Orientation in New York City

The 21st of August was the day I left my italian life to begin my American dream. I had to wake up at 3 AM to say goodbye to my mother and to go to the airport with my father. I had to be there at 5 AM to catch the flight at 8:10 in the morning. There, I met two girls who got on my same plane: destination, New York City! After 13 hours, a connection flight in London and some waiting at the Newark Airport we finally arrived at the hotel. We stayed at the "Double Tree by Hilton" in Newark, New Jersey. When I arrived at the hotel I met some italian friends that I already met in Italy and I stayed with them all of the three days because we wanted to stay as much as possible with each other before saying goodbye. The first day was almost over and we were super tired but that didn't stop us, indeed we hang out at the hotel pool and in the hall. Then we went to a room and we stayed up long time telling each other some news and joking together. 

The second day we got split into small groups and we did some activities to get to know each other and they told us some more information about this experience, such as rules and things to know for our stay. Then we wento to NYC and we visited a lot of places, like Times Square, the 9/11 memorial and a little bit of Central Park. Then, it was time for a boat party! We had dinner on the boat that took us around, we saw New York and we had fun with the music. When we got back at the hotel, as the night before, we hung out in the hall and we chatted in the hotel room.

The day after, the third one, CIEE provided for us breakfast at Planet Hollywood, near times square. After that we had another tour of the city, we visited Central Park and then we had a couple of free hours in a mall, where we had dinner with a card that CIEE gave us. The time was coming, the last night arrived and the next morning we were going to leave New York. The days passed by so fast, I had a lot of fun and the city was amazing. Everything was perfect and I was sad to leave my friends but on the other hand I was super excited to meet my new family. I was that excited that I couldn't sleep so I spent a lot of time talking to my friends, who felt the same way as me. 

It was then the 24th, it was 6 in the morning and the alarm went off. I got up and my chest was full of different emotions. I went to the airport and I felt like crying; I didn't, I was too excited to cry. When I arrived at my final destination and I met the family my heart dropped; they were so nice, they were holding a poster welcoming me. Driving me home they did a little tour of the city, showing me a couple of things. When I got home they showed me around and they gave me some time in my bedroom to unpack. I was tired though, that much that when I took out of my bag the photos of my friends I started crying. The family was too nice and I felt like I didn't deserve that. But everything turned out well, I slept for fourteen hours and the day after I was feeling great. I was ready to begin this adventure and now, after 20 days here, I can already say that this experience is the best thing that could have ever happened to me!