Around the World : Cliff Jumping!

Good evening everyone,
           I had an amazing day yesterday! I woke up very late (for me) at 10:30 and I had a quiet breakfast by myself out in the courtyard. It was very peaceful. I decided to do some of my homework for Monday. The homework was a grammar packet and a small writing exercise. It was very simple. Then my friends and I went on a walk around town, and bought some fresh bread for lunch and I got an espresso in ghiaccio con medorla da sporta (espresso in ice with almond to go). Before we went on the boat down the heel of Italy, I made a delicious salad with fresh bread, balsamic, tomatoes and peaches. I love buying fresh fruits and vegetables from the market and making my own lunch everyday.
       I quickly changed into my bathing suit, grabbed my towel and sunscreen and we all left to go on the mini boating trip. The bus ride was over an hour and during that time I took a nap and used the internet on my phone to talk to some friends from home. I told them all about the fun activities I did on the trip so far and sent some pictures that I took on my phone. Whatsapp (app on the iPhone) is a great way for me to communicate with my family and friends. I feel like they are constantly with me. I especially like the feature of recording a message to send, that way I can hear my mom's beautiful voice everyday saying (Ciao bella and Ti amo).
      We finally arrived to a gorgeous town called Santa Maria di Leuca on the tip of the heel of Italy. The houses were all white and the port contained many fishing boats and yachts. Nella told us we had 30 minutes to explore the area around the port so my friends and I decided to climb many stairs to see the ocean from above. We climbed up over 100 stairs and reached the top. What we ended up climbing next to was an aqueduct. An aqueduct was used in Roman times to get water from distant sources into their cities and town. Once a year the town opens the aqueduct to release the water down the harbor. We stopped many times along the way to take pictures of one another posing by ourselves and with each other. I learned how to ask to take a picture in Italian so we could get a group picture (poi fare un foot di noi). I also got asked to take a pictures of two handsome Italian men. I think they needed an excuse to talk to me. I took the picture of the men and then walked down the staircase to meet up with the group to go on the boat.
      We got on a small boat (about 40 passengers or less) and went off into the sea of the Ionio. We passed many jet skis, yachts and other smaller boats enjoying the sea before dinner time. The view and scenery was absolutely amazing. Sometimes I feel sick on small boats with waves, but because the scenery was so beautiful, I was able to focus on the view and not feel sick. The grottos and cliffs at the edge of the harbor were breathtaking. Unfortunately, my camera died during the boat ride but I took many pictures on my phone as well.
        I was so excited to go swimming in the sea when the boat stopped. I quickly took off my cover up and jumped into the water and swam toward the cliff face. I proceeded to swim through the cliff, until I was able to stand in a cave like structure in the water. The water was very salty, but not as salty as the Dead Sea (nothing is as salty). After exploring the grottos and pretending to be little Mermaid and lay on the rocks with my friends, some of us decided to swim toward the open area to find a cliff to climb and jump off of. One of the guys in the group who is also an experienced climber, found a cliff that was safe and easy to climb. The rocks were very sharp, but I climbed up the cliff and jumped off the cliff (20-30 feet) into the water. It was such an adrenaline rush. The climb did not hurt my feet at all because of all the calluses (thank you tennis). I would have jumped the cliff again but the teachers told us it was time to go. I swam back to the boat, dried off and put back on my cover before getting off the boat. The captain also gave us complementary rosemary cookies and white wine before existing the boat (typical Italian hospitality) I wish I could have taken pictures while in the water, under the cliff face, and of me jumping but the beautiful scenery will just have to stay in my memory.
       Before we left the south, we stopped at a bar to change, use the restrooms and get some refreshments. One of our teachers (Francesca) was singing outside and she had an amazing voice. I enjoyed the music while drinking my iced almond espresso. This day could not get any better.
       Unfortunately we had to leave the beautiful town of Santa Maria di Leuca. I took an amazing nap on the way home in air condition (nice and cool) and when we arrived back to our apartments I skyped my family in Utah. I got to see the newly bride and groom, as well as my mom, dad, brother, and aunt. I am so happy that the wedding went well and that they all had a great time.
       After a long day, I still had to make dinner for myself. I made a quick dinner and then finished the rest of my homework before going to bed. One of my homework assignments was to write about anything so I decided to write about my visit in Florence to give tips to my classmates about where to visit when they go to Florence. I can't wait to go back to Florence again and see new sites as well as old ones like the Ponte Vecchio.
       I had such an incredible day in the South of Italy and I am looking forward to class tomorrow as well as my siesta from 1-5. We also are having dinner with one of the program leaders (Ellen). She is buying us pizza. (yum) and hopefully if it is cool out before dinner, I can workout with some of my friends. I hope everyone had a great weekend!
con tanto amore,
Samantha