Speyer: fourth project meeting - Eleonora's report

This is what Elenora wrote for this meeting:

Comenius Project: One of the best experiences in my life!!!!

It was the 30th of November when we started our trip to Speyer, Germany. 

I was really excited but also a bit worried because it was the first time I had a long coach trip like that although it wasn't my first time out of Italy. At 18:00 we met at the central station in Pescara where we took the bus, and at about 18:30 our 'adventure' began. The first thing the teachers Cianci and Cantoro told me, Maria Cristina, Elisabetta, Mauro and Francesca was to enjoy the week but also to be serious and respectful. The trip lasted about 20 hours, during which I tried to sleep but it was impossible because the bus was very noisy and when I fell asleep we arrived at the German border where the police stopped us to control our ID cards. It was a very long break because there were a lot of migrants on the bus with us and not all their passports where in order. 

At about 13.30 we arrived in Karlsruhe where we had lunch with a kebab and took the train to Speyer. We were all talking on the train when Ms Cantoro, our German teacher, listened that the last coaches of the train would be separated from the rest of the others and come back in Karlsruhe. Guess what? We were in one of the last coaches, so at the following station we got off the train and ran to try to get on an other coach, but we arrived a second later. The train was gone....

So we had to wait for the following train to Speyer, where we arrived safe and sound at 15:30.

Once in Speyer I met my German partner, Julius, and his family. They have been so sweet with me!!

I immediately liked Speyer, it's a wonderful town especially during Christmas time when there are the typical German ''Weihnachtsmarkt"'' which are Christmas markets.

The second day, in the morning I went to school with Julius where I met my friends and a lot of foreign students from France, Poland and, of course, Germany. In the afternoon we visited the Speyer cathedral and the historical center, at 18:00 we came back to school where some German students prepared a party for us, where we met the English students who were just arrived.

During the other days we had a lot of funny activities such as ice skating which was my favourite. We also presented our work, a ''week tour in the Province of Pescara'' and listened to the other students presentations. The last night the German students organized a party in the Quartiersmensa, it was very very funny but also sad because I had to say goodbye to all the people I met there. It was very hard especially when arrived the moment to wave off the ones with whom I've particularly bonded, I cried a lot!!

The trip back (by plane, this time!) was strange, we were happy to come back home and see our families and friends but we were also sad because the ''adventure'' was over.

Now I can say that I will never forget this experience because it was funny, of course, but also very interesting and full of important things I've learned keeping in touch with so many foreign friends.

Thanks a lot to all the German teachers, students and families for their warm hospitality!

I'm also grateful to my teachers who allowed me to take part to this amazing experience and to all the people I met during this two-year project!

All the best and lots of hugs, you'll be always in my heart!

Eleonora Del Mastro