Time flies by too fast when you are happy. I didn’t notice I already spent one month in Sardinia. At this point, I am already familiar with the streets, what bus to take and where to go. I made friends with the friends of my friends. I shopped in the market and cooked more in the apartment. The 150 basic Italian phrases in Youtube I can understand and use already (I mean almost). One time, we were invited by Vale to spend the weekend in her village; she said she only likes the wine of her grandfather so I was curious enough to try. The grandfather speaks only Italian; he was pouring the wine in my glass while saying something. I only understood “Basta” meaning stop/enough so I responded “Si” meaning Yes. In chorus, everyone in the table said “NO!” the grandfather actually meant he will stop only when glass is full. Gosh! I almost had drunk myself there. It was a funny moment. I felt I was one with the family.
In the organization of course, I also felt I was home, working in an NGO means extending work time or doing visibility activities in the some weekends. I think it’s a humbling kind of work, going beyond what is asked of you for others. Although there are differences with how NGO works here, I am happy where I am. To see the difference and take the best practices is one of the goals why I am here in the first place. In one meeting for Europe Day preparation, we were given a slot to speak with the participants. Before we ended our presentation I told them “You are very lucky to be living in Europe, you have European Commission that funds your project. To where I came from, we even have to raise our own funds to organize activities for the youth. Therefore, I encourage you to participate to all the opportunities that are found here, especially activities organized and made for the youth. We are the future that our grandparents have dreamed of; and we, in return, can shape the future ahead.”
Another Filipina in the name of Tara arrived and was with me in the apartment for 21 days. It feels good that another member was added to the team even just for a short while. Four Asians running once in a while in the streets of Cagliari to catch the bus! A companion I can agree and disagree with, the one I can cook Adobo with (we won in the International Cooking Competition), a friend I met here but I will see when I come back in Philippines. A mermaid who plays Frisbee. Strange! 🙂
The last two weekends I have traveled back to historical times. In Carbonia (one hour drive from Cagliari), we visited a coal mining museum, went inside bomb shelter that survived World War II, and we ascended to an amazing stairs of Bell Tower.
In Escolca, we saw a vineyard, olive fields, flower fields, herd of sheep, and the ancient process of extracting wines and olive oils. We were given as well the chance to shape our own pasta in one of the bread and pasta exhibition. So fun!
In Monumenti Aperti (Open Monuments) in Cagliari, we went up in the Elephant Tower, I was scared going up and down the steep, narrow and slippery wooden stairs but dealing with the fear rewarded me with a breath taking view of the city. I never wanted to leave. We also visited the Botanical Garden, Roman Amphi Theater, Churches of Saint Micheal, Saint Restituta and Sant’ Efisio. Monumenti Aperti happens only once a year where the historical sites are open and is FREE. Students from different schools serve as tour guides, they are just too adorable you wouldn’t know if you needed to concentrate on the site or just get amazed at how they explain the history.
Okay I am talking a lot again. So what else is left for me? Maybe two more months of LEARNING, DISCOVERING and spending time with the most AWESOME PEOPLE! No, not a maybe. I am certain of that. By the way, I tried to party once and went home at 6am. You don’t wanna know what happened. But don’t think too hard, we were never drunk . 😉