August 30 2016

Yesterday my host family and I went to visit my host grandma in her apartment. Driving into the city was a crazy experience because the streets are so small it looks like I can touch both walls with my hands. Watching my host brother turn the car into a tiny garage on a tiny street seemed like magic. Walking along the main street where vendors were selling candles for the parade of Saint Giovanni, my host mom suddenly opened a door between a bakery and a clothing store and walked in. It took me a second to realize that this door led to the apartments where my host family lives. 
My host brother, his friend and I were sent up stairs to see my host grandma, while my host mom dropped a few things off at her apartment on the floor below. After eating ice cream and hearing a few stories we made our way down to my host families apartment. It is so beautiful and big, and it overlooks the main street and square. We were able to watch the whole procession from one of the many balconies. My host mom also took me on a quick tour of the surrounding streets and nearest church. Everything was beautiful. The first day of celebration ended with fire works which almost gave me a heart attack. 
After this excursion to the city my host family took me to eat at the pizzeria close to the beach house. The food was amazing as everyone has told me it would be. 
Despite having finished dinner at 11pm, my host brother invited me to join him and a few friends for a campfire and guitar at the beach. 
It was a very long but amazing day :) 

A few photos

The main church close to my host families apartment. For the festival a statue of Saint Giovanni was taken from this church and paraded around the city. This tradition is distinct of southern Italy.

The view of the main street and square from many of the many balconies. 

A view of the church from the back balcony. 

August 29 2016

Pictures of the beach house on Marina Di Ragusa

The view!

My room 

The kitchen 

The living room

The pool!

August 29 2016

I have finally made it to Ragusa Sicilia!

 I had to take three flights. One from Minneapolis to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Milan, Milan to Catania. 

Getting around the Minneapolis Airport was easy and I got to my gate with an hour and a half to spare. A rotarian recognized my jacket and I spent the time talking with him. When I boarded my flight I was seated next to a really nice 18 year old guy named Eric. We talked a lot and had a really nice time being travel buddies. We got to Amsterdam and because he had a 6 hour layover he walked with me too my next gate. The flight to Milan was very short and I mostly slept through it. 

The Milan airport was my low point of the trip. I had to pick up my checked bag, recheck it and print my ticket. The problem was, that after I picked up my bag I had no idea where to go to finish the next two steps. At this point I was also exhausted, making the task 10x more daunting. After wondering around for a bit and going to a lot of wrong places I found a very nice lady who helped me through everything. The problem was that she had to weigh my carry on bag, which I was praying nobody would have to do. Because my bag was so heavy I had to pay more to check it. It doesn't seem like a big deal now but at the time it felt earth shattering. I eventually got to my last flight and made it to the Catania airport. 

My host mom, brother, aunt, and cousin were all waiting for me. We loaded all my stuff into the car and made the short hour and a half drive to Maria Ragusa. Despite having one of the longest days of my life I had way too much adrenaline to even think of sleeping. Instead I went swimming in the pool! My host brother had invited two of his friends over so after the pool we drove five minutes to the beach. Everybody was so nice and welcoming. They talk slowly too me in Italian and when I don't understand they all work together to either translate to english or explain it simply in italian. 

At the beach it felt like everybody knew each other, but in reality I think everyone is just very friendly. The three guys and I joined a game of beach volley ball, and despite my lack of skill the guys were so nice and cheered me on. After a race into the ocean (which I lost), we all went home to get ready for dinner. 

Dinner was served on my host parent's balcony over looking Marina di Ragusa. A few more of my host brothers friends came over for dinner and we all ate pasta, salad, and meat. It felt like food just kept coming out. Of course we ate canolli and gelato for dessert! 

I don't think I could have asked for a better first day. I can't wait to see what today holds, all I know is that there is a festival for one of Ragusa's two patron saints! 

August 20 2016

Today I had to say good bye to my twin sister, best friend, 

and favorite person in the world. I love you so much! It's

going to be a crazy weird year so far from you.

August 19 2016

I helped my sister move into college today. We got her room organized and beautiful and we made friends with some girls in her hall. I can't wait to hear about all her new experiences!

Sadly the videos I took wont work :( but here are a few pictures!

August 14th 2016

Today we drove to Chicago to drop my sister off at college. 

Hard Goodbye


My dad, Lila and Josh standing in the garage as we head out. I took this picture through the car window.


 On the road.


Sis sleeping in the back seat.

We had an awesome dinner with family at my grandma's house but I didn't get a picture :( 

August 13th 2016

Today is my Mom's birthday! I wish you all the joy and happiness in the world. You are the best! Love you <3

August 8 2016

This is the City where I will be living. 

This is the apartment building I will be living in with my host mom. My host cousin and host aunt live on the floor below, and my host grandma and uncle live on the floor above! I'm really excited to be surrounded by family.

August 7 2016

First Blog Post

I have 20 days until I leave for Italy . I leave Minneapolis around 3:00. I fly from Mpls to Amsterdam. Have a short layover I'm a little nervous about. Fly from Amsterdam to Milan. Milan to Catania. My host mom, Giovanella, will pick me up (If she decides she still wants me.... Kidding). Then its about a two hour car ride to Ragusa. My host mom said we will be spending the first two weeks at the beach house!!!!!!!!