Swept off to Italy

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to."

As it turns out, Bilbo Baggins was right! It was several years ago that I first learned that Rotary Youth Exchange existed, and a couple of years ago when I decided that it was something I wanted to seriously consider. The application process started almost one year ago, and then the preparations began in earnest. But it wasn't until exactly one month ago that I stepped into the Road. And it is most definitely a dangerous business, because that road is stretching out in front of me with infinite and exciting possibilities, and there's no telling where I'll be at the end of the year!

For now, school is giving my days a new rhythm. I'm attending the Liceo Scientifico Guglielmo Oberdan, which is apparently the toughest school in Trieste because it is science based, which means lots of math and physics. It was pretty funny when the first teacher gave us our weekly schedule; on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we have two hours of Math and Physics, and when the whole class groaned at this, I have to admit, I felt a bit like I had just received double Potions with the Slytherins. My other classes include Literature, Latin, History, Philosophy, Art History and Design, Chemistry, English, and of course Gym. Every day except Wednesday school is from 8:10 to 1:04, and on Wednesday we get a special break--school starts at 9:00! So late-start Wednesdays followed me here from Northfield :] So far the teachers that I've met seem very nice, and if I understood correctly, the History teacher already has me roped into doing a presentation on American History. Eduardo, want to help me brush up on that? As for the other students, they are so friendly and very helpful, so I'm excited about getting to know them and the Italian school system better throughout the year.

Another new part of my life is soccer! My amazing host mom searched all of Trieste for a girls' soccer team for me, and the one she found is perfect. The practice area is so wonderful--filled with kids laughing and playing soccer on the one, small, turf field, with parents looking on from the outdoor bar that serves pastries and other refreshments for after practice. The coach was extremely welcoming, as were the other girls, and it felt so great to play again! I have to say though, after a month of absolutely no activity, the first practice still has me sore :] But I'm looking forward to getting back into the game, and learning the way to play soccer Italian style.

Other than school and soccer, I've been doing a lot of relaxing; reading, writing letters, hanging out with friends, and walking around the city. The other day I was walking around by myself, and I came across a large church that I had seen before, but never entered. So I climbed the many steps to the entrance and walked in. It was nearly empty, with the afternoon sun streaming in through the windows and lighting up the frescoes, small side-chapels, and arched ceilings. At some point I heard a small group of people chanting the Hail Mary in Italian. It was so peaceful, and the smell of incense and the cool air kept me there for a few minutes of just sitting and reflecting on the reality of my new life.

If I think about it, it seems so surreal. How on Earth am I lucky enough to be living in Italy? It doesn't seem possible that I came here one month ago, knowing no one, knowing barely any Italian, and am now happily living here with a daily routine. It's difficult for me to wrap my head around. It's much easier to just take things one wonderful Italian moment at a time, accept them as normal, and let them slowly add up into Life. Because all of the beautiful things that I love about Italy are the little details that make up daily life:

-coming home from a friend's house once, we made a turn and I was shocked to see the huge expanse of the sea, glittering in the evening sun and dotted with tiny sailboats. I'm still not used to the fact that I live on the coast!

-my host mom , Checca, sometimes talks to me in English, whereas I normally talk to her in Italian, and most of the time I don't even recognize the difference between the English and the Italian.

-with the wind speeding past and the gorgeous buildings glowing in the setting sun, riding behind Checca on a mo-ped is one of my absolute favorite things about Italy.

-just seeing the bright blue sky and the red-tiled roofs outside the window while I eat my breakfast makes me so happy

-there is a really great bakery right downstairs from our apartment, and everyday we get a special order of delicious bread from them. And if I wake up early enough, the smell coming in from my window is really heavenly.

-there is beauty and history everywhere: in the ancient churches, the large piazzas, the harbor, the tiny restaurants, the adorable children, and especially the gelaterias :]

It sounds like all of my fellow exchange students feel the same way: I think everyone is loving their experience right now. Whether in Italy, some other amazing country, or back home in Northfield, we're all living La Dolce Vita. I hope everyone's doing well!

Ciao e baci grandi :]