san remo 2

Well, I know its been a few days since I’ve written but this was one hell of a busy week!! To sum it up in one word, intense !!! We learned so much, grammar, songs, games, history, ate, slept, danced, drank! It was just a non stop week. We had training from 9-5 everyday and it usually went over time. We had to eat at 8:30 every night but sometimes we had to walk an hour to get to the restaurant. As a result, we’d have just enough time to go to the hotel, shower, change and go to dinner!! The food has all been awesome so far! The only issue I’ve been having is that I am on carb overload and feeling kinda shitty about it. My tummy is not feeling so great, I’d like to have some more fruits and veggies, but if that isn’t possible then I’ll take what I can get! I am in Italy after all! I can’t really complain too much :)
One night we went to dinner in “the old city” part of San Remo. It is a really incredible area of the city that was built before roads were made. It’s basically all slopes and rocks but the buildings are all close together and people live in them. It reminded me of a stereotypical sight of Italy with clothes lines out the windows and just massive buildings that are like apartment buildings. I took a lot of pictures in this area. The lighting was all yellow and orangy so I tried to capture it as best as I could with my camera. I look forward to hearing peoples reactions to this part of the city.
The only crappy thing is that we didn’t get a chance to go to the beach :s We tried one beautiful afternoon, but walked the wrong way and couldn’t find one unfortunately. Although it’s a coast there aren’t a lot of spots designated as beach areas. Thursday we were all set to go in the morning, packed our suits and towels but it ended up being a really cloudy day so there really wasn’t any point.
It hasn’t really rained here. There were a few periods of a little drizzle and one morning it was raining. But other than that its been clear skies (except our beach day) and quite warm! Ive already sweat and it’s only been orientation thus far!
On Wednesday we got the opportunity to go to a school and kind of work with the kids. That for me was the highlight of my week!!! They were awesome! 95% of them just wanted to play and enjoy their time with us. They participated in the games and seemed to really enjoy themselves. My group worked with 11 year olds and 8 year olds. I liked the 11 year olds better because they understood more English and we could do more with them. I feel like the younger ones are going to be a challenge just because it will be difficult to teach them so they can comprehend and move forward with their English abilities.
This morning I had to say goodbye to Alyssa and Mario after 2 weeks. We all got separated and sent to different areas of Italy. I am going to Castenosa which is in the Bologna area. It’s a new camp so we basically have to set the standards and get it up and running. It’s a great opportunity because we are establishing this camp and can use all the materials we just learned. But at the same time scary because none of the kids have been to camp and I’m not sure how much English they’ll know or understand. However, any experience is a learning experience whether good or bad. So I am staying positive and just looking on the bright side!! I am finally starting what I came here to do so that’s really cool. I am going with 5 other people. 2 boys and 3 girls. All of which are from Canada or the US except for our leader or returning Tutor, he’s from Liverpool. He’s a huge Beatles fan so I’m sure we’ll get along just swimmingly!
We met two really cool guys that we’re not going to be teaching with this week. Mark – he’s from BC, 27 but he’s been travelling Europe since September! I Envy him for his ability to do so, but also the fact that he can live out of a suitcase and not really be bothered by it! I’ve only been doing it for 2 weeks and I already want to kill myself! Hahaha So he’s been really cool, reminds me of a modern say hippy in a way because he just goes with the flow and loves life wherever he is. We also met Vinny – he’s from New York and he’s 19. He’s been really fun to hang out with and imitate his New York accent! He went with us to the Old City so we made him pose in some artistic pictures we were trying to create.
I’m sitting here in the hotel right now alone, just writing and biding my time. It’s kind of chilly here today so I’m hoping I won’t get too cold! I’m not sure what to do yet. I’m supposed to be meeting the other girls in my group in about 30 mins but with this weather I’m not sure what will be on the agenda! I wish there was a museum or something we could go to for the day. There isn’t a mall or anything; it’s all outdoors so I’m praying for dry weather hehe We’ll see where the day takes us! There’s also a bunch of people who have the week off and are roaming the city as well. We may just find people along our way and hang out somewhere.
I’ve been really missing everyone this week. Even though I’ve been so busy, I still have time to think about everyone, especially at night when I’m laying in bed. I talked to my mom for the first time last night since Paris and she didn’t know it but I was kind of crying a little in the convo. It was just so nice to hear her voice and talk to her. I almost miss everyone LESS when I don’t talk to them! It’s like when I talk to them it brings up memories or sad feelings because I know I still have a long way to go before I make it home! Another 3 full months and about a week! That’s alright though, it’s all part of the process and it will be fun! I miss the depot ppl too! I’m sure BTS is starting to come in and they’re trying to find places to put it all! Hheheheh I’m sure everything will work out smooth there but it still would have been nice to go there and help them with it.
It’s weird how I’ve only been gone a few weeks and already, so many things have changed in my perception and thoughts on things. I’m still not sure exactly what I’m doing when I get home. Hopefully I’ll have a bit of money left so I won’t be broke from the get go ! hehehe I really want to go out to BC for school and to live, but then it makes me sad that I’ll just be leaving everyone again :s It’s such an odd feeling to want something and be terrified of it at the same time. That is how I am feeling with this job too! I’ll be fine with all the big group activities, but one on one in the mornings I’m a bit nervous for. Im just going to go in as prepared as I can be and hope it will all work out! I guess I feel the same way with life too!! Hehee Whatever will be, will be!
Well, This is quite a long blog! But I figure I haven’t written in a while hehehehe Hopefully my home will have either internet or wifi so I can stay more in touch
xoxo