Scusami, dove posso trovare la pizza?

29 July 2015

Hello friends. 

This is my final day of my summer voyage, and this will be the last post I write on this blog. As I’ve mentioned before, it has been a treat for me to write about my travels and experiences over this summer, and I’d like to say thanks to everyone who tuned into my blog throughout the summer.

I can’t believe today has finally come; I can’t believe I’m going back to my homeland!

I’m going to miss the hot summer days here. I’m going to miss going into Ortigia every night with friends I’m going to miss speaking Italian I’m going to miss having breakfast every morning with my host mum I’m going to miss Stefano driving me around Siracusa and me frighting for my life every time, haha I’m going to miss the feeling of the salt water drying and cracking on my skin I’m going to miss Alba making random noises and sporadically hugging me I’m going to miss Italian food I’m going to miss Fabiana’s humor I’m going to miss not having to do anything :)

This summer has been the best one of my life, and I have so many people to thank for it. I’ll miss everything about this place, especially the people I’ve met.

Take care my friends, thanks for following my blog

28 July 2015

This morning was spent at home with my host family, and after lunch I went to say goodbye to my host cousin Sofia and host aunt Elena and host uncle Marco, and then to my host grandparents.

After I had all my goodbyes said, my host family and I went in their boat on the sea. It was quite windy, and there were some intense waves. If I would write that I wasn’t scared I would be lying - haha. 

In the early evening I went and had dinner with my best friend from exchange, Fabiana, and then had to say goodbye to her as well.

This evening I went out with Alba for one last time. We went back to Castello Maniace and listened to music, and then walked around Ortigia for my last night here. Saying goodbye to her was not fun whatsoever, but such is life. Mi mancherai tanto Ms. Rose!

Homesickness, jet lag, culture shock, etc. all become easier to adjust to the more and more you travel. Saying goodbye, on the other hand, is not (and never will be) an easy thing to do. I’ve met so many great people here in this city from both three years and and over the past two months; saying goodbye is the worst part about traveling.

I will be back to Siracusa sometime soon; I don’t know exactly when that will be, but I’ll make it happen.

Andrew

28 July 2015

I knew this summer would be one to remember, so when I was preparing to come to Sicily I told myself I was going to write everyday about the things I have been doing, and I’ve kept that promise. In addition to this blog where I’ve written over 110 posts, I’ve kept two separate logs that I write in multiple times a day, exceeding 160 pages in one, and 120 pages in the other. I’ve grown a huge love for writing this summer, especially because I’m writing about traveling, my hobby and passion that fuels my inspirations!

It’s personally been a lot of fun for me to write on this blog everyday, so getting to share it with people to read and join in on my journey makes it even better. 

This summer has flown by; I can’t believe that I’m leaving tomorrow morning.

Thanks again for tuning in this summer, take care my friends!

Andrew

27 July 2015

I must give the second shoutout/huge thanks to my wonderful host mother Alessandra. 

As I wrote on my blog earlier this summer, I was a little anxious about coming this second time purely because my first host family experience here in Siracusa ended so poorly. You from day one destroyed all of those feelings and accepted me and treated my like your own son, and for this I cannot thank you enough. 

I will miss our talks about different lifestyles, education, history, people, and relationships. You’ve got such a kind and caring soul and you’re always going above and beyond to help not only me, but everyone!

Thank you so, so, so, so, so, so much for taking me into your home this summer and for being like a second mother to me, I’m already looking forward to you and Stefano coming to South Dakota to see me and my family for Christmas.

Grazie per tutto, mi mancherai Dottoressa Puzzo!

Andrew

26 July 2015

Now that my days here in Siracusa are winding down, I want to give a huge shoutout and thank you to my host brother, Stefano.

I expected to have a great time with you this summer, but it’s been even more than what I had hoped it to be. We’ve played hundreds of matches on FIFA (I think I’ve won maybe two matches - haha!), drove all over Siracusa on your moto that still scares me to death, and have spent countless and a priceless number of hours together talking about calcio (football {or soccer for Americans}), laughing about Bingen (HAHAHAHA), and you teaching me the Sicilian language. 

I can’t thank you enough for how much you’ve done for me this summer and I’m so happy that you and Alessandra get to come to see me in South Dakota in December - don’t forget your winter coat!

Grazie tanto, mbare. Ci vediamo presto!

Andrew

25 July 2015

TOP 10 THINGS FROM MY SUMMER IN SIRACUSA

This post you will find pictures (some have been collaged) of the top ten things I’ve done this summer on my two month vacation in Sicily. If you’ve been following my blog the entire summer you’ll recognize the pictures in this post.

I’ve put them in chronological oder, so let’s start from the top picture.

#1: Meeting my host family. On day one at around 16.00 in the afternoon I met Stefano and Alessandra in Catania International Airport and I had a great first impression of both of them. They were so welcoming and kind and getting to know them over the course of the past two months has been a pleasure. They’re both such hospitable people and I know we’ll be in constant contact when I return to the States.

#2 Friends from exchange. I was able to see two of my best friends from three years ago when I was here in Siracusa, Fabiana and Isaac. I spent so much time with these two on my exchange, and it was great to be able to see them both again.

#3 Cliff jumping. I started from the smallest cliff which was only about 25 feet, then I moved to the second one from 60 feet, and then finally from 75 feet. It was such a nerve-racking experience, but so much fun. :) If you’d care to watch the video from 75 feet, click HERE.

#4 Seeing the Moro family again. Two years ago I met a beautiful Italian girl named Sofia who I spent six months with as my girlfriend. Although I wasn’t able to see her this summer, her mother and two older sisters took a trip to Sicily and we went out for dinner one evening in Siracusa.

#5 Roma/Napoli. I spent four days with one of my best friends, Azmon, in Roma and Napoli, two cities that I hadn’t visited prior to this summer. Roma has taken over the number one spot of my favorite cities that I’ve visited. I will certainly be back in the near future.

#6 Germany. The day after I returned from my trip to Roma and Napoli, my host family took me to Germany to tour the Frankfurt/Cologne area and so they could visit some relatives. It was a very fun trip, and my first time visiting Deutschland. 

#7 Greek Theatre reproduction. I went to a beautiful reproduction of the Greek tragedy “Iphigenia in Aulis” written by Euripides. In addition to the production, the tragedy was performed in the Ancient Greek theatre in Siracusa. Simply breathtaking!

#8 Tattoo. My tattoo of the Sicilian island is something I’ve wanted to do for about three years, so I decided this summer would be the perfect time to get it.

#9 Alba. I randomly met Alba one night when I was out in Oritiga with Isaac and we have since then spent more time together. I’m disappointed we only met a couple weeks ago, but la vita è cosi. Ti aspetto in Sud Dakota, Ms. Rose. Mi mancherai tanto.

#10 Agrigento/Scala dei Turchi. My host family and I took a trip to Agrigento and we got to see the city center, Valley of Temples, and then La Scala dei Turchi.

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Looking back at all the things I was able to do and the people I met this summer, I am so pleased with how these two months have gone. Time goes by too fast, and I am so sad to have to leave this place that I can, now more than ever, call my second home. 

This has been the best summer of my life, and I don’t want to leave in four days

24 July 2015

Here are just a few more pictures from the evening walk in the “Vale dei Templi” or “Valley of Temples” during our trip to Agrigento. What a beautiful place!

24 July 2015

Down at the bottom of this post you’ll see a picture of me at “La Scala dei Turchi” or in English “The Turkish Steps”. We went to the Scala early this morning and did some cliff jumping, swimming, and enjoyed the hot summer day. It was around 100° Fahrenheit again so it was nice to actually go swimming!

Today marks just five more days here in Sicily. This summer has gone too fast.

Buonanotte

Andrew

22 July 2015

Today was a super busy, but good day. I spent all morning and part of the afternoon running errands with my host mum around Siracusa. 

It was, yet again, another blazing hot Sicilian summer day and so after lunch I sat under the air conditioner for a solid 90 minutes.

Tonight I went into Ortigia with my host mum Alessandra, host brother Stefano, host aunt Elena, host cousin Sofia, and my neighbor Federica. We ate at my favorite pizzeria (Castello Fiorentino) and walked around the little island. Even tonight, at 11:00pm, it was 90° - crazy hot!

Tomorrow and Friday I’ll be in one of Sicily’s most beautiful (and most toured) cities, Agrigento. I won’t have my computer with me but I’ll take my phone so I should be able to write on my blog.

Have a good day everyone

22 July 2015

Time just continues to fly by here. I’ve been here eight weeks now, and I can’t believe I only have one left.

Andrew

21 July 2015

This morning I helped my host mum move everything from the (now old) office to a new location. It was about 35° Celsius (95° Fahrenheit) today in Siracusa so it made for a loooong morning of moving.

We had lunch and then I took a nap and when I woke up it felt like I was waking from my freaking grave - it was an intensely heavy nap; so heavy that I dreamt and it was all in Italian - YESSSS! I think to myself nearly always in Italian, but dreaming in a foreign language takes it to an entirely new level. When I was in Italy on exchange three years ago I often dreamt in Italian (and even after I was back home in the USA), so when I woke up today and realized what had just happened I was so happy. 

I went swimming this afternoon at one of my host mum’s friend’s house and then tonight for supper we had one of my favorites - spaghetti with tomato, zucchini, and shrimp.

I am “stanco morto” and off to bed soon. See you tomorrow my friends!

Andrew

20 July 2015

I have 9 days left here in Siracusa ... NINE DAYS!!! That’s single digits...I want to cry :’(

Anyhow, I had another really good day here. I was home alone this morning/afternoon because my host mum was in another city and my host brother spent the night at a friend’s. I love interacting with my Italian host family and friends, but I really enjoy my alone time, so I read and wrote a lot this morning.

Tonight I had another fun evening with the lovely Alba (or Ms. Rose as I call her). We went in some shops, took some pictures, and walked around la bella Ortigia. There’s never a boring moment with her! 

Italy has such an affectionate culture (as you can see from above), and three years ago it took me some time to adjust, but now it’s all part of the norm to me. I love this place; I don’t want to think about leaving.

Andrew

19 July 2015

Happy Sunday everyone!

I have spent the morning and this afternoon at home with my host family and extended host family. For lunch we had salad, peppers, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, bread, etc. (the top picture). 

Since lunch I have been hanging out with my host cousin Sofia and she insisted on giving me another tattoo. Don’t worry, this time was with a washable marker. :) 

This evening I might be going out, but most things here are decided at the last-possible minute, so we’ll see.

Time just keeps flying by here; I can’t believe I only have 10 days left here...

18 July 2015

This morning I re-arranged some things in the garage with my host mum and then we ran some errands. We had pasta and salad for lunch (and I forgot to take a picture)!

After lunch I finished planning my final two English lessons for next week and then relaxed under the air conditioner. It’s nearly 110° Fahrenheit here when the humidity is added in - it is impossible to stay outside during the day!

Tonight I went to my host aunt and uncle’s house for a large supper with 25+ people. We had bread, pizza, four different kinds of pasta, and gelato. 

The title of this post “Ho Mangiato Troppo Pasta” translates to “I Ate Too Much Pasta”, you can figure out why I gave it this name. :)

Goodnight everyone

17 July 2015

Today I spent the morning and afternoon with my host mum having breakfast, running some errands, and then having lunch.

In the early evening I went to Ortigia (how many days in a row is it now?) to see one of my good friends from three years ago, Samantha. I met Sammy on my second day in Sicily and got to know her very well on the trip to Paris while on my exchange. When I was driving back home from Ortigia you could see Mount Etna from Siracusa, which isn’t so common because of the fog.

Tonight I went out to eat with my host brother Stefano and one of his friends. I am not at home and I am dying of slumber. Goodnight my friends!

16 July 2015

Hello friends

I didn’t sleep very well last night (I fell asleep without the air conditioner on so that meant for a long night), so getting up at 8:00 for English lessons was difficult; regardless, the lesson went well. I then went to Plemmirio with my neighbor Fulvio and translated a conversation for him and some English.

My beeeeest Italian friend Fabiana picked me up at 11:30 and we went to get frozen yogurt. I hadn’t seen Fabi in over a month so I was “molto felice” to see her again :)

This evening I went into Ortigia, got a horse meat sandwich from the famous Antonio & Gabriele Panineria here in Siracusa, and then I walked around Ortigia for the night. 

I really love that place, and like I’ve said a million times on this blog, I’m really going to miss it.

Have a great weekend everyone