The experiences I had this summer were so abundant in quantity and quality that, if rationed more evenly, I believe that they could have satisfied my lust for adventure until the end of my days....

First a 16 year old girl named Federica Bartolini from Cocagglio, Italy came to stay with me. The initial meeting and settling in was stressful enough to leave me nervous for a few days, but we quickly eased into the routine of living with each other. Her quiet, non abrasive personality allowed us to function more like sisters than strangers.

We experienced Florida together with leisurely extravagance; visiting Sea World, Universal, the springs, the beach, Devil Rays games, Cubs games, golfing, concerts and good times with other Florida youths.

... Then we went to Italy. My end of the deal was simplified immensely since 1- Federica came here first and 2- She and her mother both spoke beautiful English.

First impressions included: Wow, the cars are really small. Sheesh, they drive really fast, but I cant tell how fast because the speedometer is in kilometers. Jeez, all the guys I have seen are vastly superior in looks to the American ones. Golly, this language is beautiful, I wish I could speak it.

I fit in perfectly with the family. I was the fourth seat at the rectangular dinner table. I was the occupant for their empty room. I was the sauce on their spaghetti, in my eyes.

We spent the first two weeks with Federica's grandmother in a quaint seaside village called Recanati. The beach served as our home almost every day and I made some friends who I shall never forget. Beach volley was a mainstay of activity as well as eating, swimming, chicken fighting, playing cards and lounging. From Recanati we made a few side trips including Rome (where we saw the Pope), Assisi, Frassasi, Ravenna and Loreto. I also had the uniquely strange experience of dancing the YMCA in an Italian disco and being the only one to know any of the words other than "YMCA."

We spent the second two weeks in the families' hometown of Cocagglio. From there we ventured forth to Venice, and Milan. Simply put, Venice is incredible. In Milan we saw "The Last Supper." We also attended a futbol game which was sheer madness due to fireworks in the stands chanting of vulgarities and hundreds of polizia in full riot gear- I loved it. We also visited Bergamo and Gardaland ( a theme park). Furthermore, we spent a few days in their mountain flat where we went out to gather blueberries, raspberries and strawberries to make jam.

From Coccaglio I met family friends and became more in tune with Italian daily life. Throughout my experience I was delighted by the graffiti that was all over. It could be a menace but for the most part it seemed to me a modern extension of Italy's tradition of beautiful art.

My impression of the Italian youth was surprisingly similar to American youth. Largely fashion conscious and very social, but a bit more communist sentiment- there were Che Gavarra shirts everywhere.

By the end of my trip I wasn't ready to leave but, all good things must come to an end. And, I must face my own reality, as it were.  

So, what I have done here is make one long beautiful story short. I ate great food provided by my host mother Donatella, I attempted to talk sports with my host father Luciano, I shared 2 months of life with Federica and I made a life that was incredibly difficult to leave. Luciano so kindly made videos of all that we did, which I have not yet summoned the willpower to watch without crying. My friends also helped to weaken the blow of leaving my nascent Italian life by giving me a surprise welcome home party. hoorah! For all of this I am eternally grateful to my friends, my family, my host family, and the Rotary.  Viva Rotary! Viva Italia!