Spring Break In Italy

Each year, the graduating 8th grade class at St. Francis School takes a trip to Italy. Please enjoy Zoe Watts' account of this year's trip...

Normally, when you ask a typical 8th grader how their spring break went, you’re not expecting an answer like, “I went scuba diving in Australia!” or “I went floating down the Amazon and got attacked by a crocodile!” or “I went half way across the world and saw a bunch of ancient temples and churches!”. But that's what I did, and I can tell you it was a lot more fun than staying home and playing video games for a week. For my 2011 spring break, most of my fellow 8th grade class members and I went to Italy. It was a lot of fun and a great experience. Not a lot of thirteen and fourteen year old kids get to go to Italy. I can tell you, it's an amazing feeling, getting on a bus in the morning and thinking about the trip ahead of you. Knowing that you won't have your cell phone, or mom, or TV is exciting but daunting. You don't even use the same type of money, electrical plugs or bathrooms in Italy. There are new sights, food, sounds, customs and language to see. A whole new world awaits.

I did a lot of things on this spring break, that I haven't done before. I ate cow stomach sandwich, walked through thousand year old churches with gold mosaics, stood in St. Marks Square and listened to the bells, saw a bunch of diseased saints in a crypt at the Vatican and got yelled at in a German airport. When you land in the Venice airport, you meet your guide and gather your luggage, but it takes time, (sometimes days) to register the fact that you're half way across the earth from home. You really gain a sense of independence, which stays with you when you come back home. Walking with four friends, in a “strange” country, alone with no adults around helps you to be more responsible and independent. Shopping, trying new foods and exploring the ancient temples is exciting and educational. Italy is a maze. You'll be walking down a Venice street, and come across a square. You pass shops, pigeons, people, street vendors, and then suddenly, a beautiful old church, randomly situated next to a gelato store appears.

The three most unique things about Europe and the U.S. are the daily life, food and culture. First of all, 9:00 pm in America is 4:30 am in Rome. If you’re looking for jet-lag, the other side of the world is the place to be. (Curse you science!) The food, gelato, pasta, pizza and even soda are different from the U.S. Authentic Italian pizza and gelato are a lot better than the American style. (It's also only 2.50 euros for three giant scoops of gelato plus whipped cream!) The pasta and pizza have their own original taste too. The pasta is the best ever. (I could honestly tell you, for a page, about how amazing Italian pasta is). Unfortunately, the three euro per can soda was more costly than what we're used to paying.. Lastly, the culture is so much different. Although most of it's in Italian, you hear snatches of conversation, and it dawns on you how different life in Europe is from the U.S. You meet new people, and make stronger bonds with the ones you already know. Italy is a very inspiring place.

The architecture in Italy is gorgeous. Venice is the epitome of the stereotypical Italy. In Venice the houses are tall, old, and beautiful. The streets are narrow, but you never know when you'll turn the corner and come across a magnificent canal or bridge. Then, of course, you can't go to Venice without taking a gondola ride. The places we went to were all unique. They almost had their own “personalities”. Ravenna, Florence (Firenze, known for the leather) and Rome (Ravenna on steroids). Rome is know for the temples, Roman ruins, and the Vatican City, but they were all special. Then there's Assisi. Down in the town, there is no speed limit or side walks, but there are stray dogs and shops. Then you'll turn a corner and see an ancient church. On my trip, the group and I traveled to a hermitage, where St. Francis prayed. The only noise is bird's chirping and if you sit quietly and listen, you can feel at one with nature and yourself. It sounds incredibly corny but its really serious. It's honestly the most peaceful place I've ever been. No cars or other city noises. (It sure beats my bedroom at home).

If you ever get the chance to go to Italy, choose it over staying home and playing “Call of Duty”. You may not think it at the time, but about a week after you return, you start thinking about a lot of things. The memories, the feelings, the friends you made, the lessons you learned, and that special feeling you had, as the plane took off... “I'm leaving my country, my language, my home, to explore something new in Europe...” . You learn a lot from the culture, surroundings and the country. Its one of those experiences you look back to, five years later and think, “I remember that!” or “Remember when...” then burst into tears. (It's more emotional then you think). Overall, my spring break was pretty awesome. I'll never forget any part of it, the memories, food, feelings and the friends.

~ Zoe Watts, 8th Grade