VIOLA'S DIARY

Monday 19 October 2009 we arrived in Sosnowiec in the afternoon. Waiting for us there were all Polish guys and their parents.
Everyone went in their host family, I was hosted by Kasia.
Kasia's family is made up of mother, father and younger
brother. She has a very beautiful dog. Kasia’s house is very beautiful and is located outside the city of Sosnowiec.
Tuesday 20th October in the morning we went to their school E. Plater and after we went to visit the salt mine in Wieliczka by bus.
In the afternoon we went to visit Crakow. This is a beautiful city. In this city we visited St. Mary’s Basilica, the Royal Castle and the Wawel Cathedral. The Royal Castle and the Wawel Cathedral are situated on the hill. Polish guys told us the story of the dragon of Wawel. We saw the river Vistula in Cracow.
In the evening after dinner, Kasia invited Monika (her best friend) and Diletta at her home because they had to prepare a presentation for the next day.

Wednesday 21th October we spent all day at school. The Polish guys prepared a presentations of Poland, the history and on the Polish writer Kapuściński.
In the afternoon there was the presentation of the talents, where every student could show his/her talent. A girl sang the Italian song "Con te partirò” and we all sang together.
The evening at about 5 pm the Polish students had organized a dinner together at the pub “Salem”.

Thursday 22th October we went to school and we saw the movie "The Pianist" in Italian.
In the afternoon we went to visit the death camp of Auschwitz, we visited the various blocks, one of which is still the same. After visiting the death camp of Auschwitz, we went to see the other death camp of Birkenau. The death camp of Birkenau is much larger than that of Auschwitz.

Friday 23th October we went in the municipal gym, because the school gym was too small, for the day dedicated to sport. We played football, basketball and volleyball. After spending the day in the gym we went home.
In the evening at about 6 pm Kasia, Monika, Diletta, Piotrek, Andrea and I went to see a game of ice hockey. In this game the team of Sosnowiec won. After the game we went home.

Saturday 24th October in the morning we slept because the Polish guys do not go to school on Saturday.
In the afternoon I, Kasia, Diletta, Monika and Patricia (Monika’s friend) went to the mall in Katowice. In this mall there are about 200 shops of restaurants, cafés, perfumeries, jeweller’s and shops that sell clothes, shoes and accessories. In this mall we met the other Polish and Italians guys. We spent all afternoon in Katowice.
In the evening we went to the pub “Salem” with the other Polish and Italians guys.

Sunday 24th October I, Kasia, Diletta, Monika, Kalina, Sara, Kasia and Clarissa went to Cracow by train. We were two hours on the train because they are very slow. We visited the center of Cracow and some places that we didn’t go to visit on Tuesday. We spent all day in Cracow and we went home at 8 pm.

Monday 25th October in the morning we went to visit the silver mine. In this mine there was a small “river” that we crossed in a small boat. Compared to the salt mine, the silver mine had a very narrow passage. In the afternoon we went to the very big water park. In this water park were: different swimming pools, water slides and a whirlpool.
In the evening we went to the pub “Salem” with the other Polish and Italians guys.

Tuesday 27th October we went to a mountain resort by cableway. We walked for a while and then we went to a refuge and some people started playing snowballs. After that we came back down and then we went to another cottage by horses carriages. Into this cottage everyone had to grill their own sausage on a fire. In the evening we went to the pub “Salem” with the other Polish and Italians guys.

Wednesday 28th October: LAST DAY.
In the morning after closing the suitcase and saying goodbye to Kasia’s family, she and her parents took me to school. We went to school to do a test on how we had spent that week. After finishing the test and after we said goodbye we left to go home.
Kasia’s family welcomed me really well and I enjoyed it very much. This experience helped me to meet new people and get used to their habits, but above all to speak better English!!!

MY POLISH EXPERIENCE by DILETTA

HI… I’M DILETTA GIACOMELLI, I LIVE IN S.PIETRO BELVEDERE A SMALL VILLAGE NEAR PONTEDERA.
THIS IS MY DIARY…

With the Comenius bilateral Project last October the 17th some students of my classroom and school and I went to Wien.
First we arrived to Graz where we stopped only two hours to visit some monuments and architectural landmarks and then we had some shopping all together.
At 7.30 p.m. we arrived in Wien where we had dinner at the Bierhof Restaurant and spent the night at the Hotel Tabor near the centre of the town.
On Sunday the 18th we went to visit the wonderful town of Wien with its shops and monuments.
We visited Sissi’s castle; it’s really big and wonderful.


On Monday the 19th we left from Wien, then we had lunch in the Czech Republic and in the afternoon we arrived at the school in Sosnowiec where we met our Polish friends that we had already met in May 2009 in Italy. Later we went with our cases in our own Polish families where we met their parents. There we had dinner and after that we went to the pub with the others guys until 11 p.m.

On Tuesday the 20th we woke up and went to visit their school at Sosnowiec and then we visited a salt mine in Wieliczka; after that we saw Cracow, where the Polish guys took us around to see the most important monuments. As soon as we got home we went together to the pub.

On Wednesday the 21st we spent all day at school where the Polish students explained some topics about their history and about the writer Kapuscinski. In the afternoon we had a Talent show where the students could show what they were able to do best. At 3 p.m. we came back home, we had dinner and finally we went to the pub.
On Thursday the 22nd we saw the film “The Pianist” at school and did some other activities

After that we left for Auschwitz and Birchenau by bus. There we felt bad and sad feelings of those times and moments.

On Friday the 23rd we did sport activities like volleyball matches Italy against Poland to have the return match. In the evening we went to see a Hockey match on ice with some Italian and Polish students.

On Saturday the 24th In the morning we slept until 11 a.m. and after that we went in a great and wonderful commercial trade centre “Silesia” where we met each other . We had dinner at the pub where we remained until 11 p.m. to talk and drink together.

On Sunday the 25th I and some of the Italian guys went to Cracow by train around the town to buy some souvenirs. After we returned home to have a rest.

On Monday the 26th we went to visit a silver mine and then to a pool park full of slides and games.

On Tuesday the 27th we went to a little village in the mountains, there we went around by a horse coach and then we ate sausages cooked over the fire in a typical cottage. We spent the afternoon playing snowballs.

On Wednesday the 28th we left for Praha where we visited the town and the main shops. We had dinner at the Restaurant of the Hotel.
On Thursday the 29th we visited the centre of Praha, Karl’s bridge, and the old town.
On Friday the 30th we left from Praha and after a stop in Innsbruck we arrived in Pontedera at about one o’clock at night.
Before this trip I thought that I wouldn’t have had fun, but after that I wouldn’t have come home because I enjoyed it a lot.
The days in Poland have been amusing and useful to learn English. The Polish family was very hospitable and funny. I hope to see them again and to spend another holiday like that.
THIS TRIP WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE I KNEW A LOT OF NEW ITALIAN PEOPLE AND I COULD SEE THREE BEAUTIFUL CITIES, THE POLISH PEOPLE ARE REALLY WONDERFUL AND NICE…

MY POLISH DIARY - FRANCESCA

Monday 20th October
In this day we arrived to Poland at about 5 o’clock, after a long trip with the bus. We went to our Polish home and we had dinner with the family. I was very happy to meet Ola, my polish friend and I was very happy to meet her family and Lucky, her beautiful dog.
Tuesday 21st October
At about 7 o’clock, I and Ola we woke up for breakfast, after breakfast we went to school where we were welcomed…after that we went to Wieliczka where we visited a salt mine …The mine is very big and interesting. After this visit we went to Cracow, a beautiful old capital of Poland. In this city we saw a lot of churches, a castle, some shops and a beautiful square. After this visit we went home, we had dinner and then we went out with everybody else for going in a pub.
Wednesday 21st October
At 7 o’clock we woke up and we went to school where we were all the morning and part of the afternoon. In this time we saw a presentation about Poland, Polish history and the Polish writer Kapuscinski. After the school we had free time, and I and Ola(my Polish friend) with someone else we went in a big commercial center in Sosnowiec…In Poland there are a lot of beautiful and very big shopping centers with different types of shops. In Poland the made in Italy is in great demand, particularly for the clothing. After shopping we went at home and we had dinner at about 6 o’clock. In the evening we went out with everybody for going in a pub.
Thursday 22nd October
In this day we saw a film about the deportation: “the pianist” and in the evening we went to Auschwitz were we saw a small part of the German horrors. This experience was very interesting and moving and I hope that this horror won’t happen again.


Friday 23rd October
In the morning we went to the city gym where we played football, basketball and volley. We formed an Italian and a Polish team and we competed with each other. The match are was under the supervision of all the teachers. After the gym, we went to school, where we attended a talent show of the Polish boys and girls, they played the guitar, the piano, the violin and other instruments. They sang a lot of song, and they read some poems. They were good…After school we went home and after dinner we went out with everybody, for a drink…

Saturday 24th October
On Saturday in Poland the schools are closed and consequently boys and girls sleep a lot…When we woke up at about 12 o’clock, we had breakfast…after the breakfast we got ready and we went to a very big commercial center with the name Silesia…In this building there are a lot of shops of varied kinds for example shops of shoes, of clothing, of jewelers and other…In the evening we went out with everybody for a drink.

Sunday 25th October
In the morning we woke up at about 10 o ‘clock and I, Ola and her parents we went to the mountains, at the home of Ola’s uncles …they are very interesting people and the city is very fascinating. Also in this city there is a big commercial center and Ola, her cousin and me we went there. Also in this center there are a lot of shops with all things. In the evening we went to a birthday party of a friend of Ola and it was very funny.

Monday 26th October
In this day, Serena, Virginia and I with our Polish friends we went to a famous city of Poland where there is a famous black Madonna. We visited a big and beautiful church where the famous image of Our Lady is situated. We saw a particular, very interesting and suggestive celebration for Our Lady. After this visit we went home for lunch and after dinner we stayed at home for relaxing.

Tuesday 27th October
In this morning after breakfast we went to the mountains for an excursion, we went walking, we went to a mountain hut by a horse-drawn carriage and there we ate and warmed. When we finished eating we went home, we had dinner and we went out for a drink.
Wednesday 28th October
In the morning at about 9’o clock we left


My opinions
I think that this experience was very interesting, for a lot of reasons, for example for the English language, but also for the knowledge of other cultures and costumes. The visits that we did were very interesting.
The family where I stayed is really fantastic, friendly and attentive. Ola my Polish friends is a very good person.

OUR STAY IN POLAND 17th - 30th October 2009

14 Days
I would not know where to start ... These 14 days were beautiful and I saw many new things, I saw some new places that alone probably I would not have gone to see. From this beautiful vacation the first 2 days we were in Wien, a truly beautiful city, which has almost all the colorful buildings.

The day after our arrival we went to visit the famous castle of Princess Sisi. Before that we saw the primary residence in central Wien and later in the afternoon we went to the summer residence of the Princess ... The house inside was really beautiful and so was the large garden ...

The next day we left for Poland where we stopped for 10 days. I was hosted in the home of a boy and I must say that I felt very uncomfortable about this fact. But all in all for me it was a good experience. Every day we went to visit several places in Poland. The first place we saw was Krakow. We have taken photos, we visited the city.

The only experience that I gave me a lot of sadness was the concentration camp in Auschwitz. But before we went to visit this place so cruel we saw the Polish film "The Pianist". A visit that we can not forget. Too much sadness and cruelty to thousands of people of different types: Poles, Jews, Gypsies, but also Italians. And here is the famous door of death with the phrase "WORK MAKES FREE".

All were taken by guile in the sense that they lied to get them to work ... every day for 5 years workers were sent to the so-called work with the orchestra that played next to the kitchen and the same orchestra accompanied them in the evening.

The camp was surrounded by double wires. The places where the prisoners slept were divided into 24 blocks.

Then we saw the block 11 that was called the prison within the prison. This block was separate from others, but there was a wall that joined it with block number 10. Inside it people were treated badly. The ground floor was the place for torture, that they were in dark cells, the cells to stand. In place among numbers 10 and 11 there was another door that would close that horrible place, where the wall of death was built, a wall full of blood from all those shots.

In this picture you can also see the windows closed so that the other prisoners could not look at what was happening outside.
We also visited some of the blocks, where we saw the photos taken secretly, we saw the shoes, clothing, combs, toothbrushes, the suitcases and the most horrible thing (at least for me) real hair, a lot of hair that the Nazis used to make fabric. Unfortunately, these things could not be photographed, but the image of what we see is not lost, the story we have heard no one forgets. After this vision we went to the most cruel Aushvitz 2, where people were treated like animals ... Even after all those years, you can imagine the train coming loaded with people.


This part as I said before was more cruel because the places where the prisoners were sleeping were shacks made of wood with wood beds.

When all the prisoners were freed the 2 large gas chambers were destroyed and the only thing that we can now see are the remains.


But we also had our days of fun, also in the evenings ...

The nice thing was that the Polish girls were very well organized, that is always trying to make us go out and have fun. For instance Saturday we went to a huge shopping mall with 200 shops. The 10 days that I spent in Poland were beautiful and funny. I became very friendly with a Polish girl named Ania. When I left we exchanged e-mail to keep in touch.
And then finally we left for Prague. A beautiful city. The first day we walked a lot in the centre and we went to see the famous Astromical Clock.

We also saw other very famous things ....

In the end I can only say that these 14 days on one hand I liked a lot, I enjoyed the experience. I saw some new things, new places. I also learned a new tradition, that of Poland. But all in all I was also sad. In the end I could not wait to go home. I do not know what else I might add ....





Petkova Hristina

SARA'S POLISH DIARY

SATURDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2009

6 o'clock: we leave!

It is the 6 a.m! We leave for 2 weeks!
We will travel for two weeks and we will visit Wien, some cities of Poland (such as Sosnowiec, where we will be guests in the houses of the polish guys, Cracow etc.), and Prague.
I’m in the bus! We will have to arrive in Wiern around 7:30 pm.

It is 3 p.m . We are in Gratz, a city in the south east of Austria. We can stay here for 2 hours, and later we must go to Wien.
Gratz is a beautiful city. These are some photos:

It is 8 p.m . We are in Wien!
SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2009

Wien

Today, the whole day, we will visit Wien. In the morning we will visit the city and in the afternoon we will visit the castle of Sissi (the castle of Schönbrunn).

The city is very big and it is very beautiful! In the morning we have visited “ the cathedral of Saint Stephen” and the centre of the city.
In the afternoon we have visited Sissi's castle. The castle is very big and it is very beautiful.
We have also visited the inside of the castle and the garden.
These are some photos of Wien and the castle of Sissi:

MONDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2009

Poland, Sosnowiec!

It is 8 a.m. We leave from Vienna to Sosnowiec.

The trip lasts around 10 hours.

At 6 p.m. we pass the border of Poland and at around 7 p.m. we arrive in Sosnowiec.
We can’t wait to see the polish guys, that we had hosted in Italy, in May.

When our bus reached our destination, all the polish guys were waiting for us in front of their school.
We and the polish guys were very happy!
We took our bag, and we went at home with our polish friends.

TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2009

Wieliczka and Krakow

It is 6,30 a.m !
I'm waking up!
This is the first day in Kalina's home. Kalina is the Polish girl where I’m guest.

I wake up , I prepare myself and then I have breakfast with Kalina's family.
Then at 7,45 a.m. we go to school by car.

Today we will visit Wieliczka and Krakow.

Wieliczka is an hour from Sosnowiec.
We arrive at Wieliczka, we wait a few minutes and then we go into the salt mine.
Inside the salt mine a person is waiting for us. She will guide us into the mine.

We visit all the mine. It is very interesting.
After the visit of the mine we go to Krakow.

Krakow.
We are in Krakow. Krakow is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland.
This city is very beautiful!
In the morning we visit the city, the castle, the dragon and other beautiful things of Krakow.

After that we have some free time for us.
In this free time, we go around the city and we visit many shops and we buy some souvenirs.

When I come back at home, we have dinner.
At dinner I speak a lot with Kalina’s parents because they speak English.

It is 10 p.m.
The first day was really fun. I liked Krakow a lot.

Now I'm tired.
Goodnight!


WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2009

At school!

Today we are at school!
We visit the school.
The polish guys present the history of Poland. They present also the history of one of the greatest writers in Poland, Kapuscinski.

Then we present a video, that we made for the polish guys. This video presents the days that the polish guys spent in Italy, with us.

Today I have lunch at home.

Tonight we have a party!

I'm at home! I’m just back from the party! The party was great fun! I really enjoyed it!
The party was in a pub, “The Salem”.
We had dinner and then we danced and we enjoyed ourselves a lot.

I’m very happy to be here!

These first two days were wonderful!
See you tomorrow!
Goodnight!


THURSDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2009

Auschwitz

Today we will visit Auschwitz.

In the morning we see the film "The Pianist" and later we go to Auschwitz.

We are in Auschwitz, inside the camp.
The guide explains that Auschwitz is the first concentration camp that was built, and after we visit the other camp: Auschwitz-Birkenau.

We begin our visit in the camp.
In the camp we visited some blocks. In the blocks there are the remains of deportees: glasses, shoes, bags, hair.
We also visited the inside of the gas chamber. Inside of the gas chamber we have seen the crematorium.


Auschwitz-Birkenau.
We are in Auschwitz-Birkenau.
This camp is larger than the first camp. It is very big!
We can see a lot of blocks.
In this camp there is also the railroad.

We walk again.
This is unbelievable. This camp is very big! Farther we can see the gas chamber, that the Nazis have destroyed.

Today was not the usual visit. We have seen how millions of people have been killed.
It was very interesting to visit Auschwitz.




FRIDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2009

Sports and Talents!

Today is the day of talents!
In the morning we go to the gym.

We challenge the polish guys in some sports: football, basketball, volleyball.

I played football for girls! We won 4 to 0 !

In the other sports we lost.

After we went to school to see the talent show.
I think that in Poland there are many talents in singing.
The Polish guys sing very well.
In my opinion the best talent was Magda, a polish girl (where Virginia is guest). She sings very well!

At about 3 p.m. I'm going at home. I have lunch.

I want to say some things about Polish habits: in Poland it is different from Italy. Here we have lunch at 3 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. But for me it is not a problem. I have already got used to it!

After I had lunch, I talked with the parents of Kalina. They asked me some questions about Italy!

And tonight we will go in a pub with the other guys!


SATURDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2009

Katowice

Today we are free!

The polish guys have decided to take us to Katowice, in a big shop!

Kalina and I arrive in Katowice at 12 a.m. and here we meet Eriada, Ewelina, Monika, Diletta, Kasia and Viola.

We are in the store! It is very big!
We take the map of the store so we will not get lost!

Inside this mall, there are about 200 shops!
It's very beautiful here!
We visit many shops and also we do some shopping!

At 6 p.m. we meet again at the entrance and we go home!

I’m very tired!
These are about seven days that I walk never stop! But this is not a problem! I'm having so much fun!

Today I bought some presents for my parents and some things for me. For example, I bought a very beautiful pair of jeans!

At about 8 p.m. we are at home! We have dinner and then we go to the same pub, “The Salem”!
At about 11 p.m. we come back at home! I’m really tired! I take a shower and I go to sleep!

Tomorrow I will have to walk again!
Kalina has decided that I can visit Krakow again! I'm happy! I like Krakow a lot!

Goodnight!


SUNDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2009

Krakow

We are in Krakow! I’m with Kalina, Monica, Diletta, Kasia, Viola, Kasia and Clarissa.

We go around the city, we go shopping and we buy some presents for our friends.
We walk a lot.

About 6 p.m. we come back at home by train!

Tomorrow it will be a week that I’m in Poland.
I’m so happy.
Kalina's parents are very good and very kind. They ask me many questions about Italy and I am happy to say.
They ask me "What is your favorite singer?" or "What kind of music do you listen to?" or "What is the name of your football team?" And many other questions. I am happy to tell them about these things.

And I’m very happy to be a guest in Kalina’s family.


MONDAY; 26 OCTOBER 2009

Silver mine and Swimming pool

We are in the silver mine.

The guide speaks English. For me it is not very easy to understand, but I understand some things.
We enter into the mine of silver. Here it's cold!
The ceiling of the mine is very low and we wear helmets.
We walk inside the mine.
The guide explains the history of the mine.
We take a boat that carries us through the mine.

After visiting the silver mine (that I liked), we're going to the swimming pool!
The pool is wonderful. There are various types of pools.
We're having so much fun.
We spend two hours in the swimming pool and then we go home.
Today I had a lot of fun.


TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2009

Mountains

We are in the bus.
We are going to the mountains.

We get there. We take the cable car.
We go into a hut where we stay about an hour and we have lunch.
Then we take the cable car again and come back down.
We take the bus again and we go to another place.

When we arrive, some horses with carriages are waiting for us.
We take the carriage, that take us in a small house in the mountains.
Here it is very cold and there's snow.
We come into this small house.
Inside we can eat. We take the sausages and cook them on the fire.
After we eat them! the sausages are very good!

After eating, we go outside and play with the snow.
Then we take again the horses and go back to the bus.
We come back home.


Today was a very beautiful day.
Today was the last day in Poland. Tomorrow we are leaving for Prague.

I miss the Polish guys a lot.
I had a great time with them.
I think that there wasn’t a visit that I didn’t like! I liked all the visit.
For me the visit to Auschwitz was very interesting. I liked Krakow and other visits.

This week has gone very quickly.
The family was the best.
Before coming to Poland I was afraid that I'd been a guest in a family.
I don’t know why: different habits, different times, I thought I wouldn’t feel very well in a family.
But this isn’t true. I have been very well. Kalina's family has been very kind to me and I thank them for everything.
This was a very nice and interesting experience.
WEDNESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2009

Bye Poland!

Now it’s 10 a.m.

We say goodbye to our polish friends.
Some people cry. We will miss them a lot.
We get on the bus.

… we're leaving! Bye Poland!
we're going to Prague.

It is 6 p.m.: we are in Prague. We go to the hotel and then we go around the city.
Prague is very beautiful.

Tomorrow we will visit the main monuments of the city.


THURSDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2009

Prague
Today we visit Prague.
In the morning we visit the main monuments of Prague and in the afternoon we have free time.
In the afternoon I go around the city and buy the sweatshirt of Prague, and a present for my brother and my cousin.
Then I come back to the hotel!
Tomorrow we go back home!

FRIDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2009

We come back home!

It is 8 a.m.! We come back home.

We leave at 8 a.m. from Prague. I think that we will be in Pontedera after 15 hours!

At 5 p.m. we stop in Innsbruck, a small and beautiful city in Austria.
We visit the city and we get on the bus again.

It is 12,15 p.m. : we are in Pontedera!

This was a wonderful experience.
I will miss those wonderful days.
I did not think that I would have enjoyed it so much.

… and Monday we will be back at school!

Bye!

Sara Salvini