Visit to Italy

Twenty-six Year 6 students from Sir Anthony Marno Primary School 'B' of Birkirkara recently spent seven days in Piedimulera, Italy. The hostel we were staying at was surrounded by forests, rivers and waterfalls.

The places we visited were of a natural, historical and geographical interest, including a Safari park where we saw many wild animals, had fun on a roller coaster, a gigantic slide and a merry-go-round.

We also visited Isola Bella at Lago Maggiore and Borromeo Palace where we saw many rich paintings, crystal chandeliers and beautiful tapestries.

Two days later we went to Domodossola and visited the medieval Palazzo Silva.

In Macugnaga near Monte Rosa, we toured a small chapel surrounded by a cemetery where many alpine guides are buried.

Another memorable outing was a day to Turin where we visited the Museo Egizio and saw many tombs and mummies of Pharaonic times. We caught the train to go to Val Vigezzo, and at Drougno we even baked bread.

Every place we went to is of geographical interest. We saw rivers, mountains, waterfalls and lakes, but the most interesting day was spent in Monte Rosa where we went on a cable chair to see the glacier there.

For many of us this was our first journey abroad and away from our parents. It has done us a world of good because, even though we sometimes felt homesick, it has helped us mature more and be more independent.

We learnt to communicate in a foreign language and made many new Italian friends. We learnt to deal in a foreign currency and discovered the palette of foreign food.

But, most of all, the trip has opened wide our windows of curiosity and, in the future, I would like to learn many languages and travel around the world.

It was an experience of a lifetime.

I would like to thank the Youth Service Organisation and our school head Ms Mary Anne Zammit for making this trip to Italy possible; and Mrs Carmen Azzopardi and Mr Louis Scerri, assistant heads; and teacher Mrs Antoinette Cassar for looking after us.