Amici

One of the greatest parts of experiencing another culture is getting to know the people.  I am extremely excited about this part of the trip!  I had the wonderful opportunity to become friends (amici) with an Italian exchange student during my time in high school.  Her name is Alessandra, and we still try to keep in touch as much as possible.

Italians, for the most part, live in the city or the towns and develop strong ties to their towns, neighborhoods, homes and families.  This is a great trait to be admired because family is very important to them.  They truly enjoy eating and cooking, and their biggest meal is actually midday.  Lunch is huge because the entire family usually comes home to enjoy it together.  It is the key opportunity to spend time with each other.

Italians enjoy doing activities with their families as well.  Soccer is the most popular sport, not only big games on the weekend, but in most every park children are seen playing it as well.  Basketball also is big among Italians.  Specific family activities include a passeggiata (family stroll), driving to the seashore or the mountains or even just watching TV. 

I look forward to interacting with them and hopefully meeting more amazing friends, like Allesandra.

Here Ally and I enjoy dinner at a Pizza Hut in my hometown, even if it is not quite the same as Italians' pizza.