What were you grateful for this week?
My host parents.

What was the most challenging part of this week?
Learning to drive stick shift!

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week. 
I helped clean up dinner.

Tell us about your week! 
This week was crazy, but fun! On Thursday, I had the opportunity to go to an island that is close by to my village. It was beautiful. We did have to take a 45 minute ferry ride to the island and I get seasick very easily, so that wasn’t very fun. The port of the island was very touristy, but once you get a few blocks in it starts to look less touristy. We went to a beach that was absolutely breathtaking. This beach didn’t have sand, but rocks. They were white, brown, grey, with speckles all over them. I brought a few home so I could take to my family in America.

That night, my host family had an aperitif at the Bed + Breakfast they own and was able to meet and speak with more English speakers. They were very excited to speak to me and understand how to better pronounce words and how to use them properly. We stayed out very late, so when we walked to the cars I was able to see some of my first lightning bugs! We don’t have them where I live in America. I almost started crying because of how majestic all the fireflies looked flying about (honestly, probably because I was tired mostly hahaha).

This past weekend I was also able to go to a small beach town just below Cinque Terre. We weren’t able to make it to Cinque Terre, but I know that I will go there sometime this summer. It was a weekend full of relaxing and getting to know the other Travelers. However, the best part of the trip was the SUSHI! I’ve been craving sushi for days. I love pasta, but it was a good break from the norm.