Cinematic Experience 

September marked a milestone: I went to the cinema for the first time in Italy! I was excited but nervous because, of course, the movie was in Italian. I’ve been learning the language, but let’s be real, it was a challenge! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I understood, though. Luckily, I had a friend with me who translated some parts, and honestly, it turned out to be a lot of fun. Plus, the cinemas here are huge! One thing that totally caught me off guard! , but hey, it was a nice chance to grab more popcorn!

One of the best parts of this month? My trip to Sicily! After reuniting with some of my fellow volunteers, we decided to head down south and explore the island together. Our first stop was Catania, and oh my gosh, it was incredible. The weather was perfect, the food was to die for, and the city had this amazing mix of old-world charm and modern vibes. It felt surreal to be exploring such a beautiful place with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. We laughed, caught up, and made even more memories.

Then came Etna, and let me just say… hiking is not my thing. It was freezing at the top, and I struggled a bit, but the views? Absolutely worth it. Standing there, looking over the landscape, made me forget all about the cold (and my lack of hiking skills). I’ll never forget the moment I realized how far I’d come (literally and figuratively).

After Etna, we headed to Taormina for some beach time. It was gorgeous the water was so refreshing, and I was ready to relax… until, of course, I had a little run-in with a jellyfish. Yep, I now have a Taormina “souvenir” in the form of a sting. But honestly? It’s just one more memory to add to the rollercoaster that is this month. Bruises and all, it was a fantastic trip.

And to top it off, we made our way to Palermo, where I reunited with more volunteer friends. Palermo blew me away. It’s such a lively city, and something about it reminded me of Spain. We spent the day exploring, swimming, and even climbing cliffs (which was terrifying but fun). Just as we were about to leave, the rain came pouring down, and we had to run to catch our bus. Stressful? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely.

 Hello Fall and Colds

After the fun in Sicily, I headed back to Milano, only to get hit with a cold. Perfect timing, right? The weather was changing.

One of the highlights of the month was getting involved in my first official event with Avis Lombardia as a speaker! The event was in Castello di Somma Lombardo, and I had the chance to help organize and speak in front of an audiance. Let me tell you, my nerves were through the roof. Public speaking has never been my strong suit, but somehow, I managed to push through. The event was beautiful, and being a part of it made me feel more connected to the community here. Plus, I think I’m getting the hang of organizing these events, I might even enjoy it!

So, yeah… September was a whirlwind, as getting more involved with the volunteer work was so rewarding. I’ve learned that change, while uncomfortable at times, can lead to amazing new experiences. And as the weather cools down, I’m excited to see what the next month will bring.