Ciao and Hello!
I have 3 days left with the Materossi family. I have really enjoyed the family vacation! Sailing on the sea was wonderful! I was not seasick at all. The only sickness I experienced was due to food poisoning from a resturant. I was miserable for 2 solid days, one never appreciates good health as much when sick. For half the time we docked in a marina next to many boats and slept, for the other half we anchored in a bay and slept under the stars. I came to appreciate the bay over the marina because in the bay you can play your music loud and we did! We danced under the stars on the top deck. The stars appeared as a canopy wrapping above and around us. How amazing is it that I could see the big dipper and the Milky Way just like I can from my front yard in Cabot. The constant sound of the cicadas also brought me close to home.
The sea is much different than the ocean, I never realized the difference until now. The sea is much calmer. The sea here is crystal clear. Very beautiful. The beach on the island of Vis where we currently are staying, is not the typical beach you imagine in Florida or Hawaii. The beach is nice but not my favorite because of rocks instead of sand, and the pine trees out number the palm trees. I am very thankful however for this time to relax. Most of the people here speak very good English so it has been nice to use my native language! Croatia does not compare to Italy, I must say. The sights, food, sounds, and what not are very different. I prefer Italy!
I will see my mom very soon and conclude this summer with a tour of Florence, Rome, Pompeii, and Capri. I am very excited for this upcoming journey. I am very sad to leave Caterina however, she has become very close to my heart. I told her maybe next summer she can teach me Italian in Arkansas! Love, Nat