Ciao a
tutti! It's been a while since I last wrote, but here I am with fresh stories
from my adventures over the past two weeks. It's hard to believe it's almost
been a month since I arrived; time really does fly when you're having fun! In
recent days, I've found myself enjoying my time here. Everything is becoming
more familiar, and I'm feeling much more at ease, making this adventure even
more enjoyable.
I've
already spent a few weeks attending school here, and let me tell you, it's
quite different from what I'm used to in Belgium. The school system in Italy is
more chaotic, with larger class sizes, fewer tests, different course levels,
rules, and schedules. Adapting to this new environment has been, and still is,
challenging. The school days seem never-ending, even though they officially end
at 13:40. We start our day at 8 in the morning with three consecutive lesson
hours, each lasting 50 minutes, followed by a 10-minute break and another set
of three following lessons. That means five days a week of six long hours of
school. I consider myself fortunate because many schools in Italy also have
classes on Saturdays, but luckily, I do not! Imagine…
With school
ending so early, I have plenty of time to explore. While most people here are
busy studying for their big tests, my teachers have told me that I don't need
to take those tests, which I’m quite happy about! The last few days, I've been
wandering through the picturesque narrow streets of my neighborhood, behaving like
a true tourist, reading books, watching series to improve my Italian, and, of
course, indulging in the culinary delights of Sicily!
S
Sicily offers
a lot of specialties, and I've had the pleasure of trying a few of them.
Martina and I visited a charming shop that sells the finest cannoli in all of
Italy. Cannoli is a beloved Sicilian dessert consisting of a rolled cookie
shell filled with a creamy filling of your choice, such as ricotta, pistachio,
chocolate, nuts, and more.
One of my
absolute favorite Sicilian treats is granita, a semi-frozen dessert made from
water, sugar, and fruity juices. It comes in various flavors like pistachio,
coffee, lemon, almond, and more. Most Sicilians enjoy granita with a
"brioschia," a sweet bread. The combination of dipping the brioschia
into the granita is simply heavenly; it's a taste sensation!
Sicily also offers a wide array of specialties that we enjoy at least
once a week, it’s called rustici. You can find rustici in local rosticcerias,
and they come in countless variations. Rustici are essentially pastries made
from puff pastry with various fillings, typically enjoyed throughout the whole
day. Among the many types, my personal favorite are the ones with meat and
tomato fillings.
As you've
probably gathered, Italy is known for its cuisine, and one thing I must be
mindful of is not getting too much out of shape. After a few weeks of snooping
of these Sicilian delicacies, I felt a strong urge to get active. So, we took
the initiative to search for gyms and swimming pools. Unfortunately, the Modica
swimming pool was closed initially, but this week, I received great news—it's
reopening, and there's even a swimming club! I'm thrilled to finally get back
to my training routine and meet new people. Additionally, I've joined a nearby
gym, which is just a 200-meter walk away. With these activities, I'm confident
I won't have to worry about staying in shape!
Of course,
I haven't just been eating my way through Sicily; I've also embarked on several
exciting trips. Martina and I even embraced our inner tourists by hopping on
one of those tourist trains that guide you around Modica (with some interesting
background music…). We've explored shopping malls, dined at cozy restaurants,
and had some great nights out. These past two weeks have been truly delightful,
and I hope the upcoming ones will be just as fantastic. I have many exciting
plans for the days ahead, which I'll be sure to share with all of you!
😉
Tanti baci da
Modica, Noor xx
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