SIAMO ARRIVATI!……WE HAVE ARRIVED!

Orientation day-our Italian adventure begins. Everyone gathered early for breakfast in the dining room of our "home away from home", the Clio hotel. We make a "Baker's Dozen" now that Martha, RC, Philip and Shirley have arrived. Phyllis got us off to a prompt start leading the day with introductions. She is our extraordinary leader.

Philip is here taking a traveling graduation present in volunteering, while helping his parents with college separation anxiety. Multiple-talented Jake is another recent high school graduate, traveling with his aunt, uncle and soccer ball, creating memories to last a lifetime. EK is our ‘Southern Belle’ from Mississippi. She's traveling all over Italy with her daughter, who has been living in New Zealand for the past 4 years. Shirley is an elementary teacher from a small town in the very southern and rural part of Illinois traveling with Martha, her Global Volunteer teammate from Crete. Martha is proud to be travelling with her son, R.C., and Philip.

Melanie is an intrepid traveller who tries to fit in volunteer traveling and Eco-vacations each year with her husband Jeff. Jeff is a seasoned Global Volunteer with heartwarming stories about his work with orphans. Larae is a lawyer with passion and commitment to make the world a better place. She lives in NYC and is working on a career change. Valerie, from Minnesota, is traveling with her niece, Michelle. She has extensive international knowledge, gathered in part from a career working with immigrants. We are also wishing a Happy Birthday to her while we are in Italy. Michelle is a massage therapist, living on an island off the coast of Washington and running her own company.

Teaching teams were assigned. Everyone contributed to a list of characteristics we will strive toward during our two weeks in Monopoli. We are 13 unique volunteers, bringing our individual experiences together, while working to achieve our group's goals. We want to teach with respect, create an atmosphere conducive to cultural exchange and participate in a positive effort -- united in the hope that we are making the world a better place through our joined efforts.

- Shirley