Verona & Venezia; An Unexpected Friendship, My First Magical Day in Verona & The Centro

This post is a complete diary entry... enjoy!
I wish to begin this chapter of my story by explaining that sometimes in life you just have to go with your gut. Follow what you feel is right and wonderful and yes, everything should be ok <3

Back in March I met two guys in a bar in Shoreditch whilst at my friends birthday party. I was tipsy and my friends and I all roped them in to dancing with the four of us. Nothing creepy... just young people being young and socialising etc. I decided to keep in contct for watever reason; I guess mysekf and the guys just got along well. They seemed like humble, friendly guys and they were also our age... so why not exchange instagrams? 
Both their names were Youness ans I ended up chatting lots with one of the Youness's. His family is from Morrocco but he grew up in Verona, northern Italy. 

One day I messaged him asking if I were to visit Verona would he be have the time to show me around his city with his friends, just for a day or so. Youness replied, 'of course!' Within a day he had messaged me again explaining that he had told his parents I was thinking of coming to visit the city and they had said they would be happy to host me for 'as long as I would like!' I of course thought how kinid and generous this family was, inviting me- a complete stranger into their home, I had to reply that, 'I would love to!'
Within a week I had booked my flights to bella Verona with Ryanair for £50.00 return in late June, ready to visit Youness and his bella famillia!

I was nervous on arrival, but I had come to know Youness' personality fairly well, although I guess you never really know what someone is like till you live with them haha! He came to get me from yhe airport (how kind) with the other Youness and his two sisters (Sofia was 6 and a TOTAL CUTIE <3). 

They had borrowed Youness' parents car and it was the same as my Dad's at the time, so it reminded me a lot of home. I recieved such a warm welcome and the guys were so relaxed, just like normal which put me at ease and made me feel much less nervous. We ran some quick and funny might I add, errands on the way home which were as amusing as Italy itself. Although it is a 'first world country' it drives a little less 'first world' than England! The scenery was charming, but I knew I hadn't seen anything yet. We were going into 'central' later on!

Once we reached the house, Youness' mother was awaiting my arrival and she was sososo excited! I was extremely nervous stepping out of the car and into the apartment but I honestly had no need. Never and I repeat never has a stranger ever greeted me with such kindness, warmth and genuine happiness to see me. I was almost confused! I've never met such friendly and loving people. I'm an excited bunny rabbit myself and didn't realise there were more people out there (especially other adults) that were like me! Even though we couldn't understand each other we were both speaking so much to one another! I said my hellos and gave my small presents to everyone. I also met Youness' shy 13 year old brother who gave me a quick wave and disappeared again, hehe. 

As I didn't have lots and lots of time we decided to go out and get some food and then head into the city centre. I waved ciao in 35 degree celcius heat, ( I had also got changed as oh my gosh it was boiling hot) and we left for the city.

At the shopping centre where we were getting some food, Youness and I sat whilst waiting for the other Youness. My Italiano was bad and his English was good (but he was shy to speak) and we were both still getting used to each others company so we filled the silence with a strange song about a pineapple pen. 

Looking back I had no idea what he was singing but turns out everyone in London knews this song as it has millions of views on YouTube haha! I must live under a rock!

Once Youness arrived we got some fast food, chatted, attempted to charge my camera battery and then headed to the bus stop where we realsied we still had 30 minutes till the bus. Trying to decide what to do, we met a Congolese Italian guy that had family in England and could therefore speak English well. He was funny and we all chatted away. While I nipped to the toilet, he decided to show off and play a song on the piano in the shopping centre. Bene, bene! Hahaha.

We got the bus and soon were half way to the city centre of Verona. At Verona's trainstation we met another guy Ismail, Youness and Youness' other friend who was to join us on our trip. He was also sooooo funny omg and none of us ended up paying for the bus- once again reminding me a little of home and my usual antics.

Once in the beautiful Centro of Verona finally the real touristy fun began. I remember feeling as though I had just stepped into a story book... Romeo and Juliet for that matter! Haha! It was truly incredible and also very very italian... whatever that means. I was with three 'strangers' wandering the street of northern Itlay questioning what I had done in life to be so lucky to have brought me into Youness' world. To be honest, I hadn't experienced it yet... his familia are what really stood out for me this whole trip.

We began at the Arena where, like many italian cities there was an old style round theatre like building made frim old brick work. It looked exactly like what you would see in a film about the Roam Empire. Beautiful of course! We didn't go indife becuase there was a lot to see and you probably had to pay quite a lot. I was on a budget and didn't expect the guys to want to pay to enter all these places either. Now knowing Youness better, I know if I had mentioned it, he would have gone in with me and probably offered to pay also! 

We continued wandering through the pretty italian streets, stopping regualarly for photos (of course) and looking inside shops until we came to the place that gives Verona its name, 'The City of Love'. Juliet's balcony from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. You begin by walking through a tunnel like structure that is covered with Love Letters to Juliet (just like in the movie 'Letters to Juliet'). It was very busy with other tourists but it didn't take away from the magic. I had to write something about love and stick it up on the wall so I turned to my one true love; 'Fall in love with travel, the world and nature' as you can't go wrong and this is of course so true. 

Once taking pictures got boring (a lucky one with Juliet's breast of course) we proceeded to one of the larger plaza like areas where there was a market going on. I bought a necklace and a bracelet for myself and got some tasty Gelato mmmmmm. 







We began journeying over the bridge and up this huge hill. Baring in mind it was literally almost 40 degrees celcius we were all sweating like crazy. 

Thank goodness I had changed when I arrived as the heat was practically unbearable and I had been wearing a long black cotton jumpsuit. There were fountains with drinking water dotted all over Verona and so once at the top of the hill we all splashed ourselves and had something to drink. I soaked my head as my thick hair often made me feel 10x hotter. 

The views at this place were amazing. I am still quite unsure where exactly we were but I am guessing at some kind of viewpoint. You could see the whole of Verona and it was just incredible. 

My first experience of Italy so far was one that even now I am struggling to pt into words, purely due to the people I was surrounded by, the weather and the beauty everywhere you looked. 

After seeing all the sights we slowly made our way back to the train station ready to eat some lasagne. I was so hungry as was everyone else. Later Youness had planned to take me to the 'Luna Park' which I had imagined to be some fesitval of some kind but turned out to be a popular fun fair for the locals. We made our way and was picked up by Kawta and Sofia Youness' older and younger sisters from the train station. 

Peace&Love,
Willow

Continue Reading..

I'm a Careers Coach for Future Frontiers!

I am a person that wants to help. I try my best everyday to do kind things and think kind thoughts. I believe that when living an honest and open lifestyle, the universe will always return you with positivity and good fortune. 

I had wanted to find a volunteering programme that specifically helped children in disadvantaged areas. I feel that every single child deserves a chance at having a decent future and lack of economic, material and cultural capital should not be the causation of a child not fulfilling their potential. We are born into a world that allows those with money to have a certain type of privilege that almost guarantees them a stable future yet so so many intelligent and bright children don't have the financial stability and therefore find themselves working three times as hard in order to hit the same goals.

I attended the volunteering fair at my University and found myself chatting to many great causes. One that stood out to me was the Future Frontiers stall. The founder of the charity was there and grabbing people as they walked past to have a chat. He explained all about the programme and asked me questions about what I was hoping to get out of my volunteering experience. I put my details down for more information and within a week I was having a follow up call and then phone interview to become a coach.

Yesterday morning I had my first of 10 sessions with my chosen school, Lilian Baylis Technology School in Kennington, London. I was advised that the school has 80% of their pupils on free school meals and it stands as one of the most disadvantaged schools in London. After a hectic morning of waiting in supermarkets whilst attempting to buy a sandwich (practically 3 times) I made it in and met my 4 pupils that I would be coaching on their prospect career paths. 

They were all very lovely and eager to be involved as since they were in Year11 they felt they needed to think about their prospects once they finish school. It can often seem daunting but taking the initiative to do some research and follow your interests makes life that much easier in the long run.

My role as a Careers Coach is to guide the pupils through conversations about their interests and possible career prospects. It sounds simple but is actually much trickier than perceived, considering I still don't 100% know what direction I'm heading in career wise. As it was the first session it was rather light and we had to talk about how thy perceived themselves as human beings, whether it was caring, cautious, aggressive or motivated. By allowing the pupils time to talk about how they saw themselves we were then able to facilitate a conversation that then lead them to consciously thinking about the type of careers that would suit them for their best qualities. 

As the weeks go on we set targets and create pathways to slowly enable the pupils to work towards these sometimes seemingly impossible career goals. We help them make connections within their desired industry by setting up Skype calls with a professional currently working in their desired sector and allow the pupils to be left then to their own devises, hopefully feeling inspired and full of confidence that they can achieve high if they really push themselves.

I really enjoyed the session yesterday and none of the children were naughty or bad as teachers often enjoy calling them. It was a relaxed atmosphere and I am looking forward to the journey ahead.

If you are interested in becoming a careers coach visit: https://www.futurefrontiers.org.uk/coaches to find out more.

Peace&Love,
Willow

Continue Reading..