Week 2!

I have now been in Sorrento for two weeks, and my time here has only gotten better. Here is a basic week recap:

• I booked a trip to Ibiza and Barcelona with some friends I've met at Sant'Anna

• I went on a beach sunset swim, Sorrento has the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen

• I have been going to Tiramisu, a local bakery, most mornings and getting the most delicious chocolate croissants

• I've been cooking dishes in the kitchen- Cate and I have made pesto pasta with chicken, prosciutto sandwiches, and avocado salads

• I HAD THE BEST CARBONARA PASTA AT MAMA CHE PASTA!!!!

  • this is my favorite kind of pasta dish, and at the restaurant you pick your own homemade noodles and the sauce and toppings you want on your dish Friday July 12 I went to Ieranto Bay for my Marine Biology class

• It was about a 40 minute bus ride from Sorrento

• The bus dropped us off in Nerano, and from there it is mandatory to hike to the bay

• The hike there was not bad because it was mostly downhill, and the views from the mountain were incredible

• We went on a kayaking tour and were able to go into a cave and learn about marine conservation and how no boats with motors are allowed in the area

• We went snorkeling and I held a starfish, sea urchin, and sea cucumber

  • I saw many tropical fish, sponges, and different types of algae

  • I also swam into an underwater cave

• We had free time where we were able to explore the bay and jump from a platform into the crystal clear water (so deep!)

• We listened to presentations on the Bay and learned the importance of protecting the beautiful nature site

• The hike back was difficult because I was so tired from the activities in the day, but I made it back and I plan to visit Ieranto again
  

Saturday, July 13th I went to a Turtle Rescue Center, Herculaneum, and Reggia di Portici for my UF in Sorrento class

• At the turtle rescue center we learned about loggerheads and their migration patterns as well as how they are horribly injured by boats in this area

  • The turtles in this center were being rehabilitated or taken care of from their injuries ranging from cut shells to loss of fins

• Next we made our way to Herculaneum where our guide gave us a tour of the city that has been excavated after being covered in pyroclastic flow

  • We saw roman ruins, including houses, public toilets, gardens, bakeries, and even wine stores

  • There was beautiful mosaics, and the wealthier romans had marble and lapis lazuli decor

  • we saw preserved jewelry, perfume bottles, and other goods

• We got lunch at a local restaurant and I got fried pizza for the first time and it was amazing

• At Reggia di Portici we saw beautiful preserved paintings on the walls and roofs of the mansion

  • The sculptures, art, and preserved artifacts were some of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my life

• We did a garden tour and learned about the lush greenery in the garden

Personal Growth:

• I've been working on my basic italian and bettering my spanish so I can be more immersed in the culture here

• I have been trying foods that I usually don't like, such as Sorrento tomatoes, olives and it was my first time trying buffalo mozzarella

• I have been trying to branch out from just my UF classmates so I can build relationships with more of the students at Sant'Anna

• Keeping track of school work and balancing experiencing my surroundings

• I've been working on my time management, and trying to be outside and fully immerse myself in Sorrento

Week 2, you've been amazing. I can't wait to see what this next week will bring!