A Year in Italy

I've always wanted to be an exchange student, and now my dream has become reality. And what better place to spend a year than in Italy. I will be living in Brescia, a city in northern Italy. It sits at the base of the Alps right next to Lago di Garda. Could I ask for anything more?

Friday, December 15, 2006

The Italian Disco is unlike anything I've ever experienced. I arrived at the Disco around 11pm. There were already a lot of people there, but no one was dancing yet. Then at midnight, the DJ hopped up onto the bar and shouted, 'Who's ready to get this party start?!' Everyone cheered, the music began, the lights went down, and people flooded onto the dance floor. The bar and tables were cleared of drinks, and people jumped up onto the tables and began to dance. The music didnt stop for 5 strait hours. I made the mistake of wearing my new red italian high heels. By the end of the night, I had could barely stand up my feet hurt so much. Italians really know how to have a good time!

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Thursday, December 14, 2006

Santa Lucia
Yesterday was the holiday of Santa Lucia, the patron saint of children. The story of Santa Lucia goes like this. When Lucia was alive, she was tourtured because she wouldnt give up her faith. She was blinded with hot ashes and eventually killed. Then, because of her undying devotion to God, she was made a saint. Now every December 13, she brings presents to the children of Italia. On the night of the 12th, all of the children have to go to bed really early. During the night, Santa Lucia rides into the town on her donkey with lots of sweets and goodies. When she enters your house, the bells on her dress jingle. But it is said that if you open your eyes to see her, she will blind you with hot ash(kind of a scary thing to tell little kids.) Anyway, she leaves a trail of chocolates from your room to your presents. If you have been bad, she leaves only ash.
They also have a Santa Clause in Italy (aka Babbo Natale), but he is just a jolly old fat man who brings christmas joy.