FU CDG.

Last night was very hard. After saying goodbye to Asia and Alessandra at home, Andrea drove me to the bus stop. I had been trying to convince myself all day that I wouldn't cry when it was time to leave. But after hugging Andrea goodbye the waterworks just flowed on out. EPIC FAIL. I cried for a good 10 minutes and then attempted to get some sleep. That didn't really work so well. We got to the airport this morning at around 4:00. We claimed a spot (it was pretty empty haha) and we all attempted to sleep. I got a couple broken hours of not very good sleep, but enough that I'm still awake now so I guess it's okay. After we all had woken up at about 8:30 all of the girls who were flying back to the US went down to check their bags. Alison checked mine in her name because she's AWESOME so that my mom can pick it up. Hopefully my wine and broken computer make it there unharmed. We all said our goodbyes and I headed over to the check in area for my flight. After a little bit of waiting I got all checked in and went downstairs. I then had 3 hours to sit around and do nothing.

I will never again fly abroad by myself. Haha. They did not post my gate number until 10 minutes before my boarding time which was very frustrating. Once on the plane all was fine. I sat next to an American couple celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. They got married young (she was 21, he was 19) and in celebration of "proving everyone wrong" they are traveling to a few European countries. They held hands and cuddled the whole flight. It was semi sickening. So I'm glad I got a window seat. Once getting to Paris was the complicated part.

The airport is separated into 3 terminals connected by a railway shuttle. I landed in Terminal 1. Not knowing there were multiple buildings I wandered around trying to find Terminal 2G. Finally I realized I needed to travel to another terminal so I did that. Once I got to Terminal 2 though I discovered that this terminal had sub-terminals (thus the G). So I had to take another shuttle bus to where I was supposed to be. Once I got there I checked in and got my boarding pass but still had 3 hours and there was nothing in there but chairs so I came back to Terminal 1 because it had food, stores, and internet (expensive internet.. but I'm desperate and bored!!). My flight leaves at 8:00 so in another 2.5 hours. Hopefully it goes quickly. :(

Final blog from Italy.

Today is my final day in Carpi. I decided to let myself sleep in after the festa because we didn't have anything planned for this morning. I woke up around 10:00 am. Which to most does not constutute as sleeping in, but oh it was heaven. Once I woke up I played a game on my phone for a while that is called Word Mole. Then I decided it was time to get up and do something productive so I packed. Everything I was planning on taking to France fits into my duffel and backpack very nicely. After I finished packing, cleaning, and double checking that I hadn't left anything around the house I got online to load my pictures from the Festa and to update my blog about it. Then I went down and we had lunch. Andrea had made salad with chicken, tomatoes, red peppers, and oil/vinegar. The fresh and simpleness of their delicious salads are definitely things I'm going to miss about staying with the Bisi's.


This afternoon we left around 3:00 for a last minute trip to Verona! I was very excited they had decided to surprise me by going because I wanted to see Juliet's house. We met my host parents' best friends' family. They are the ones we have eaten with a couple of times before. So a total of 10 of us went together in 2 cars. Once we got to Verona we walked around a bit and went to Juliet's house! There is an entire tunnel of love letters that people have left over the course of time. And not only did we get to see the tunnel and the balcony, but Andrea bought Frenchy, Asia, he, and I tickets to go INSIDE of Juliet's house. I got to stand ON the balcony. Like I've said, I have gotten to do so many things this trip that I do not deserve.


After we left Verona all 10 of us drove back toward Carpi and went to a restaurant that was very cool. It was called a multirestaurant and actually had 3 restaurants and a club inside of it. haha. Plus there was an area for kids to play. They definitely spoiled me for my last dinner here with them. Wine, soda, a fried fish plate appetizer, spinach tortelli, tiarimasu (I butchered that spelling I'm sure), and then coffee. It was so good. Then we came home and I loaded the rest of my pictures so that all of the Italy ones are online because I don't know what my internet situation is going to be like when I get to France.

It's so strange to know that this trip is over.
I feel like this trip has allowed me to see and do and experience things that I am not entitled to. I am just a college student. 21 years old and I've lived in Italy. What? And not only that, but I was given the best host family I ever could have imagined. I was not worthy of this experience but I will be grateful for it always.

Some of the girls on this trip made life-long friendships with each other. Some found boys here to occupy a couple minutes of their time. Some got so close with the one class they worked with that they cried when it was time to leave. And although I didn't really do any of those things, I feel as if I gained something else worth so much more. After almost 22 years of not really being sure of much (most specifically, who I am) I can truly and honestly say that after being here, that has changed. Because I wasn't really sure who I was as a person, my experience started a little rough. I can be a fairly reserved person anyway, and it's hard for me to come out of my shell and expose myself to people. It may have taken a while to figure out, but being here has made me realize that I am really happy with who I am and who I have the potentional/ability to be. I can eat healthy if I want to, I can HIKE MOUNTAINS if I want to, I can teach if I want to, I can bond with strangers if I want to, I can trust if I want to, I can travel the world, I can be beautiful, I can smile, I can make someone happy, I can be good enough. It's all just a matter of believing in myself. And I want to.


Realizing these things would not have been at all possible without this trip to Italy. It would not have been possible had I not been completely removed from everyone and everything that I knew. While I was here I saw famous artwork, observed beautiful landscapes, taught innocent (and sometimes very frustrating) children, and... I grew up. I'm not sure how many of the girls here can honestly say that. (Although, some may be able to.) So regardless of a rough start, being sick most of the time, not sleeping, and my computer breaking (haha) I am so grateful for my opportunity to do this. For my opportunity to meet my host family and all of the other people I met, to have these experiences, and to find out who I am. (Which, ironically, is who I've always wanted to be.)

Saying goodbye in an hour will very difficult.

"There is in truth no past. Only a memory of the past. Blink your eyes and the world you see next did not exist when you closed them. Therefore, the only appropriate state of mind is surprise. The only appropriate state of the heart is joy. The sky you see now you have never seen before. The perfect moment is now. Be glad of it." - Terry Pratchett

FESTA!

Last night was the Festa. This year marks the 10th anniversary of this study abroad program. I wore a new dress that I bought here in Italy. We got there around 9:05. Everyone was dressed up pretty formally. Most of the American girls were wearing really high shoes, but I didn't even bring any with me. So I may have looked a little less elegant, but I think I won in the long run because the party was mostly on grass/cobble stone. Anyway, they had a lot of little snacks, sandwiches, and wine (and orange juice for the children). Basically for the first hour and a half or so we just socialized among ourselves. I introduced my host family to friends and the directors. Like I said, after about an hour and a half had passed (and a few glasses of wine) all of the American students went up on stage. We then introduced ourselves, said where we are from, and then introduced our familes (in Italian!). We presented certificates to our families as well as our schools. After that they served cake, fresh fruit, pastries, and more wine. Asia was tired and so were my parents and I so we left earlier than most.. but still weren't home until almost 1:00 am!


Today I think we're supposed to go to Verona, but I don't know if that's still happening. Until next time!
Ciao!!

Goodbye Florence, Hellooooo Verona!

Sunday evening, after our hiking/cooking adventures, I ventured through Florence on my own to go shopping at H&M. Once there I was in heaven, finding 2 dresses, a belt, and a pair of sunglasses. Sunday night we all got dressed nicely and went out for dinner. I had a huge order of spaghetti, a side salad, and a beer for only 9.5£! After dinner we went to an Irish pub and had a couple of beers and I went home (to the hostel) before everyone else because I was tired.


Monday morning we got up fairly early and basically shopped ALL day. I bought the rest of the presents I needed for people. We left Florence around 4:00 and got back to Carpi around 6:00. The hostel that we stayed at in Florence was so cool though. If I ever go back, I definitely want to stay there again. The walls are covered in people who have stayed there's signature so of course I left my mark!


When we got back to the house I clearned my room, showered, and then packed most of my stuff into my suitcase. I will be spending $55 to send my suitcase home with the people going back to KC (my mom will pick it up) so I don't have to travel with it. So I packed most of my clothes, my shoes, the computer, as well as a lot of other things. Hopefully this will make my traveling to/in France a bit easier to do.

Today was our last day working in the schools. All we did all day was watch the kids play baseball and take pictures. Some of the girls asked for our autographs and were taking videos of us like we are celebrities. Semi-awkward... just saying. But it was a nice way to end the experience. Plus we finally got a picture of all 5 of us who worked there for the time we were here.


After school I came home and had lunch with my host parents and talked to them for a bit. Afterwards, I went upstairs and started cleaning/organizing some more of my stuff. I then went through my assignment notebook to ensure that everything was finished.

Tonight is the festa for all of us, the families, and the teachers. I have to introduce myself, say where I'm from, AND introduce my host family in Italian!! I've been practicing though so I think it should go pretty smoothly. :) Tomorrow Alessandra wants to go to Verona in the afternoon because I didn't get to go last week. I really want to see Romeo and Juliet's wall/balcony, so I'm very excited!! And then tomorrow night at 1:00 AM I will be dropped off at the train station. I can't believe it's the end!!