Well I am finally in EUROPE!!! Honestly, it’s a lifelong dream come true. The plane ride over was looooooonnnnggg and I am positive that the European airlines have smaller seats with less leg room than our airlines. I mean, I’m pretty small and I was uncomfortable. I think I got up at least twice an hour because I was so stiff. Luckily I foresaw that this might be the case (I’m not exactly good at sitting still) and got myself an aisle seat. I don’t even know what the normal-sized people on the plane felt like. Sardines no doubt. BUT one plus was that there were personal TVs in the backs of the chairs which I hear are not on all airlines so that was lucky- I would’ve been bored out of my skull and would’ve had nothing to do but sleep which I am trying not to do till I get to Rome (definitely not nearly as hard as I thought it would be).
So here I sit in the London Heathrow airport. Sooooo not as nice as the Vancouver International Terminal. When I was waiting to board my plane in Vancouver there was a manmade marsh/ stream/ aquarium right there in the middle of the airport!! And they had stage lighting on it so it was much more calming than the fluorescents that are burning my eyes over here. It’s foggy in London so we couldn’t see much flying in. I could have sworn I saw Big Ben but it may just be wishful thinking. I did see a large clock that very well could have been the landmark that litters every postcard and gift item here. London seems cool but it’s got nothing on Italy. I haven’t even gotten to Italy but I know this. London seems a lot like Vancouver to me; plus Victoria’s historical buildings. Meh. I’d have to say that so far (remember I haven’t gone farther than the airport) the coolest thing about London is the accents- makes people seem nicer I think. OH and listening to British children thrills me. I probably seem like a creeper stalking these small proper people but they are just so gosh darn cute!!
So that’s the trip so far. I will write more tomorrow after my arrival in Rome and a nice long sleep.
Ciao miei amici!!
Lots of love,
Kate
Saturday January 17, 2009
Well, I arrived in Roma yesterday. Gioia (mother) and Stefano (father) picked me up from il aeroporto at 10:30pm. The kids were asleep at home. We drove back to the house and on the way I saw the Colisseo and l’arco di Constantino. I also saw the ruins of the baths of Caracalla which were much bigger than I thought. I arrived at the house and my room had signs from the kids saying “welcome Kate” and “we hope you have a great time with us!” Very cute. So I settled into my room but I wasn’t very tired even though I hadn’t slept in 24 hours because I was too excited. I went to bed at 11:30 (Roma time) but didn’t have a great sleep.
I woke up early and met Lucrezia (Lucri) and Alessandro (Alle) before they left for scuola. They have to go to school six days a week!! The kids are all very nice and welcoming just like Gioia e Stefano at the airport. So while they were at school I went for a walk- just wandering- and bought a scarf. On the way home I wandered into a busy café (bar) in Piazza Bologna. In Italy the café’s sell liquor too and are called bars (how convenient!)I sat with my first European cappuccino (wonderful!!) which only cost €1 and read my book a little (The Host – thanks Tyrel). I met the family back at home for lunch: pasta soup and real mozzarella on the side (we call it Bocconcini but that’s wrong). It was very filling. The family can eat a lot!! I think by the end of my trip I will be able to as well. Vince- you would love the food here. It’s very fresh.
After lunch, Ale, Lucri and I went for a walk. They are very excited to finally meet me and they both talk at the same time trying to tell me about their lives, school, Rome and ask me questions about mine. They are good at English but have thick accents that are sometimes hard to understand. So we went for a walk to Mussolini’s house. It is on beautiful park grounds and the house itself is beautiful (photos enclosed). Then we walked to their school (covered in graffiti) and around and home again. It was a very long walk and I was tired so I had a little nap then woke up for dinner- Pizza!!! The pizza here doesn’t vary. It is pretty much just homemade crust (mmmm) with tomato sauce and real mozzarella. It is very delicious though.
It was Stefano’s 50th birthday so after dinner his brother came over and we had cake. His brother has been to Canada a couple times and thinks Vancouver is the second most beautiful city in the country. Italians are very proud so Rome must be the most beautiful citta. The family is a very happy one. They love to laugh and spend time together- like mine. They make me feel very at home. They do not get stressed out though. They leave work at work and enjoy home life.
Some of you have asked about my work. Honestly, I don’t really do any. I think they just like me here to speak English with them so they can better their accents and vocab. I played Disney Scene it in English with Ale and Lucri - Christiana I know you’re jealous. I beat them but they know a lot about Disney- they love it and I am just really good at board games. They are a young 13.
That’s all for now!! Remember to keep me updated with emails
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