My week with Ginevra Bianco

Dear friends,

at last I have a little time to write!

Well, my new Italian friend is Ginevra Bianco. I've been with her since Saturday morning when my friend Francesco took me to school.  At the end of the lessons I hugged Francesco and went home with Ginevra. Her house is  very large and cosy. I met her family: her mother Anna, her father Gianluca and her beautiful sister Marta. At lunch we ate a typical dish of Puglia,  "rice potatoes and mussels". Really yummy! In the afternoon, I studied a bit of Italian and then Ginevra asked me to go to the hairdresser's with her. Everybody there was curious about me and made me many questions.

In the evening I went out with her, Sofia and other fantastic friends. It was very funny. We also visited "Piazza Commestibili", an important square located in the towncentre of Mesagne.

 

On Sunday morning Ginevra and I went to the Mass. There are many churches in Mesagne. 

Ginevra is a member of "Mater Domini" parish. At lunch time Ginevra's family, her paternal grandparents Antonio and Angela, and I we went eating to a restaurant located on the outskirts of Mesagne. In the afternoon, Ginevra and her family took me to visit the "Norman Swabian" castle of Mesagne. 

The castle dates back to the XI century and it is certainly the most representative monument of the city. It was built as a "fortified fortress", but nowadays it is a museum. On Monday morning, unfortunately, Ginevra and I had to separate because she had to go to school, but lukely at lunchtime we met again. 

In the afternoon I helped Ginevra to study literature because the next day she had the written test on "Dante" and the "Divina Commedia". 

This evening I tasted for the first time "pizza margherita", that is a kind of focaccia topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Now it's late. It's time to sleep in my soft and warm bed. I promise I'll write to you soon.

                                love, 

                                   Odysseas

          

A wonderful journey with Francesco

Dear friends,
I want to tell you about my adventures with Francesco. On 4th January Francesco, his family and I left Italy to spend a holiday abroad. First we went to Milan by car, then we flew to Dubai. It took six hours to get there. Dubai is a very modern city with high skyscrapers. On our first day in DubaI we swam in the sea and sunbathed. We also visited the aquarium: it has got a great variety of fish. Finally we had fun walking along the promenade and we had dinner in a typical restaurant.
The following day we set off on the cruise. This is me on the wonderful staircase and in my comfortbable bed. 

Our first stop was Abu Dhabi, where we visited the mosque. Believe me! It is one of the best places I've ever seen. I took all these photos to show you how wonderful it is. 

We also visited the royal palace and a shopping centre, the biggest in the world. While I was doing some shopping I made friends with a strange cat. We enjoyed ourselves trying sunglasses on. 

On the second day we stopped in Muscat, where we visited the suk, a big market where you can buy souvenirs, carpets and typical Arabian objects. On the third day we stopped at Al- Khasab, where we saw dolphins and the fiords. I loved sunbathing while I was on the ship. 

We came back home after six days. 
It was the best holiday I've ever had. 

        I'm happy Daniele is having fun with you.
                   I miss you a lot.
                              Love, 
                                    Odysseas

My holiday with Sofia Librale

Dear friends, 

I spent a week with a new friend, Sofia Librale. 

Rebecca and I went to the park where we met Sofia. She is a sweet, cute girl. We spent all the afternoon playing in the park. We liked sliding down the slide, playing with the swing... it was very funny.

In the evening I met her family: her father Claudio, her mother Valeria, her dog Kiko. They were all happy to meet me. Then I visited their house. I love Sofia’s bedroom. It’s so wonderful to listen to music there. 

Sofia’s mother is a great cook! I like her chicken rolls, salad and baked potatoes. Very yummy! 

. 

On 28th  December  we  played bingo with some of  her friends. There were also some presents and I won a scarf. It’s so beautiful and useful even because in this period it is very cold. 

 

On 29th December  we went shopping with her mother Valeria. Of course I wore my new scarf and Sofia said I looked fashionable. 

We bought a traditional Italian cake called “Panettone Pandoro” that Italians usually eat at Christmas and some snacks. 

Then at about 6 we went to the bar for a snack and we had some biscuits and a cup of hot chocolate. Yummy!

On 30th December I helped  Sofia with her homework. She had to study literature, an Italian writer, Dante Alighieri. He is famous because he wrote the Divine Comedy.

At Lunchtime we ate pasta with tomato sauce and meat (it is called "ragù"). Finally I ate a banana, a slice of pineapple and grapes for dessert. I was full :-)

On 31st December evening Sofia and her family took me to the wonderful  restaurant called “Villa Leta” to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

We ate lots of good things. Before midnight we counted down for the New Year. It was very funny.

We spent the 1st New Year’s day with Sofia’s aunts, uncles and grandparents. It was a lovely day.

I’m very glad I’ve known Sofia and I’m sure I’ll miss her and her family.

What about you? What about your Christmas holidays? 

I’m looking forward to hearing from you. 

                      Hugs, Odysseas