The Alps!

Last weekend we went to the Alps. It was all the kids in our district and some of the Rotarians, and it was absolutely amazing! We took a train and then a bus to a small town in the mountains called Ponte Di Legno, where our hotel was, and then we got back on the bus to go farther up the mountain to a cute little restarunt, where we had lunch. It was delicious! Like most things here are... but anyway after that we went for a "little" walk around the mountain. We walked down a very small road to a tiny little village in the middle of the mountains. It seriously looked like it should have been in a fairy tale! It was adorable. So we wandered around there for a little and then it was time to go. But before we started down the road(not the same one we took up there) we found a very very cute horse. Most of us stopped to pet it, but this girl Danni and I really really liked it, so we stayed there and pet it for a little bit longer. Then we noticed that our group had left us. So we thought "no biggie, they can't be that far ahead, if we just keep walking we will catch up." So thats what we did. Except for the catching up part. We just kept walking and walking, and eventually we came to a fork in the road. There was no way to know where the rest of them had gone, so we kind of just stood there for a bit trying to figure out what to do. We ended up going on the straighter path, but we had no idea where we were going. Then, it started to rain. So we were lost in the Alps, in Italy, in the rain, and we didn't know enough Italian to ask for help. We just laughed at ourselves, because there was nothing else to do! We did have cell service though, so we called one of the girls in our group and asked them where they were. She told us that they were going around a turn. Because you know how straight those windy mountain roads are. So that didn't help at all, and we just kept walking, and laughing, and getting completely soaked as it started to rain harder. Finally the Rotary people figured out that we weren't with the group so they called Dani and asked us where we were, which of course we had no idea at all. They were just about to come looking for us when we got to the end of the road, and there they were, all safe and warm and dry in the bus. We survived! We spent the rest of the weekend just hanging out at the hotel and we had a meeting the next morning with the Rotarians about what the ruled are and why we're here and all that stuff, then we went home. It was an awesome weekend!

Schooooool.

Yesterday was my first day at school, here in Italy, and let me tell you; school is school, wherever you go. Its still boring, and I still never want to wake up in the morning. But there are some differences. Like, I only have to go to school until noon all week this week, and one on any other given day. I also have to go to school on Saturdays. urg!  And instead of the kids having their stuff in lockers and switching classes, we keep our bags right next to our desks and stay in the same seat all day while the teachers go from class to class. That also means that we have no gym lockers, and nowhere to put our gym clothes or deoderant or sneakers. So that sucks a lot, espeially cause I guess were supposed to wear our sneakers to school and then run around and sweat in them and then wear them until we leave. First of all, I hate sneakers. Second of all, I hate sweat. The two of them together does not make a very happy Elizabeth. I have gym tomorrow. ugh. I don't want to think about it anymore.
Classes here are really different too. They go for about an hour, and the teachers lecture you and you have to take notes on what they're saying. Too bad I have no idea what they're saying. So I pretty much just sit there and doodle or stare into space and daydream. I try to listen to what the teachers are saying, but I can only pick up a few words. So far for classes I think I've had history, philosophy, Italian(like our English classes) art and English. And biology. I had that last thing today. And during that time I succeeded in drawing a large spoon and fork, three scenes depicting summer, winter and spring, and my name in bubble letters. At least it kept me awake! I'm still kind of recovering from jet-lag. I think thats what it is at least. Because I usually can't fall asleep until at least midnight, and then I have to get up at six in the morning to get to the bus stop by seven to be at school by eight. Its all very exausting. I just want to sleep in! Which I realized earlier will probably not be possible until the Sunday after next because I have an overnight orientation this weekend. It's on a lake I think. It will probably be fun, but I'm going to be exausted by the end of this week. Oh life.
Last weekend I also had the chance to meet my fellow exchange students at a small Rotary gathering last Sunday. They're all so nice! And it's great because we all know exactly what each of us are going through so we can basically talk about anything. Mostly we just like being able to understand what we're saying. Its nice to be able to have an actual conversation withut having to do charades. It's not that hard to talk to my family for me though, because my host mom, brother and sister all know at least some English and can kind of talk to me. I'm learning a lot of Italian too, don't worry! I'm having a lot of fun and I love it! I miss you all at home too, but there is no chance that I will be coming home early. I hope you all are doing well!

Italy.

Well, I made it! I'm in Italy. I'm also completely exausted, and my eyes are swollen from crying last night, but otherwise I'm fine. Stupid jet lag. I had a good day yesterday though. But lets start at the begining, I wouldn't want to miss any details for all of you guys!
So, the airport. My first flight was from Syracuse so we showed up there and got my bags and stuff all set and then we had to go through security. My parents got this thing where they could go through security with me and wait for the plane so we sat and waited for a while. Then the plane came. So we said our goodbyes and I cried a lot and then I had to get on the plane. It was small and crowded but we were only on for about an hour. Then I got to JFK. I must have missed the announcement that said to get my carry-on right when I got off the plane because I thought that it woud be waiting for me at the actual airport. I did eventually get it but I had to go out of the place where I was supposed to be and go to the baggage claim area and then go back through security and catch a bus thing to the next area and find my gate I got there alright and I really just sat and read and played with my ipod and computer until the plane came. I met some other exchange students while boarding but we weren't near each other so we didn't reallt get to talk. The guy sitting next to me was really nice though. I read and looked out the window until the sun went down and after I had dinner and then I tried to sleep. It wasnt very comfortable. Then I woke up and we were flying over France. We landed about an hour later and I got my bags and went out and found my host family. Yes, I did not go through customs. I dont think there was one. At least I didn't see it. I have to say, I really do love my host family! They are all so nice! I'm so glad that my sister speaks English though because if she didn't I would be so lost. We all ate a huge lunch when we got to my new home that my host mom made and it was sooooo good! Then I took a nap and  read for a little, showered and just kinda got used to my house before we went out to dinner. Of course we had pizza! I got some with ham mushrooms and artichokes. But when the waiter brought it to us, he brought each of us a WHOLE pizza. I can't even imagine what my face looked like. I guess thats how they o it here. I was really really good. I couldn't eat it all though. After we got some "sorbetta" (aka sorbet) and Sara, Lorenzo (my host siblings) and I went to a little street fair in the next town over an watched some folk singer. I met some of Lorenzo's friends and then Sara and I went to meet up with some of her friends a couple blocks away. I met this guy that was trying to talk to me in English. He knew immeadiatly that I was not from around here. It was kind of funny. Then we all went home and "slept". Again, I say: stupid jet lag!!!