Liguria-Lombardy / Monaco
My experience in San Remo
The day before the trip kissing my lovely Dante :-*
My experience in San Remo
February 2013. I had decided some time for a time before. I wanted to make an intensive course in Italian language but I sent also my CV because I'm a teacher of Spanish with experience teaching foreign people and I speak several languages. One friend (Pedro) told me that San Remo was a quiet and nice city. I knew San Remo basically for its famous music festival but always before to decide one place to go, I like obtaining information to make sure if it's a good idea to go there... And in this case, for the first time, I chose the wrong place :/ I read that San Remo was a cultural, entertaining and relaxing town, but nothing could be further from the truth! I found a dead city but at the same time, really stressful (crazy drivers, many people walking through narrow streets, noise, dust...). In fact, I think San Remo is the unique city where I didn't buy any souvenir and I didn't take many photos xD.
I decided do a two-week course in Omnilingua Centro Linguistico e Culturale and also a training course for six months (stage) on labour administration at the school. But the conditions described in the emails were not met. The headmaster of the school (a German) wanted me to teach Spanish (in English) because their teacher of Spanish didn't know English and they needed someone to teach a student who didn't speak Italian neither Spanish. But this task was not remunerative! He told me that this labour was included in the same salary, but he didn't told me that before. The salary was less than 300€ and the rent paid by him. Moreover, I was working for them during two weeks without a contract. He gave one excuse after another, that's why I didn't continue there. I don't want become a slave, thanks.
The house where I lived was horrible... a very old flat, shared room, without Wi-fi, without microwave in a building being repared, with other two people in other rooms (in total we were 4 at home), a very small bathroom for 3 people, etc. So the conditions were so awful. The city was ugly and there was nothing interesting! Like the Third World.
I began the stage my first day at the school at the same time that the course. The school was also so old, the classrooms not well prepared and when you arrive they don't do a level test... I had a quite good level but like there no was people with my level, I stayed my first week with people from Sweden, Switzerland, etc. with an initial level!!! So I lost my first week. Though I was happy with my classmates and the teacher Daniela. She was a very good teacher and a lovely person.
At last, I stayed in San Remo during 3 weeks. I took advantage to visit Monaco one day with one of my flat-mates (a woman from Russia) and I lived the atmosphere of the festival of San Remo, I meet again with my friend Cristiano in Genoa and I spent my last night in Lodi (in his parents' home). In spite of everything I had funny moments and I met nice people! I prefer to remember the good things and forget the bad moments. It's important to learn of these experiences.
2nd February (Saturday)I decided do a two-week course in Omnilingua Centro Linguistico e Culturale and also a training course for six months (stage) on labour administration at the school. But the conditions described in the emails were not met. The headmaster of the school (a German) wanted me to teach Spanish (in English) because their teacher of Spanish didn't know English and they needed someone to teach a student who didn't speak Italian neither Spanish. But this task was not remunerative! He told me that this labour was included in the same salary, but he didn't told me that before. The salary was less than 300€ and the rent paid by him. Moreover, I was working for them during two weeks without a contract. He gave one excuse after another, that's why I didn't continue there. I don't want become a slave, thanks.
The house where I lived was horrible... a very old flat, shared room, without Wi-fi, without microwave in a building being repared, with other two people in other rooms (in total we were 4 at home), a very small bathroom for 3 people, etc. So the conditions were so awful. The city was ugly and there was nothing interesting! Like the Third World.
I began the stage my first day at the school at the same time that the course. The school was also so old, the classrooms not well prepared and when you arrive they don't do a level test... I had a quite good level but like there no was people with my level, I stayed my first week with people from Sweden, Switzerland, etc. with an initial level!!! So I lost my first week. Though I was happy with my classmates and the teacher Daniela. She was a very good teacher and a lovely person.
At last, I stayed in San Remo during 3 weeks. I took advantage to visit Monaco one day with one of my flat-mates (a woman from Russia) and I lived the atmosphere of the festival of San Remo, I meet again with my friend Cristiano in Genoa and I spent my last night in Lodi (in his parents' home). In spite of everything I had funny moments and I met nice people! I prefer to remember the good things and forget the bad moments. It's important to learn of these experiences.
The day before the trip kissing my lovely Dante :-*
3rd February (Sunday)
The closest airports to San Remo are in Nice and Genoa but to Nice there were no low cost flights from Valencia, so I went to Genoa with Ryanair, then I took a train to Nice, in Nice I took a train to Ventimiglia, just across the Italian border and from Ventimiglia a train to San Remo!!! :P
AS Monaco FC team bus in Nice
The city of Nice from the bus. Really beautiful <3
On the train (from France to Italy)
4th February (Monday)
Old Port and Marina in San Remo
Old Port and Marina in San Remo
The Ariston Theatre (Teatro Ariston)
With an Italian guy who I met in San Remo
6th February (Wednesday)
Coin - San Remo ... At Via Roma 173/175
Coin - San Remo ... At Via Roma 173/175
Inside the school
Porto Vecchio di San Remo (Old Port)
Mercato Ittico (Fish Market)
Piccola Pesca -Associazione "Gente del Mare"
Lots of boats in the port of San Remo
The promenade
The beach near the port
7th February (Thursday)
Breakfast with classmates before the classes
Breakfast with classmates before the classes
Patrick. This Swiss guy was also a flat-mate
In the classroom (with a Swedish marriage, and two boys from England and Switzerland)
And here the students with the teacher, Daniela
Going home. Piazza Eroi Sanremesi, a square in San Remo, near the Mercato Annoario
8th February (Friday)
My first test was a success. I love Italian language
My first test was a success. I love Italian language
Cheerios!!!
9th February
At home (old and horrible flat!)
11th February (Monday)
Visiting flats was one of my tasks during the stage... I don't know why
At home (old and horrible flat!)
11th February (Monday)
Visiting flats was one of my tasks during the stage... I don't know why
Panoramic views of the city from this flat that I visited
Most homes in San Remo are old, cold, ugly!!!
In the old town. Little streets, old houses and shops, etc.
12th February (Tuesday)
Relaxing time in front of the sea
Relaxing time in front of the sea
My roomate, from Germany
Bar-restaurant pizzeria La Fontana
Primavera sculpture on the waterfront
This is the statue of San Remo. Her name is Primavera which means Spring, but in direct translation prima means first, and vera means true or truth, so Spring means first truth. That was a fun fact to realize. The flowers are sprouting, and it is just beautiful to see the hillsides full of yellow and burgandy
13th February (Wednesday)
My Italian book (B1-B2)
My Italian book (B1-B2)
Studying for Friday's test
14th February (Thursday)
La vera pizza napoletana a Sanremo! / The real Neapolitan pizza in San Remo!
La vera pizza napoletana a Sanremo! / The real Neapolitan pizza in San Remo!
15th February (Friday)
My last day of course in Omnilingua
My last day of course in Omnilingua
A bar of soap, a present from the school
The Official Certificate of the Official Language School
16th February (Saturday)
Dante through Skype!
Handsome boy!!!
Enjoying the nightlife with friends
Dante through Skype!
Handsome boy!!!
Enjoying the nightlife with friends
Foster's Australia's Famous Beer
With three friends from Italy, Venezuela and Brazil
Great ambiance because was the most important night:
San Remo Music Festival or Festival di Sanremo
Altogether
After the Festival many people on the streets waiting to see the artists
Selfies xD
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In front of the Antica Trattoria "La Pignese" in Piazza Sardi, 5
Many participants of the Festival go to La Pignese after the show.
I saw two of them getting inside
Living the night
17th February (Sunday)
Journey to Milan. Train San Remo - Milan
Journey to Milan. Train San Remo - Milan
I had to go to the Spanish Consulate in Milan to deliver a document to Spain
Pictures during the trip. The snowy landscapes!
Ronco Scrivia, a comune (municipality) in the Province of Genoa in the Italian region Liguria, located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Genoa
Cold and snowy winter
18th February (Monday)
In Milan, at Jairo's home using his computer to talk with my mom.
Dante in front of the webcam <3
In Milan, at Jairo's home using his computer to talk with my mom.
Dante in front of the webcam <3
Spanish Consulate General in Milan
On the bus
Piazza Lega Lombarda
At the train station waiting for my train to Genoa.
Milan Centrale is considered to be one of the most beautiful European train stations
Train timetables
I lived my last 5 days in San Remo and I decided to go to Genoa.
Pics taken during the journey from San Remo to Genoa
Pics taken during the journey from San Remo to Genoa
23th February (Saturday)
In Genoa. This is the small and old flat where my friend Cristiano was living! I arrived at the station and I met with him. The weather was incredibly cold so we didn't take pics...
I just wanted to get home!!! I thought I was in Helsinki instead of Genoa!!!
In Genoa. This is the small and old flat where my friend Cristiano was living! I arrived at the station and I met with him. The weather was incredibly cold so we didn't take pics...
I just wanted to get home!!! I thought I was in Helsinki instead of Genoa!!!
Piazza De Ferrari (Genoa)
Like his apartment was so small Cristiano spoke with his parents and they said we could go to their house in Lodi. Less bad ^^ We went from Genoa to Pavia by train and his father picked us up there to go to Lodi.
This was Pavia (photos below), a town and comune of south-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 35 kilometres (22 miles) south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It is the capital of the province of Pavia. It has a population of c. 68.000
Inside the car going to Lodi
It was snowing heavily at the time and visibility was poor but we arrived well :-)
I met his parents and his older brother, Leonardo. They're three but the other one was not at home. They were really nice to me - offered me a great dinner and a single room to stay. I spoke everytime in Italian language and they told me my Italian was excellent!!! Che bene!!! Che bella famiglia <3
I met his parents and his older brother, Leonardo. They're three but the other one was not at home. They were really nice to me - offered me a great dinner and a single room to stay. I spoke everytime in Italian language and they told me my Italian was excellent!!! Che bene!!! Che bella famiglia <3
After dinner some pics with Cristiano. The house was big, with two floors and a beautiful garden, in a very isolated place near Lodi. Lodi is a city and comune in Lombardy, northern Italy, on the right bank of the River Adda. It's the capital of the province of Lodi
Cristiano's dog. Adorable :D
Views from the house
24th February (Sunday)
Sunday morning, magical winter landscape
Sunday morning, magical winter landscape
With the sweet doggy
And Cristiano joined us
And now with Cristiano's mom also
Sweetie!
The car in the front yard
Tiziano, Cristiano's dad, repairing the car while raining
I accompanied Cristiano and Leonardo to vote in the general elections in Italy and then we met with other friends of them for lunch at a restaurant. We had a funny time :-)
With snow and more snow failling day by day...
Saying ciao, a presto!!! My last pics with the dog and Cristiano's mom.
I can only thank this lovely family. I cannot fail to thank for everything that they did.
They were incredibly warm and friendly with me and I felt at home every moment <3
Ciao Lodi! Going to Milan to take a bus... I traveled by bus from Milan to Valencia! A madness!!! But it was the best option in that moment. All the flights that I saw were really expensive :O It was my second abroad trip by bus and the last one! The first was to Paris.
25th February (Monday)
Photos at night taken inside the bus in Turin, the capital of the Piedmont region. The journey from Milan to Valencia took more than 20 hours. A very long and slow journey with many stopovers in between. I didn't take more pics because of the battery :P
It was raining a lot!!!
At home at last!!! Hello Dante!!!
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