and made lots of pictures again. I think at the end Italians thought that we are crazy).

Next day we visited the college and attended several lessons.  Obviously we did not understand a word, but the atmosphere was quite relaxed and nobody seemed to study very hard (in Bellerbys it is never like that…but sometimes it is so nice to take your studies easier).  Later we had a project meeting and rehearsed a song that we would sing on the show which was prepared by Italians especially for us.

The show was great – we saw a fashion parade (one of that dresses I would be very happy to wear on the May Ball), some singing, humour (which was said to be English, personally I do not know as I can’t understand English humour myself), traditional dancing (I was even taught a little part of it).  Later there was a buffet where I tried a home-made pizza for the first time – it was quite simple – only cheese and tomatoes but it was the best pizza I’ve ever tried.  Afterward there was a disco where we showed Italians what real dancing is.

By the end of our stay I’ve learned some useful phrases and even started to understand some Italian.  My host-family was quite pleased with the fact.  Even though we communicated in some funny way (it was an Italian-French-English mixture, together with gestures and body language) we could understand each other and become good friends.  They were so kind, generous and hospitable and they even invited me to come back and visited them again.  I also had a chance to try a delicious lasagne (after this I believe I won't take it in restaurants because I’m afraid to spoil this amazing memory), several varieties of mozzarella, salami and local sweets.

Last day we went sightseeing of Rodi and we walked around our little villages as well.  In some places it seemed that the time has stopped – the little quite streets, churches and beautiful views on mountains and sea just in front of us…  Then we all went to a pizzeria for our last meal together and we had a great chat.

Next morning we went to school again but we had to leave in a few hours.  Nobody wanted to say goodbye and several girls were nearly crying.  We did not want to leave Italy as well but we decided that one day we will definitely come back.  And our friends are coming to Brighton at the end of May.  I hope they will like England as much as I like Italy.  I just fell in love with this country and I feel so happy and excited each time I think about it.

Our stay was short, bit we have seen so many beautiful places, met some fantastic people.  It was really a great trip and now when I am full of energy I am ready to continue my studies!