italy2018js-blog

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On the last day of the trip, I experienced a moment that really put everything into perspective and summarized my time in Italy. After our exams, we all went for gelato. I enjoyed this with some old friends along with many new friends as well. For nearly a week I had somewhat been missing home and hoping the trip would end sooner rather than later. However, this moment helped me actually open my eyes and realize that the trip was really over. Being with my new friends made me realize just how much I would miss all of them once we are back in Canada, as most of them live in Hamilton or Ancaster. I also realized how much my teachers would be missed. Ms Castellarin in specific was always so protective and was basically a mother away from home. Her along with all the other teachers had great influences on my experience and on my life, and this last night made me realize that I may never see them again. Of course I still want to go home and settle in, but this moment changed my view and I now feel as though I’m going to miss this trip more than I ever would’ve imagined.

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Late into our second last day in Italy, a rare moment occurred that will likely top my list of top experiences on the trip. We spent all day in Venice, and there were many memorable moments. However, through sheer surprise, we were able to witness a lunar eclipse at around 11:00 pm. I cannot even remember the last time I saw an eclipse first hand, hence why this was quite exciting for me. Furthermore, I feel that this surprise sighting perfectly exemplified my time on this trip. Though we had an itinerary, things didn’t always go to plan. However, some of our best memories were created from these unanticipated moments. To me, the eclipse was a sign of this, and it helped me reflect on my time even more than I already have been. On top of this, the sight itself was truly stunning and it felt very special that we could see it while back in Canada they could not. This displayed to me just how lucky I am to even be on this trip. I will use this thought to try to keep a positive attitude always, because I truly am blessed.

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Today I visited the city of Pisa for the first time ever. It definitely did not disappoint, as the leaning tower of Pisa was a clear highlight of this trip. I am quite interested in engineering, so obviously this structural wonder was quite intriguing to me. However, from a more basic standpoint, I was genuinely surprised by how the tower looked in person. Mr A told us that it leans on a 4 degree angle, but it seems like so much more which definitely helps it live up to its infamous name. It was also much larger than I anticipated and in fantastic condition. It was a structure unlike any I have ever seen before, and one that left me in pure awe similar to that of the CN Tower (the first time I saw it at least). However, what was most interesting was how unique it is from the other great structures of the world. It is not the largest or most glamorous, but there is just something about it that makes it so intriguing to gaze upon. Whether it’s the authenticity or the bizarre leaning, the image of the tower is definitely one that will stick with me for life. Now I can truly understand why it is considered one of the wonders of the world.

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Today we were exposed to an extremely luxurious side of Italy. I am not too immersed in fashion and jewelry, however the sights and huge brand names really took me back. The Patek Phillipe display was probably my favourite because it reminded me of the style donned by many of my favourite rappers and athletes. The other major displays I noticed included AP, Rolex, Cartier and many others. To me, it these brands especially, displayed a direct connection from Italian to Canadian and American culture. Italy is one of the highest end fashion countries in the world, and many of my idols actually travel here to purchase their jewelry among other expensive items. This was quite interesting to think about, and it helped me realize how lucky I am to be in this extremely prestigious setting. Finally, the idea of celebrities connected to this country reminded me of when I met NFL Hall of Famer Jerome “The Bus” Bettis last year in Italy. It is just yet another example of a famous, rich celebrity vacationing to Italy.

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After a long day of travelling, the group finally arrived in Florence. I was immediately reminded of many similar sights I witnessed on my family trip last year, however there was one new sight in particular that I was very intrigued by. The beautiful statue of Neptune is now partially visible, whereas last year it was completely covered up. I was extremely disappointed that I was not able to witness it last year because I am a huge fan of Roman and Greek mythology, thus why the statue would have been so interesting to study. I cannot explain how glad I was to have been able to see the majority of the statue as it was truly a surprise that I did not expect at all. My friends actually became annoyed with how much I was talking about the statue. This experience was unique to me and made me feel a way that others may not understand. However, this only makes the experience that much more special.

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Today was a highly anticipated one on our trip as it was marked as the day we would hike a beautiful mountain to gain access to a spectacular view from the top. We ended up having to hike two times as much as the usual for this trip, however this only added to the glory. I would consider myself to be in shape, yet reaching the top of this mountain was still a challenge that I am very glad I took on. The feeling of accomplishment when I reached the top was different than anything I have felt after winning a sports game or beating a video game. The view may be seen as the reward, but I genuinely felt as though just being a part of a special challenge and being able to complete it was rewarding enough in itself. The feeling was similar on the way down as well, as I decided to run down to further test my willpower and physical ability. The feelings I experienced at both the top and bottom are quite difficult to explain, but to put it simply, they were both wonderful feelings of accomplishment and success that I was thankfully able to enjoy with my peers and teachers as well. I cannot speak on how the experience was for them, however it seemed as though many were experiencing similar feelings to mine, which really made the whole adventure that much more special.

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After some class time in the morning, we were given the opportunity to shop in the market near our school. Items such as shirts, jewelry and other knickknacks were made available for very reasonable prices. Despite not buying anything, this was an extremely eye opening experience for me. It really reminded me of a typical garage sale back in Oakville. I used to participate in these actively, thus why the market created some nostalgic feelings. I feel as though not buying anything is symbolic of who I have become as a person through the years. Small, less glamorous items that used to fulfil my joy and happiness clearly no longer interest me as much as they used to. This may mean that as I have grown older, I have become more spoiled and entitled than I used to be. It’s quite an upsetting thought, however instead of pondering over it, I will instead try to use this wonderful experience to grow in a more positive direction in the future. It was a great moment to trigger some self realization that will hopefully lead to a change in attitude that I feel would be beneficial to not only me but also all of those around me. It has also inspired me to do something thoughtful (not necessarily expensive) for my family such as buy them all bracelets for when I return home.

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Near the end of an eventful day in Sulmona, I was able to experience a massive festival/party for the newly knighted. I have been to social festivals and celebrations before, but to be quite honest, I have never experienced one quite like this. Aside from the mass amount of people, music, and laughter, I encountered many other aspects that were quite new to me. They celebrated by creating some sort of coloured smoke that rose high into the air. The only other time I have seen something like this is when a similar occurrence takes place at Toronto FC home games. I also had little knowledge of knights in general, therefore this was a fantastic learning experience for me. I was able to adapt to the diverse music and order of the celebration. What struck me most was how as formal as it all was, civilians were still casually passing by or sitting in stores and restaurants nearby. I myself did this as well, as I bought a panini to enjoy while taking in the experience. The comradery of the event was something to behold as well, and I’m glad to have participated in the festivities while meeting new people at the same time. This experience was extremely inviting and a great way to celebrate our trip up to this point.

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Today we traveled to the natural park of abruzzo, a truly magnificent setting. I was quite taken back by the setting as a whole because I have simply never seen anything like it. Although most of what we have witnessed in Italy is ancient, it has been less geared toward the natural aspects of the country. The waterfall was beautiful, however it was the mountains I gazed upon during our hike that really displayed the beauty of Italy. With no construction or civilization in sight, I was able to fully appreciate the nature in its purest form. In a word, it was breathtaking. The sight of the mountains will forever stick with me and it is a memory I will never forget. This displays just how fantastic the scenery truly was. I may not have learned too much, however there are not many occurrences in ones life in which you know a certain mental image will stick for a very long time, if not forever. For me, this was a scene that I know I will not forget, and this is extremely special to me.

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Despite the large amount of time consumed by the long bus rides, the highlight of today was our visit to the lovely city of Pompeii. For me personally, this was an exciting learning experience, as my dad and I were disappointed to have missed out on visiting the city last year. Today was a way to make amends for that lost opportunity, and I was not disappointed. It was truly fascinating and shocking to think that this city was once completely covered by rock and ash. I was also intrigued by the fact that they are continually making new discoveries to this day. The history behind the city is quite difficult to completely believe and contemplate upon as it is just so extremely dramatic. I have never experienced a natural disaster first hand, but seeing them in the news is shocking enough. However, the destruction of Pompeii is arguably one of the largest natural disasters to ever occur on Earth aside from the splitting of Pangea. What is even more magnificent is how quickly and efficiently they have restored the city, and the fact that it’s discover was left purely to chance and luck. It really makes me think about how there are countless aspects of our world that, even with our advanced technology, we have yet to discover. Whether it is another hidden city or what lies at the bottom of the ocean, this visit to Pompeii has sparked my curiosity in the worlds greatest mysteries and natural disasters/occurrences.

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While exploring the beautiful city of Sulmona, myself along with a large group of guys came across this authentic local soccer pitch. Aside from the phenomenal view of the mountains behind it, the image of this field definitely struck me and resonated with me quite strongly. I enjoy playing soccer very much, therefore I have played at many amateur fields. I am also a fan, so I have been to fields such as BMO field in Toronto, a truly magnificent structure. However, this particular field falls somewhere in between. It is quaint while remaining professional and attractive at the same time. I have never really seen a field like this before, especially a professional one. I feel that this shows the passion for the game in Italy as they find it to be a necessity to have a field in such a small city. It shows me the distinction between this country and Canada. While Canada is growing in terms of its soccer world, today made it clear to me how important the game of soccer is in not only Italy, but likely in the rest of Europe as well. This is also displayed by the natural vegetation growing within the stadium. This clearly depicts how natural and worked in the soccer culture is in Italy. Though it is definitely not the prettiest stadium in the world or Italy for that matter, it proves to me how passionate other countries are about their unique aspects and interests.

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On a day mostly defined by our travel from Chieti to Sulmona, I had one experience that I feel will help me remember my time in Italy even better. During our stop at a shopping mall, I decided to buy some clothing from H&M as well as Nike. The one specific article of clothing that holds extra significance is the Roma tracksuit jacket I purchased from Nike. Seeing as I am a fan of the team, it is fitting that I decided to buy this. However, even more important than this is the fact that every time I wear the jacket, I will immediately think of this trip and all of my wonderful experiences. I did the exact same thing last year on my family trip, as I purchased a Totti jersey, which definitely holds much significance to me every time I wear or even see it. I believe that this tracksuit will have a similar effect based on my time during this trip. Also, I bought this shirt with some of the new friends I’ve made on the trip, therefore it will remain a memory and personal symbol for them as well. I am not an over sentimental person, however I feel that the Roma jacket displays my connection from Canada to this trip and to the country of Italy as a whole. Finally, I was already somewhat of a fan, but now I feel especially inclined to get more into the Roma culture and fam base. I will continue to follow them as well as purchase more paraphernalia.

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On this immensely important day, many fantastic events occurred. The most significant was arguably our visit to Ortona in which we were given the opportunity to explore the Canadian war veteran memorial. This was an opportunity to reflect and contemplate, as we saw that many of those who gave their lives were not much older than ourselves. This was a truly humbling experience and one that pulled at my heart strings. It is a memory and feeling that I know will stick with me for years and years to come. The rest of the day consisted of more uplifting experiences. Near the beach, Dante, Dom and I played soccer against locals and had a fantastic time. We then returned to the hotel to enjoy the World Cup final in which France took the victory. Clearly, this day consisted of many exciting and interesting events that contrast each other. However, I feel that the mix of overlying themes and meanings of these experiences allowed me to appreciate the uniqueness of each one of them. Both were learning experiences, and this day will definitely remain one of my most memorable from the trip.

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Today in Chieti I was paid a heartwarming visit from my relatives who live in Pescara. I met them last year on my trip to Italy with my family, however I was gone most of the day so I didn’t really get to know them too well. Mr. A was kind enough to sit down for about an hour with us and help translate for me so I could talk to them, and he held his own personal discussions with them as well. This definitely added to my Italian experience as it allowed me to sharpen up on my understanding of the language as well as learn about my relatives experiences. On top of this, it was a truly inviting experience to get to know Mr. A a bit better. He is obviously not my teacher therefore I really hadn’t talked to him up to this point, but now that I have, I’m very glad I got the opportunity to. This has reinforced my personal goal to meet as many new people on this trip as possible, and it really gives me some confidence that a few could end up becoming good friends of mine in the future once all is said and done. This experience was very encouraging and I feel as though it helped me learn more about others as well as myself. I have developed a newfound goal of leaving some sort of an impact on at least some of the other people on this beautiful trip alongside me.

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After a later than usual 8 o clock dinner, my friends and I decided to go out and explore the many fun activities occurring in Chieti on this specific night. Primarily, there were many singers and dancers to entertain the masses. I instantly drew connections to home and the kinds of things I saw on Canada day for example. However, the mood was so content and uplifting that I had no time to feel homesick at all. It was one of the first true Italian bonding experiences we have witnessed and actually been a part of. We laughed and danced with locals and each other, despite not necessarily understanding the singing. There is no doubt that I was able to appreciate this experience due to the similarities to festivals and social gatherings back in Canada. They are similar, yet they each possess unique qualities and overall feelings to them that make each just as special as the other. I found that Italy has more togetherness celebration, while in Canada we tend to focus more on trying new things specifically. In either case, these celebratory experiences are just plain fun and this was an extremely significant moment on my trip that I know may not happen everyday.

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On this extremely hot day, we travelled from Chieti to Pescara. I came to this city around the same time last year with my family, as my nonna used to live in the area. Aside from the mini nostalgic experience, I felt that the most intriguing aspect of the city was the beach. It is the first Italian body of water we have seen in such close proximity, and it was truly amazing. The water was a beautiful shade of blue, and the overall atmosphere was extremely fun and uplifting. This atmosphere resonated through the entire city as well. My friends and I witnessed locals playing soccer, many people biking, street performers, and an overall comradery between all residents of the city. The city was essentially a combination of the glamour of Rome and the tightly noted family atmosphere in Chieti. Witnessing all of this put me in a great mood which resulted in an enjoyable day despite the heat. Finally, this balance of glamour and calmness really reminded me of Oakville, and while it may have made me a bit homesick, it was important for me to see how each Italian city is unique in its own ways while they also include aspects that connect to Canadian cities.

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After a bus ride from Rome to Chieti, most of my day was spent relaxing. However, this perfectly exemplified the mood of the day and the city itself. In comparison to Rome, Chieti is a much more calm and secluded area. I feel that this first day here was a great opportunity to bond with others on the trip as well as appreciate a different aspect of Italy. I went for a gelato with a few friends and we sat down (shown in the picture) for nearly an hour just chatting and even greeting the locals that passed us. This really showed me the contrast between the luxurious side of Italian culture and the inviting, relaxed side. Later in the day, more bonding occurred as most of the guys got together to watch the World Cup game. This setting coincided with the overall atmosphere of the city, as strangers are friendly to each other and open to new things and new people. While Rome was sometimes overwhelming in terms of the chaos on the streets, everyone in Chieti is so polite and not in a hurry. The fact that we did not walk around for hours seeing new things exemplifies this collective calmness among everyone in the city. The reason I chose this image is because the streets are fairly empty and it was just such a casual setting, and I feel that this allowed each of us to simply take a breath and really begin to get to know each other.