The first week

Today marks the one week anniversary of my ten and a half month long stay in Udine, Italy. In one week, it is crazy the sheer amount of experiences that have already come my way, both amazing and terrifying all at once. After 24 hours traveling, my host parents, and host sister picked me up at the Marco Polo airport in Venice, and the first thing they did was hand me a pizza. Very typical Italy, as we would think. We went to Lignano, on the way to Udine, which is basically a beach town. The family has a house there, so we stopped there, then ate pizza and drank beer at a ristorante in the town. When we got to Udine, it was surreal, as it was dark, and Mario, my host dad, was pointing out various things such as the library and the town centre but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. We arrived at the extremely fancy and modern home of Mario Raggi, Daniela Pelagati and their almost 2 year old daughter, Maria Sofia. The next day, I visited the office of my host parents, and was able to walk around in the town centre. It is so typical Italian, with small cobblestone streets, tall buildings, and extensive old bicycles and Vespas, all of which I fell in love with immediately.  My host brother, Marco, who is 22 and lives mostly in Slovakia, took me to my first Rotary meeting. I met my host counsellor, and a woman who runs an international primary school here in Udine. My host dad wants me to go to her school to hang out because he is hoping she will host me for 3 months if I get to know her well. The next few days were spent sleeping while adjusting to the time change, going to the office, and walking around in Udine: exploring, mostly. My counsellor introduced me to his son, Luca, who is eighteen and speaks English very well. I am very thankful because Luca showed me around in Udine, and introduced me to some of his friends, and basically has been inviting me to hang out with people my age in a place where I know no one and can’t really meet anyone because I cannot start a conversation. It is a tough situation, so I am very thankful to have met Luca.  For all my Penticton friends, whom I miss so much, you will like this. The kids here complain about the size of Udine and how it is boring and there is nothing to do. The bars (which are really like coffee shops, but serve alcohol) are all open until 11, 12, 1, 2am. On Friday night there was a DJ party in the Piazza, which has dancing and music and there is a ton of people in the centre almost every night. It is mind blowing the difference between “boring” here and “boring” at home. The Italian teenagers do not know the meaning of small town until they have lived in small town Canada, aka Penticton. On Saturday night, Luca invited me to his house for pizza and to watch the soccer match. A few of his friends came over, and I must seem so shy and quiet because I don’t understand the conversation, let alone contribute. It is depressingly amusing. After the game we went to a birthday party in a town about 20 minutes outside of Udine, and it is such a change to partying in Canada. The party was in a community centre-type of building, in a room with a bar, a pool table, DJ, dancing etc. It is extremely difficult not be awkward when you know 3 people in the entire room, and it isn’t a huge party, but it was fun after a while. Oh yeah, and Italian girls do not party in casual wear, like in Canada, so not only was I the only one who didn’t know anyone, I looked extremely out of place in my skirt, sandals and leather jacket, while they were all in party dresses and high heels. I hung out mostly with the boys I came with, and a few of their friends, who all speak enough English, that with my limited Italian we can carry on a conversation. My first taste of Italian partying was interesting and gives me hope for the year, as I had a lot of fun. Apparently the “discotheca” is a club with about 2000 people so I am excited for that. Today I fell in love. Venice is the most beautiful place I think I have ever been. For a person who absolutely loves the water, and ocean, Venezia e perfetto. Pictures can do it some justice, but it is definitely a place that everyone needs to visit, at least once. I hope someday I get the chance to spend a few days, weeks, or years there. So far, to sum up this week, I have experienced emotions I didn’t even know I had. One day is very good, and the next I am a little homesick and miss having friends and family that I am completely comfortable being around. To be in a place where there is not a single person who I feel comfortable enough with yet to call up and tell them to come over or meet up, it is very hard. Also being an outgoing, and usually pretty happy person, it is difficult for me, because I seem shy and tired all the time. So far, Italy has been amazing, and I am hopeful for a good year! It has also been completely terrifying and so very different from anything I have ever experienced. This exchange, so far, seems like the best and worst thing I have ever done. School starts on Tuesday, which should be interesting.  Sorry if I am boring anyone, it is nice to get this down. Ciao, a presto!