Around the World : Spiagga giornata a Lecce

Ciao tutti!
    Mi dispiace….that I have not posted in 2 days. I have been going to bed later and having very long days. But today I have the whole day free because it is Saturday.
    On Thursday I woke up early to get a cappuccino before my placement test. The cappuccino place is a block from where we are staying so it was very convenient. It is also nice to practice my italian buy ordering my drink. (un cappuccino das sporto=to go) I then took the placement test and oral conversation test. It went better than I expected. I remembered most conjugations of verbs and I was able to have a conversation with a professoressa and knew what she was talking about. After the test I went to the market to buy more food. I stopped at a couple fruit and vegetable stands to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. I bought peaches, celery, apples and eggplant from this one man at the market. The man was very helpful and followed me all around the market with a bag to put the items I wanted to buy! (Aunt Dianne you were right). Then I went to the big grocery market to buy other supplies like tuna fish, salad greens, toothpaste and yogurt. On my way home from the market we stopped at the panetteria and I bought 2 rolls for only 0.45 euros. The bread is so cheap. When I finally walked back to Oxford (the place I am staying at) I made lunch for my friend and I. We made a fresh salad with tuna, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and balsamic. It was so fresh and delicious. I changed into my swim suit after lunch and the group was off to the beach. The water was so warm, and the beach was beautiful. There was black sand, and a mini bar to get drinks. I lounged out by the sand with a sangria in my hand enjoying the view. Unfortunately a girl in my group got stung by a jellyfish, but after seeing a medic and getting a cortisone shot she was okay. We were not allowed to go into the water after that. But because it was very hot outside, the jellyfish are more active and tend to sting more people. Hopefully the next time we go to the beach, nothing like that will happen
    We got back from the beach at 18:30 and I decided it was the perfect time to workout. I lead an exercise class that my mom sent me from Old school fitness and 6 people in my group joined me. The workout was a success and I felt great afterwards. Sometimes when I am feeling down or homesick, working out makes me feel 10 times better. It is good to know what things can make you instantly happy. I quickly showered because I was dripping from the heat and made dinner for myself. A couple people in my group were making a group pasta dinner but my friend and I decided to make our own individual meals because we had fresh food in the fridge. I cut up fruit with greek yogurt and had half of one of my rolls with greek yogurt and tomatoes. It was delicious. I have not had one bad meal in this country!
    After dinner, the group decided to head to town for the wine festival in the piazza. It was 10 euros for 10 tastings of wine from the booths. I bought a ticket and I was ready to taste. The ticket also came with a bag with a wine glass (free souvenirs). My two roommates and I explored the different booths in the piazza and tasted many different wines. I tried mostly red wines and really enjoyed the wine called priante. We had a very long night and I did not get home till 2 in the morning and did not fall asleep till 3. But I had a lot of fun and met some Italians. Everyday I find myself enjoying Lecce even more and appreciate the opportunity to go abroad. I am going to log off for now and write Friday in a separate post.
Con tanto amore,
Samantha