My Journey to Italia

Lovin' the Home-Stay

September 15, 2006
As I alluded to an earlier, initially I was having major reservations about the home stay. I thought my family was really nice and accommodating but I didn’t like the fact that I was so far away from the city center. I kept thinking the MiniResidences, which are pretty much exactly like dorms, would have been better. But now that its been a little over a week since I’ve been here I am very glad to have a home stay! The MiniResidences are full of partiers and drinkers who are all very immature. I don’t really like many of the people living in them and think they would drive me insane if I was there. They all stay up late and sleep during the day. I would never been able to sleep early if I were there. Plus, they have to cook for themselves. I love, love, love dinner at my home stay.

My host mom Laura is a super cook! Every night is something different and its all good. I won’t be able to go to Italian restaurants I the US after this because they won’t be ok. Everybody is always asking me what I ate for dinner because it’s such a treat every night. So far my favorite has been the shrimp pasta. Yum. I’ve also had turkey with pesto, cauliflower, mushrooms with seasoning and stuff on top, moist breaded stuff with vegetables, this wonderful carrot salad, cheese and bread with every meal, wine as an option (either wine or water, every night), dessert on some occasions (pastries with frosting, nuts and cream) and my choice of fruit after every meal. I’m gonna get so fat! And they feed me so much! There are around three courses to every meal. Each on a different plate even! And there really is tons of gelato in Italy; I’m working on finding the best place in Siena, as are many people. There are also crepes with nutella and the best German chocolate I’ve ever had! Ah, so much good food! When I get home its gonna be like I’m starving! Hopefully by then I’ll miss Mexican and Asian food so bad it won’t be too hard.

Enough about food though. My host family is just super cheery and accommodating all the time. They are always asking me how I am, if I need anything. I can use the phone when I need to, as well as the computer, as long as I ask. The smoke is a little bothersome, like right now, but with the window open I’m good. Mario is really funny, he always pinches his mom’s nose at dinner! We all eat together every night and that’s when I can try talking to them. I’ve tried watching some TV with them but its super hard to understand! Strange shows though, but they are long with little commercials which is refreshing.

I also have my own keys to get in the house so I can come in whenever I want and they don’t mind. They’ve had lots of students before so they know the routine. Every morning and every night they also kiss me on both cheeks before I go. It was a little strange at first but now is comforting. So at this point I like the home stay a lot. I wonder if they’ll take me anywhere or do anything with me as time goes on… that would be really cool!

posted by Madeline Faye @ 4:26 PM