Ischia

So about two weeks after school was finished all AFS students in Southern Italy were to gather at a small island called Ischia just a boat ride away from Naples. It was extremely hot and sunny every day. Sweating was a daily routine. The first full day after we arrived was spent mostly at the beach and by the pool side. That is where I received my second major burn...this time on my front. It was EXTREMELY uncomfortable...but luckily not nearly as bad as the first burn. The beach was gorgeous however.

The safety signs for emergency exit
..look like alien abduction signs

On the way to the beach

Predrag!!

Ahh..the beach

Lovely isn't it?

Sun and sand

Walking in the waves

Whoo!

Alyssa

Just chillin' ...getting burned

Go Canada

Poolside

That afternoon after lunch was full of activities and prep for leaving and going home, which was coming up very, very soon. It seemed strange. Seemed like just the other day we were being prepped for starting out.

Afternoon activities

Lawn

Lindsay and Alyssa

Mert

Supper!!

Asuka and Sue-sue

Me and Alyssa

Amr from Egypt

Mmmm pasta

Tierneigh and a volunteer discussing
our "emotional curves" of the year

Those past four days were spent with friends under the sun. We had our share of games and activities and prep. And at the end, a few tears were spilt, but not many because we knew we'd see each other again for a day in Rome before the Big Departure. It was hot and I will never forget the people I met there.. <3

So cheers to our friends,

-Mik

The After School Life

Life after school was over consisted mainly of sun burn and constant sweaty arm-pits. In a good way though. My first sun burn of the year was a bright red, blistering and painful, covering my entire back and backs of my legs. The best I could do was lay on my bed face down and not move. Ever. I could barely stand to wear clothes. The next day Antonella bought me some sort of cream..but after a few days there were still no signs of improvement. And finally one day I managed to ease on some shorts and a loose fitting shirt and flip flops, and I went out with Dario and we stopped at the pharmacy where they gave me a type of spray and  cream for my horrible burn. I thanked them and walked attempted to walk out the door somewhat normal. As soon as we reached our destination I made for the bathroom and applied the spray and sudden relief ran down from my shoulders all the way to my ankles. It was the most AMAZING thing ever! Within 3 days it was gone. This burn was all thanks to baking in olive oil, and not turning over the whole time, on the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean. Olive oil + glow-in -the-dark skin + hole in the ozone layer = MAJOR sun burn. Don't do it folks. Put on sunscreen. The heat in the summer is unbeatable. There is no escape. Out of all the other hot places I've visited, even closer to the equator than Italy, I've never felt sick from heat. But there it was something much different. It was not easy to get used to. Although days under the sun on the sand were quite enjoyable. Things under the sun always seem better don't they? Until you get burnt that is..