The document summarizes Carmen Garcia's experience on a school trip to Matera, Italy in 2014. Over the course of the trip, she visited several historical and cultural sites around Matera and Naples, including cave churches, archaeological museums, and a science museum. She enjoyed spending time with her Italian partner Adriana and her family, participating in activities like a treasure hunt and theater performance. Carmen was sad to say goodbye at the end of the enriching trip, during which she learned both academically and about Italian culture, and made friends with students from other countries.

1. MATERA 2014

2.  The
first day I was very nervous. I got up at 6
and I checked all the laggage. We went by car
from the highschool to the airport in Madrid.
 Then
we took a plane Madrid – Roma , after
this Roma – Bari , and there we met our Dutch
partners and their teacher Erik, it was nice to
see them again! Later, in Bari, we went by car
to Matera (Palace Hotel) and I met my Italian
partner Adriana and her family.

4.  After
this, we organised the teams for the
treasure hunt and we chose the winner for
the logo of the project that was… Italy!

5.  Later,
about 1, we had lunch in a great
restaurant and at 15:00 we were ready to
start the treasure hunt around Sassi. We
visited places like cave churches and Casa
Grotta.
 I also visited the cathedral of Matera with
my partner Adriana and her friends.

7.  On
Tuesday we went
by bus to the Ionian
coast, place where
Pythagoras lived.
Then we saw the
Museum of Metaponto,
that had a lot of
archeological
discoveries of this area.

9.  In
the afternoon we practised our sketches
in the highschool with the Romanian,
Italian and French partners.
 Finally
Adriana and me went home and I
had a special dinner that was made of
potatoes and sausages.

10.  On
Wednesday we went to Naples and,
although I got up very early, it was an
amazing day!
the morning we visited the “Città della
Scienza”at 9:00. This museum was about
the brain, its different parts and capacities,
it was very interesting.
 In

12.  After
the museum, we went to see a
performance called “Frankestein”, it was
very funny, and when the performance
finished we could ask the actors some
questions (final debate).

13.  At
14:00 we had lunch in a restaurant and
we ate a big pizza, it was delicious! Then
we had free time to buy some things.
 At
16:30 we walked around the centre of
Naples and beside the sea until 18:30, it
was really beautiful.

15.  On
Thrusday we visited the Space
Geodesy Centre. It was curious because
they showed us a huge telescope that
could receive signals from the satellite.

16.  At
lunch time we went to our restaurant
“Saperi and Sapori”. In the evening we
went to the highschool, it was the moment
to do the theatre play. I was very nervous
but in the end we did it very well!
 Then
at 19:00 we had a buffet with our
partners and their parents, who had
prepared fantastic dishes, specially the
desserts, they were really good!

17.  Finally
we had a great party, we danced a
lot and they played some Spanish songs, I
love this night! We all were very happy but
at the same time a bit sad because we
knew that the next day we’ll leave
Matera…

18.  In
the morning I packed and at 9:00 I went
with Adriana to the highschool. We had latin,
P.E. and religion. I liked P.E because I played
volleyball with the Italian people and our team
won the match!
 When
the lesson of religion finished it was 12
o’clock… time to hug, to say goodbye to our
partners and to Matera. The great experience
had finished and all os us were sad. We went
downstairs, saying goodbye for the last time.

19.  We
went to the airport of
Bari and before taking off,
we had lunch. When we
arrived to Rome, we had
1h and a half of free-time
so we went shopping.
 Then
we ate some
sandwiches in a restaurant
before taking the last
plane, Roma – Madrid.
Finally we arrived to Ávila
at 2 o’clock in the morning,
I was very tired.

20. I
think this travel was a great experience
because you could learn maths and art in an
original way, but also you can meet people
from other countries and know how is their
culture, how they are…
 I also realised that Italian people are very
similar to us, and they treated us with a lot of
friendliness.
 For
me it will be an unforgettable experience!
By: Carmen García