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Audrey's Report September 11, 2007 |
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So I arrived here in Sassari a few days ago and it's been great so far. I'm so lucky that I was able to travel with Vannesa because it made the trip so much easier and a lot more fun. On my flight from Rome to Alghero, I was by myself but it was fine and I got the front row seat by the window so I got to see everything, which was beautiful. The airport was tiny so after finally getting my bags (which were the last ones out and I started to think they were still sitting in Rome somwhere), I found my family immediately. I was greeted by my host father, Gino, my host mother, Rina, my host brother, Giuseppe, and two of my host sister's friends, Giovi and Ines. She's spending the year in Germany so I never met her, but her friends are SO nice and are taking such good care of me.
I know I'm really lucky that my host sister made sure that they would take care of me, because it makes such a big difference. They have taken me out many times already and invite me to do things all the time. When we first arrived in the apartment in Sassari, I didn't even have time to open my bags before they took me out for a walk around the city. The city is great because it's still a city, but it's not too big so it's easy to get to know people and they walk everywhere, which I like. As for language right now, I'm speaking a mixture of English, Italian, Spanish, and French, so it's pretty funny, but I'm able to communicate. Gino and Giuseppe speak English pretty well so they help me out, but they teach me how to say things in Italian, also.
I have to say, I'm really proud of myself and my progress especially getting off the plane literally knowing about 5 words in Italian :). Rina doesn't speak a word of English which is good because I'll learn faster, and my mini English-Italian dictionary is my new best friend!! Rina hurt her knee recently so she needs help with certain things and is always crying out in pain. At first I didn't know how to react, but then I asked Giovi about it and she laughed and told me it was no big deal and she's always yelling anyway. Rina's even asked me to get the phone once, but I kind of pretended I didn't know where it was because I had no idea how to even answer it!! ...oops.
We went to their beach house in Platamona twice already which is really nice. Almost all of my host sister's friends have a house there too, so I hung out with them for the day when I went there. At night, they took me out for pizza which was really good. They told me to order the patatosa and when it came out i realized that it was pizza with french fries as a topping!! but it was good anyway :). They've also taken me out in Sassari a few times and we go to a bar or caffé and hang out and talk. Usually I don't drink coffee, but the other day I tried a Marocchino and it was the best thing I've ever tasted!!!!!!! I better not get addicted... I love how I really can't call people or make plans (if anything, I have to rely on text messages so I can whip out my dictionary) because I wouldn't be able to talk on the phone, so Rina and Giovi and Ines and everyone basically make all my plans for me and tell me what I'm going to do that day!! But I really don't mind :-D.
So I start school the 17th so I have about a week to be nervous :), but
I think it'll be ok. I'm having a great time so far and I've already done
so many things!!! |
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