The Best Last Weekend
Part of the beauty of this study abroad program is that the first three weekends are spent with the other students and the last weekend is up to your family. Each host family does something different with their students. Some families stay in Modena, some go to the beach, but mine chose to have a weekend away in the mountains. This is one of the most unique weekends of my entire life simply because it can never be recreated. My host family, teacher’s family, and another student’s host family all went to Asiago, Italy. We all stayed the weekend in their friend’s childhood home which was built during the First World War. The city of Asiago is known for being a battleground between the Austrians and Italians during World War One. It is also known for its delicious Asiago cheese!
After a three hour drive with the Di Mola family up the side of a steep mountain we made it to our first stop, Baita Laghetto. Here we had a lunch while enjoying the fresh air. Afterwards, we all took part in a ropes course which ended by zip lining over the lake. We ended our time here with an epic volleyball match. This was such a gorgeous day to spend time in the mountains!
After our relaxing afternoon we got settled into the house. They started up a fire and began cooking dinner for everyone. Dinner consisted of fresh meat, polenta, bread, wine, and of course asiago cheese! The families all ate, told stories, and played games. After dinner we fired up the karaoke machine. All of us had our time to shine as we stayed up late into the night singing our favorite songs. This was a moment I will never forget.
The next morning Peyton and I took all of the kids to the park to play while the parents prepared the lunches for our hike. Then we set off to hike the Forte di Campolongo trail.
Fort Campolongo was located well at the end of our hike high up in the mountains. This is where the Italian forces resided during World War One. Although the fort was heavily damaged during the war it has been preserved so that hikers can walk through and see it.
Gallery From the Weekend
I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with these four families. I will forever be shaped by this one of a kind experience with them.
Grazie!