The Beauty of Brescia

Brescia was incredible! The right mix of mountains and city life make it my favourite place in Italy thus far. My week was perfect (minus being sick Wednesday). I could not have asked for a better week. Massimo and Laura were so accommodating and generous. Although Massimo’s English level was very low and Laura even smaller, we seemed to communicate and have conversations every evening at dinner! Their son Gio was awesome!!! He just wanted to play and have a good time. We played Mario Kart, Mario Tennis and Super Smash Bros. on Wii ! The house was gorgeous and on a mountain of course.

Driving up the mountain at the end of camp and in the morning was great. I truly felt like I was in Italy because of the winding roads, small cars and constant sick feeling in my stomach ahaha But the drive was breathtaking!!! I wish I had a constant video camera going on recording everything I saw. Once off the mountain and on the main roads, you could still see the beginnings of the Alps as well as buildings and city life. It just blew my mind everyday. I tried to soak in as much as possible. I was truly blessed to have been placed in such an amazing place for the week.

The camp kids were good. A bit rambunctious and we all lost our tempers on more than one occasion, in the long run, they were good kids. I taught 9-10 year olds again. I really like that group. Although their English level isn’t the best, they are willing to learn, try to communicate and want to play all the games! Our show was girls vs boys in a fight at school and becoming friends at the end. Haha They wrote it themselves!
The tutors were AWESOME! Again! I couldn’t ask for a better group. We seem to compliment each others teaching styles, and all jump in and help each other out. We get along fabulously and just have a great time together. I have laughed so much in the past 2 weeks just from the people I am around. It has been an incredible experience thus far. Carly and Cady are heading back home after this camp. Jules is heading to Liverpool. So that leaves Evan, Nicole and Myself. I really hope we get placed together, but, if not, I hope to have a great group again.

One night we had dinner on a mountain at a pizzeria! The sights were awesome, the air was crisp and clean and the food was deeeeeelicious! I had fungi pizza which is basically, tomato sauce, cheese and mushrooms. All fresh of course!!! Check out my picasa album for pix.

On the last morning, Laura, Gio, Pepita (their awesome Chihuahua) and I went to an ancient Roman Castle. It was from the 15th century. Mind Blowing!!! A lot of it is original and it was soooo cool to see the different lookout points, the brick, where executions took place, drawbridge and the views of the city! I was very lucky to have time to see the castle. It actually rained a bit and I never realized but they strategically built the pathways so the rain poured down and around, never allowing the castle to flood. I tried to get a picture but it didn’t work. We walked in the rain, all 3 of us under one umbrella, with Pepita in my arms. We walked soooo slow! Ahaha It was great fun. At the end of our travels on the way back to the car there was a hhuuggee puddle that you couldn’t get around. Of course we all got dirty! Laura put her foot in the puddle and screamed! It was hilarious. Gio and I were laughing histerically at her! Think of the stereotype of a woman seeing a mouse! That was Laura.

All in all, I am so happy with Brescia! I def. recommend it to anyone travelling to Italy. Its close to Venice and Verona, so all 3 can be hit in a few days :)