June 11 - I arrived at the airport in Milan (Milano- Malpensa). I was really excited to meet Stefania and her family. Once I got my bag and got through customs, I found Stefania and her parents with a big sign that said LINDY! I gave Stefania a big hug and we did that kiss on the cheeks thing. I then met her parents and her dog, Rocky. We all got into the car and took the 2 ½ hour drive to Cremona. Once we got to the house, I got settled into my room. I was exhausted, so I took a 2 ½ hour nap and once I got up, Stefania and I walked around her neighborhood and sold Bingo tickets. We got back and ate dinner which was a pasta and then some type of big chicken (really yummy). Afterward, Stefania and I looked at pictures and went to bed.

June 12 - Stefania and I woke up this morning at 9:30 (which was 3:30 my time) and went to the center of town to buy bread from the bakery (oh, and Rocky came of course). When we got back, Stefania taught me an Italian card game, which I was really bad at, and then we ate lunch. Afterwards, S’s mom drove us (including Rocky) to a big, beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. It was not Lake Como. Stefania said this was even prettier and not so touristy; where the Italians vacation. We took a ferry to the island in the middle and had a nice delicious ice cream. Then we drove back home, had dinner (pasta and some kind of steak and bread). After that, I called mom for about an hour and then to bed.

June 13 - Today, we woke up at 7:30 (1:30 Jax time but I’m starting to get used to Italian time). S, her two friends, Franchesca and Keyaira and I walked to the bus stop to take the bus to Cremona. We shopped all morning and ate lunch. After that, we took a bus to another part of Cremona where there was a huge mall! It felt just like home. So, we shopped some more. S’s mom picked us up at about 3:30 and she drove us to a part of the Po River, the longest river in Italy! When we got back, I was so tired I took a nap. Then, we ate dinner (at 8:00 as usual) and later S took me (by bike) to a place where she and her friends learn dances. They danced to Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne.

While we were in Cremona, we went into a church that was built in the 1300’s.

June 14 - Today, S, her mom and I drove to Brescia, a little town in the foothills of the Alps. It was so beautiful! It had lots of shopping and statues everywhere. I saw one of Dante, the guy who wrote Divine Comedy. We also went into a beautiful cathedral built in the 1300’s. While I had my camera out, a man walked up to S and I and said we had to leave because we were wearing sleeveless shirts in a church of God….but at least I got a little video. After that, we all had an ice cream cone. Then, we drove about five minutes to a beautiful castle that overlooked Brescia and all of the other towns around it. The view was spectacular. Afterward, we went home and ate dinner. I had my first Italian pizza. For one person, it was the size of a medium Domino’s pizza! I could only eat half, while everyone else finished theirs with room for dessert. We had dessert at S’s grandfather’s house (I couldn’t eat). He is very nice and kept saying “bella, bella” to S and me. Then, we played an Italian card game called Briscola (Bree-s-colah). S and I lost, but it was close.

Purchases made so far:
Shirt 10 euros
Bra 3
Perfume 5
Dress 8

June 15 - Today, S and I went to a water park. It was a lot like Adventure Landing but nicer. I got a little burnt even though I put on sunscreen twice…oh well. We left at about 3:00 and I took an amazing shower. Tonight, the family is going into town to play a game of Bingo. I might have a little trouble since I don’t know my Italian numbers very well.

June 17 - Today, the whole family and I took the two hour drive to Milan. We parked far away from where we wanted to be so we took the subway to get there. It was my first subway ride. It goes so fast! The very first thing I saw getting up the stairs was the most beautiful cathedral in the world. It was so detailed it’s impossible to believe they built it without any of our modern technology. We got to go to the top of the cathedral and the view was great. Afterwards, we walked around a little bit and visited an old (huge) castle built for the Sforsica family. Then, we ate lunch and headed back. I relaxed for awhile then ate dinner and after that, we went to a singing competition for S’s youth group.

Purchases:
Shot glass 4 euros

June 18 - Today, S and I went to our first day of the Grest. The Grest is a Catholic Church sponsored camp for kids. Everyone was really nice to me and they all made an effort to speak English to me. They would ask things like: what is your favorite color and what is your father’s job? It was funny. We left early because S needed to go to Cremona to find her grades. We walked around there for awhile and then headed back. Now, we are about to eat dinner and then go visit with S’s grandmother.

June 19 - Today, we went to the Grest again. It was fun. I am getting to know everyone better and they’re being so nice helping me with Italian and trying to speak English. I also got to touch a soccer ball. It feels like forever since I played soccer. Everyone I played with was young but it was still fun. After, we had a water day. I ended up being totally soaked because everyone wanted to get the American girl wet. It was fun. We got home and relaxed then ate dinner. Later, S’s parents had some friends over for dessert. Tomorrow to Venice!

June 20 - Today, we woke up at 5:30 to catch the train to Venice! It was just me, S, her mom and grandpa. The train went from Robecco to Brescia, then Florence. The first thing I saw coming out of the train station was what is on every post card for Venice: a beautiful strip of old buildings right on the water. I was amazed. Venice was this way everywhere: absolutely no cars just boats and gondolas (the row boats). We stayed in Venice all day and left at 5. The ride home got backed up some so we didn’t get home until 9ish. Despite the time, S’s mom still made dinner. Again I was amazed.

Purchases:
Fan 3 euros
Shirt 7.50

June 21 - Today, S and I went to the Grest again. It was the day that everyone went to the local pool. It also had a big lawn for everyone to do what they want. I played a little soccer. There was a smell of manure around this area probably because of all the farming around us. When we were in the pool we had to wear these swimming caps to keep our hair from falling out into the water. I felt weird wearing it but it was still really fun. We got home and relaxed for a couple hours then at 9:00, yes, 9:00 we went out to dinner with the people in her church’s chorus. Everyone was really nice and I met people that spoke English! The food was great. It was all outside and a beautiful night.

June 22 - We went to the Grest again today. It was a scavenger hunt and there was this huge list of different random things we needed to find. We went all over Robecco to people’s houses to find them (Robecco is about the size of Ortega Forest). The whole time I had no idea what we were looking for so I just went along for the exercise. We got home and had dinner then went next door to Franchesca’s house because it was her dad’s birthday. His sister-in-law spoke English well so I had a good time talking with her.

June 23 - Today was an eventful day but started out slow. I woke up then ran some errands with S, her mom and Franchesca. After, we ate lunch then went to the pool. Nothing unusual until I saw a naked man in the girls’ bathroom….I freaked out! We got back and went to S’s cousin’s house to eat dinner. Then we drove into Cremona to meet two of S’s friends, Nickolas and Alberto, but they were with a ton of snobby girls so they didn’t even talk to us. We went with one of S’s other friends to a café (but it was more like a night club to me). Everybody there was smoking, except S. It was disgusting. But now it’s 2:30 and I want to go to bed.

June 24 - Today started out slowly too. We woke up late and lounged around, ate lunch then we drove into the mountains. They were definitely one of the prettiest sights I’ve ever seen in my life. There were streams and meadows and trees, everything! All this was only an hour and a half from S’s house. We got home and ate dinner. Then S and I me her cousin, Veronica, at a café and we all had drinks, talked, then went home.

June 25 - Today we went to the Grest again. In the morning everyone painted pasta different colors then made necklaces out of them. In the afternoon we played different outdoor games, like tug of war. I had a good time. When we got home, I took a shower, then my family and Franchesca went out to a pizzeria where we ordered a pizza that again turned out to be huge. I had to split mine with S. Am still full.

June 26 - We went to the Grest again today. In the morning we got the choice to either paint or dance, so I danced. I learned some routines to a bunch of Italian songs. It was fun. In the afternoon it was another water day but this time I was successful in not getting wet. We got back and had to hurry because S had a dance lesson. I went to that from 9 to a little past 10:30. Everyone danced well and it made me want to dance again.

June 27 - Today was my last day in Italy. S and I went to our last day of the Grest where we danced again in the morning. The afternoon was spent playing outdoor games with the little kids. All the little kids really liked me so it was sad to say goodbye. When I got home I packed up some of my stuff and ate dinner. Stefania’s aunt, uncle and grandmother came over, along with Franchesca and her family to say goodbye. It was sad saying bye to everyone, especially Franchesca; I really liked her. Now, I’m going to sleep for the last time in Italy. But tomorrow I’m going home! I really miss everybody so I’m excited, but I’ll really miss Italy.