STAY-STUDY IN SICILY
Since 14 up to 21 April 2001 a group of 19 young students of the ESI courses in Maastricht, Sittard ed Heerlen (aged between i 10 ed i 12 years) they have made a stay of cultural study in the locality of Riposto, on the Catania coast, accompanied by the teachers Giusy and Renata and by two assistants.
The main purpose of the stay was the exchange of didactic experiences with peers from the local Elementary School “G. Cock” and Middle School “L. Pirandello”, to which it has been added, during the stay, a visit to the adjacent Nautical Technical Institute “L. Rizzo”.
This initiative intended to give continuity to the cultural exchanges already made in past years with other Italian schools, since they have proved to be particularly significant, and for young Italian-Dutch who attend ESI courses, and for the pupils and teachers of the host schools. E’ conviction of ESI and its teachers in fact, that these stays and cultural exchanges constitute an essential step in the rediscovery, by the young Italian-Dutch, of their Italian origins and the culture of their fathers, as well as a stimulus to deepen the study of the Italian language. From this point of view also, ESI considers it very important to establish a dialogue and an ongoing relationship (essentially via e-mail and the Internet) between the students of the two different realities.
The welcome received by the group “Dutch” in the three schools she was extremely warm, and the sympathy and availability shown by the Didactic Director, by the Headmasters, the teaching staff and the students impressed the group beyond all expectations.
For all this, the ESI expresses its sincere gratitude.
Over the course of the week, the group had the opportunity to visit Catania, Taormina, Agrigento (the Valley of the Temples), Palermo, and to go on an excursion to Etna.
The following pages show the reflections of some young people on this experience in Sicily and some group photos.
A WEEK IN SICILY
(Travel experiences of some students)
My holiday in Sicily
About two weeks ago I took a trip to Sicily with my Italian teacher, Giusy Anfuso. I had never been to this island and I must say that it is much more beautiful than I imagined.
What struck me the most are the colorful landscapes and the silvery and very clean sea. We have visited many cities : Catania, Taormina, Palermo and Agrigento, where we visited the Valley of the Temples, there we could see the catacombs and admire the best preserved Greek temple in the world and a two thousand year old olive tree. There were many ruins near the temples, among which ” the giant “. We also saw a church decorated with golden mosaics depicting God and the story of Noah. We climbed the tower and from which we could admire a beautiful panorama.
On our way to Taormina, with train, you could admire green expanses overlooking the sea. We had the opportunity to go to the Etna volcano, dove, for the first time, I went on a cable car. I liked it a lot, though, I have to admit it, I was a little scared! Exploring a volcano is a beautiful experience: interesting and fun at the same time!
We also visited the pupils of an elementary school where I had a lot of fun! But the funniest place of all was definitely the coach where, all together, we spent the time singing and joking.
My trip to Sicily.
we had to 1 waiting for hours at the Deijl. From there we went to the Amsterdam airport. We had to 2 check in hours in advance. After that we had to go find our plane and wait until we could go through customs. The plane was from Transavia airlines.
It was very hot on the plane. We all had a map that said where to sit. For example 5A then you had to sit by the window. Taking off was a lot of fun, because at first we drove slowly and then we drove hard and we ascended diagonally. The higher we went the more your ears hurt.
When we finally got to the right height, the pain went away. On the plane you were told everything you had to do if, for example, the plane crashed. We also got to eat on the plane. Before landing we all got a very sharp peppermint candy no. The landing was also very nice. At the airport we first had to find our stuff.
Then we went to the hotel by bus, where we got rooms. I was in the room with two friends and a very nice mother. We were all very tired from the trip so we went to bed early that day.
It was Easter on Sunday. Rosanna, Wilma and I went to the beach. Gioia didn't come because she had a stomachache and was sleeping. We went to Catania mall the first day.
There was also a very large park in Catania. That park was called Villa Bellini. In the park was a clock and a date made with grass, which is replaced every day.
We also went to other cities like Taormina, Palermo and other places. We also went to different schools and different churches,and a catacomb from the 19th century and on ETNA, the highest volcano in Europe.
There were many more activities but too many to mention. The day we left was Saturday. The plane took off at 8 o'clock so we had to 6 hours being there on the plane. We had to take a kind of bus to the plane. When we arrived in the Netherlands we had to be taken to the Deijl in the bus again. After that everyone went home happy.
This was my trip to Sicily.
My holiday in Sicily.
The night we left on the bus I was really tired. 3 hours before we left I was in bed. After my father took me to Hoensbroek. When we got there, my father had to deliver the money I had to bring to my teacher Giusi.
the first day we arrived at the hotel, we arranged the luggage. After that we ate. Around four we went by bus to Catania. From one to four we got a little bored. Once in Catania we went to the park, Villa Bellini.
The rest of the days we visited Palermo, Agrigento and Taormina. One afternoon we visited Etna, we went up with the cable car to the top. It was very cold, but we could rent the anoraks.
Thursday and Friday we visited 2 Riposto schools. This experience was very positive for me because it is an experience that is not done every day. The group was very nice. I ate very well in Riposto.
The 10 June I will see all the boys again, we will exchange photos and see the video- cassette. This experience is certainly worth repeating. I hope that in the next few years it will be done again and that other guys can participate.
Giuseppe Melpignano