LYUDMILA-Month 3 : The Visit

  June 23rd - 21 p.m.

     

I really couldn't figure out that my parents were arriving! That week had gone by really quickly because I had spent all my days thinking about it. Even though the evening before their arrival I was lying on my bed with my eyes open and the time had never gone on: I was trying to imagine the emotions I would feel on the next day! I couldn't describe my delight especially because I had been missing them so much and I was really curious to see their reactions visiting such a wonderfull city as Sidney : they had never been to Australia!

I actually had to go to school but I was waiting for the ringing of the bell that marked the end of the lessons.

Finally ,the bell rang and I reached Christopher, who was waiting to take me to the airport.

While I was setting out and greeting him,there were Greta and James kissing in the school garden I hadn't thought of them , my heart was still pounding.

On the way to the airport there was a lot of traffic,I couldn't wait anymore. I was so impatient that I had thought I was driving crazy: I had shouted at others cars for all the journey.

When we finally arrived at the airport, the plane had just landed and I met my parents . They were still at the luggage claim area, but when they got out and saw me, they hugged me for such a long time long I almost got choked!

They were really excited in particular my little brother

Alexander who had never flown before.

They were eagers and glad to meet my host family. While we

were going home,I told them what I had organised for our

weekend togheter:the Opera House, the Rocks, Bondi Beach,

Manly,Canberra.. and shopping in Pitt Street, George Street and

Castelreagh Street!

I was anxious to see their faces when I would take them to Bondi Beach: the most amazing beach in Sidney and in Australia. I hoped they didn't want to spend so much time at the Opera House: it was fantastic indeed, but one visit was enough for me because I had alredy been there and I had taken a lot of photos.

That evening,my mum and I went for a walk along the sea front and she told me I had matured so much: I looked more self-confident, indipendent and able to get through problems and different situations! I felt like a real Australian girl!

I can't think my homestay is 2/3 over, I really don't want to go home, there everything is boring and dull : I love Sidney and I wish I lived here with all my familiy. But there is a problem : my dad hasto work ; in addition doesn't like the sea because he can't swim, he hates being in the nature and he doesn't love animals either. We are so different!

I will miss Amber,I have never found a friend like her.I'll also miss James,my crush, I had never fallen in love before even though he hasn't so much as looked at me.

What a shame! I will enjoy these few weeks.

Veronica Rigodanza

NINA - Last Week: Going Away

December 23rd - 11 p.m.

Dear Claire,

                  How are you? I’m so excited, I’ve just arrived at home, my real home, here in Barcelona. After three long months, I’m writing to you from my small room again…You can’t imagine how I feel! I have to tell you so many things, but I’m going to start from the final week.

The last days in Italy were fantastic. After shopping in Verona, I spent a day with my host family in Sirmione, a nice town near lake Garda. The quietness of that place helped me to relax and to think about all the experiences I had done in Italy. I remembered the embarrassment and the astonishment of the first period, the happiness when I met new friends, the terror of the earthquake. All these things have changed my personality, I ‘ve grown up and now I’m more responsible and self-confident than before. For the whole  week, I didn’t know whether to be sad or happy. I would have missed    Italy, but I was glad to see my family again. These thoughts were interrupted by a beautiful surprise: my classmates told me that they had thrown  a party for me. We went to Anna’s house and there we had lunch all together and then we danced. They also gave me a book with   photos and   notes as a memory of the experience. I’d never had more fun in my life.  I was really touched by this ‘’going away’’ party because I didn’t expected it. I won’t ever, ever forget them, they have been so amiable with me.

going away party

That evening, on my way to my host family’s home, I was thinking about the past three months had spent in Italy. I started thinking about all the little things that I was going to miss about Vicenza and the Italian lifestyle. The very first thing that came up to my mind was coffee! When you get acquainted with Italians,  you’ll definitely  be invited to have a “thousand coffees”, because having a coffee together is not just drinking: it  is a social rite  . Moreover, the famous Italian “happy hour”: when the working day is over, between six and seven o’clock, Italians   meet in bars to have a spritz together, eat some chips and chat about their day. On Fridays, during the “spritz time”, you can really feel the week-end is starting up! Streets are full of people and their voices are like music: that’s the magic of the Italian language and its harmony! I remembered when I got to Vicenza in September and I saw people having the “aperitivo” for the first time; they were sitting at bar tables in the beautiful frame of Piazza Dei Signori, with its magnificent Basilica Palladiana,. I also loved Piazza San Lorenzo, Corso Palladio and Piazza Matteotti with the famous Palladio’s masterpiece,  Teatro Olimpico.

spritz time

So many memories and feelings: the smell of the delicious Italian pizza and genuine tomato sauce for spaghettis when you pass by small restaurants or pizza houses and the smell of the fresh bread very early in the morning when you pass by a bakery. If you’re lucky enough to be one of the first customers, you will taste fantastic just baked Italian bread! And then, the surroundings, which are simply amazing: the colors of the flowers on the balconies and on the tables of restaurants and bars, the lights of the small clubs that illuminate the darkness of the night, the flavour and the simple look that make Italian meals so special..

That evening, when I was walking home, I hoped that all those beautiful memories would stay for ever in my mind like many little pictures hanging on a wall.

And guess what happened when I got to the airport and saw my family? I greeted them with a “ciao!” and I hugged all of them crying! In my soul mixed feelings were fighting: I was finally home with my loved ones, but a little piece of my heart was already missing Italy and all my friends and my host parents  . With may parents I  talked about the Italian lifestyle, meals, routine, things I saw, people I met.. And as I remembered all those beautiful moments, I realized that words can’t tell how this experience has changed my life. The only thing I know is that I’m seriously thinking about going to visit them in summer with my family. That would be great!

Now I have to go back to my routine but I’m aware that the world out there jas been looking a little bigger    since I got back.

This has been a long day: with the flight and all these emotions   I feel exhausted, so I’m going to bed.. I’ll write you soon, goodbye for now!

 Noemi Beatrice Bildiroglou

 Nicola  Bazzan

KIMBERLEY - Week 8: Celebrity

Dear Diary,

This is my eighth week in Australia and after I vented to my mother ? last week I feel more self-confident. These last two weeks have been amazing. First of all I had my first date with Ben; everything was fantastic. We went to the cinema to see the last Steven Spielberg’s film ; after that   then we watched the sunset lying  on the beach. It was so romantic. Eventually, he took me home and he kissed me on my cheek.

On day of the week there was a big surprise for us: the Australian celebrity, Ian Thorpe, came to our school to make a speech. Ian, who is one of the most successful swimmers in the history of the Olympic Games, came to our school to talk about how important sport is for teenagers. He collected great success among the students, especially when he recalled his wins, in particular his five golden medals in the Olympic Games. After the speech, Ian came to our group. There were Neah, Kate, Nerissa and me, and he gave us an autograph, and we  shivered with excitement. I’m thinking how jealous my friends back home would be.                                         

                                                          

Finally, yesterday afternoon, my mum called me to know how I was and at the end of the phone call she told me she IS coming to Australia next week; unfortunately my father can’t come because he has to work hard these days. At first I was shocked because I couldn’t believe her words, but after a few minutes I realized that I wasn’t dreaming and it was all true. I was very excited so I ran downstairs and I told Eliza  about the news, Eliza hugged me so tightly that she made me feel at home.

Now it’s time to plan several activities, so that I can show my mother around this fantastic place in the best way. This morning, during breakfast, I asked Holly to give me some advice about what I could plan for my mother and she gives me some tips. Then, in the afternoon, I stayed all the time with Eliza to plan the next week. In conclusion we decided to visit some other important cities in Australia such as: Sidney, in particular the Opera house, Adelaide and the capital city, Canberra. We also wanted to visit Perth but it is too far from Melbourne. After the sightseeing I want to show to mother the fantastic Australian sea.

                                                            

I’m so nervous but I can’t wait to see my mother.

Enrico Gaspari

KIMBERLEY - Month 3: The visit

                                                                                                                                                                            June 4th- 8 a.m

Dear Diary,

this is my third month with the host family and for the first time something special has happened and changed my mood. On Thursday during the classes I was a bit nervous because I couldn't wait to see my mother. After school I reached instantly the airport, standing anxious in front of the gate 58.

When I saw her I started to cry like a newborn baby and ,as a child hugs his father I was clinging to her. It was absolutely embarrassing but I couldn't stop to cry for minutes!

Then I introduced her to the Adam .. A few minutes only and my mother and Eliza were looking as great friends. Everything seemed to be perfect but I realized that my father was missing because he has to work a lot in these days. What a shame!

My mother, as we left the International Melbourne Airport, seemed astonished of the beauty of that city, but I warned her that was only the beginning. In fact the next day we saw the Twin Falls in the magnificent Kakadu National Park ( here you can take a ranger-guided boat cruise or go for a bushwalk), the walls of Kings Canyon (over 100 metres high) and the Withsunday Islands. What left me amazed were the walls of Kings Canyon, in particular the overview from the Rim Walk. At the end of this walk there's a platform of views of the canyon walls above. UNBELIEVABLE!

Anyhow I expected more from Philip Island because it's a tourist destination famous all over the world but personally I was not impressed .. I can't explain why!

Anyway the day wasn't finished and as my mother has never been in Melbourne before, my host family took her on a sightseeing tour of the city that ended at 4 a.m. I was exhausted but also happy because it was the most beautiful day of my life!

I'm sure my mum wanted to stay here longer and perhaps one day she will convince my father to come and live in Australia, on a deserted beach.. into the wild!

On Monday we took her back to the airport but this time no tears! I'll see her in a few weeks so there wasn't enough time to cry.

The same day I realized that my homestay was 2/3 over.. Suddenly the sadness killed my happiness and I was feeling really demoralized because when you begin an adventure it's difficult to return to your routine. Eliza understood my situation and comforted me like a mother comfort his son. I don't know how but this gave me a lot of strenght. There was no time for depressed people in Australia so I tried to enjoy the last weeks of my unforgettable holiday.

Sergio Paiu

BLONDE - MONTH 3: THE VISIT

December 16^th, 10 p.m.

Dear Clare,

finally I 've seen my mother after three long months! It has been a fantastic weekend and we spent it all together: my host family, me and my mother.

On Thursday afternoon, after school, I went with Lucia and Francesco to Valerio Catullo airport just outside Verona. I was happy, but really nervous at the same time. As soon as I saw my mother, I ran towards her and gave her a big, long hug: she had the perfume of Barcelona on her clothes. Afterwards I introduced her to my host family and then we drove back home. During the journey I talked with her about every single amazing moment in Vicenza, at school and with Lucia's family. My mum was surprised to see me so happy and enthusiastic.

On Friday and Saturday I didn't go to school because I spent all the day with my mum. We went sightseeing the historical centre of Vicenza and then we visited the main monuments and buildings that I’ve recently seen, such as Teatro Olimpico, the Basilica Palladiana and Palazzo Thiene.

At lunch we had dinner in a restaurant where we ate Vicenza's traditional dishes like Baccalà alla Vicentina. Since Andrea suggested it, we spent the afternoon close to the nature at Parco Querini.

On Saturday we went to Venice to visit the city and its main monuments, parks, museums and the typical narrow streets called “calli”. It was the first time for me too. The city was fantastic even though the weather wasn't really good.

Unfortunately ,early in the afternoon, my mum flew back to Barcelona, because she had to go back to work. She has told me that she sees me more responsible, stronger and self-confident. I hope she's right!

Only when I said “Don’t worry, I’ll see you in a few weeks!” I realized that my homestay is 2/3 over!

Such an amazing period of time has passed really fast; I don't want to go home so soon. I'm really enjoying myself here! I have so many other things to learn here in Vicenza.

Now I must go, I'm really tired. Sadness has taken me. Good night Clare!

Federica Gaspari

NINA - Week 8: Celebrity

December 3^rd, 7 p.m.

Dear Claire,

Two more weeks have passed and I have so many exciting news to tell you!

First of all, I felt immediately better after the last time I wrote you, maybe because I knew that a celebrity would come to speak at my school and when I heard that she was Penelope Cruz, I forgot all about being homesick. The actress has come to Italy to make a film in Rome but she is been spending some more months in this country to promote it in various cities. “To Rome with love” is an upcoming romantic comedy film composed of four episodes where the protagonists are some American tourists in the capital city. Penelope talked about the plot and different related topics. After this interesting speech I even got to meet her and I got an autograph! I was so nervous but the beautiful actress made me feel at ease and noticing my Spanish accent, she wanted to know something about my stay here in Italy. I’m sure that when I come back to Spain, Lola, Pilar and the others friends will be so jealous! 

Furthermore, a few days later my mother told me that she was going to come and visit me next weekend and now I’m really impatient to see someone from my family. With my host family I have planned several activities to do with my mum around the place that has become my new home. I decided to go sightseeing in the centre of Vicenza, showing her the main monuments and buildings that I’ve recently seen such as Andrea Palladio’s Teatro Olimpico, the oldest surviving enclosed theatre in the world as the guidebook say, the Basilica Palladiana, a Renaissance building in the central Piazza dei Signori and Palazzo Thiene. 

Andrea suggested that we spend an afternoon close to nature at Parco Querini (how sweet!) and Lucia said that I must absolutely have dinner in a restaurant where my mum can have a taste of Vicenza’s cuisine with traditional dishes like the Baccalà alla Vicentina, made from stockfish and served on or next to polenta, or rice and peas. I am looking forward to seeing my mum and show her around Vicenza. I’m sure she will enjoy this city. 

By the way, Francesco is calling me because dinner is ready so I must go. 

See you, Claire!

Martina Scortegagna              

BLONDE-WEEK 6:HOMESICK

November 2^nd, 10 p.m.

Dear Claire,

I’m here in my bedroom and I want to tell you about the last few days. I had the opportunity to spend more time with my host family thanks to Halloween holiday and once again they have been so understanding. Actually on Friday I felt really homesick: I know, I’m having fun and learning a lot, but three months suddenly seem a very long time. As I didn’t want to worry my host family, firstly I talked to my parents on the phone. That made me feel a little better and I said goodbye to them as cheerfully as I could, but when I hung up I wished I could just go back home immediately. Lucia, however, had noticed I was really sad and she tried to involve me in the preparations of a little party. Lucia, Chiara and I have carved three pumpkins, we added some candles to create the right atmosphere. Then we tried to improve our culinary ability by making Spanish cakes: los panellets! They weren’t perfect, but this time I didn’t cut myself!

 

The Halloween party with all the family was pleasant and Francesco made fantastic roast chestnuts as we do in Barcelona! Andrea and Chiara introduced me to so many relatives of theirs: their grandparents Angelo and Maria, their grandparents Antonio and Ludovica and lots of cousins whose names don’t remember! For the whole evening I listened to their gossip and every kind of stories.Actually I was able to understand  more than a half of their words. There were also two boys(I think two of the lots of cousins they have) who spoke a perfect English and I had fun chatting with them, but when I went to bed I was exhausted!

I tried to sleep, but my dreams were full of pumpkins, relatives from everywhere and panellets!

On Sunday morning, I don’t know exactly how, I was again homesick and I burst into tears…luckily my family is really patient and also brilliant: after some minutes they found a way to cheer me up. They had been thinking about getting a pet for some weeks and they thought it was the right moment to do it: they told me about their idea and we went together to a pet shop. There we looked around wondering which animal would get on with Sissy: another big dog was too demanding and we weren’t sure of cats. Finally we found a hamster and we left the shop with him. Sissy seemed to get on the new entry and we set up a perfect home for him. The last thing was the name: after discussing for some minutes I suggested Ricky, like an English friend of mine and they all agreed with me! It was been incredible the sweet way we discussed: jokes, coalitions and…a good laugh! I think Italians love making noises, but at least here they prefer ending up with a good laugh!

Today, after school I spent some time playing with Ricky and now I’m in a really good mood because I feel part of the Bianchi family.

Goodnight Claire!

Debora Carolo