Always

This is my last correspondence on this trip. I don't want to seem very emotional and sentimental so I'm only going to say a few words. 

Since you last heard from me I was still in high spirits because we had more time left. But now as our time has run out I would like to dedicate this blog to some of my favourite memories on this trip through my pictures. 

Our first day with the Padua kids 

Our last day with the Padua kids 

Where I belong

My favourite couple 

Another couple 

Republik nights 

Art appreciation  

Self reflection 

Mirto

Stranded at Poetto 

Waking up to my favourite thing in the world 

Sunset dinners 

Falcone "The Godfather "

Midnight on the church steps

Daniella 

Endless bus rides

Sleepy boat rides

Futbol

Being a kid again 

Constantly exploring

The vino bianco team 

Gelato nights

Pizza nights

We were laughing at something

Maybe at this...

Or this...

When it all first began

As I sit here, I remember so many stories, inside jokes, laughter and captivating moments. I explored so much of this beautiful serene island and met so many lovely people that I wish I could take with me wherever I go. I know I'll always have the memories but I wish time could stand still just for a little longer. I was never any good at goodbyes.  

Thoughts at 5 O'clock

Blue. Green. Red. Everything. I see the whole spectrum (but actually though). I don't even know what the beach we went to today was called actually. The water was just jaw dropping. If only I could live in this picture forever. 

I'm writing to you now live from the bus. We are passing by some stunning scenery here.

What's so enchanting about this island is that you can see the mountains while you are on the beach. Watching over you like a patient mother. They'll be here long after we're all gone. Or will they?

As we drive past all this natural beauty all of sudden giant eyesores come into focus. Like this industrial zone with structures unnatural to the mountain and the tree just placed amongst them like a foreigner. We put that foreigner there. Granted it provides electricity that keeps us warm and let's us microwave our popcorn but I wonder how many trees were torn down to provide this space. Trees that provide something we need way more than popcorn. 

Even though this land is relatively still taken care of compared to what's going on in some countries around the world. I can still see the signs of mistreatment by the plastic wrappers in that beautiful turquoise crystal water. The water that can invigorate your senses and lengthen your life when you're in it. And we still are alright with throwing our own filth into it. Filth that it knows not what to do with. 

Mama Earth has been through so much. Stephen Hawking thinks that in order for the human race to continue to survive in the future we will need to find another planet capable of housing life. Isn't that crazy? Our actions may literally make this planet inhabitable one day. Animals are going extinct. What animals will be on the next planet? I still want my lions and elephants and rhinos. I want my Sardinian flamingos! Maybe we can bring them to the next planet. 

I'm so glad I know now how our waste is handled because that's the best way to keep Earth alright. We need to take care of her and try to not hurt her so she can be beautiful for as long as possible.

So Annalisa even though today was not a technical visit technically, I still had the environment on my mind. Thanks for a great day. 

Angels, Devils & Stars

After a Friday filled with presentations, exams and report submissions we dedicated ourselves to relaxing and enjoying the simple things in life this weekend.  

Besides our usual outings to charming restaurants and wine with the locals the real highlight of my weekend was the Poetto beach. 

On Saturday we found some starfish! I named mine Stella. Fact, they're actually called sea stars and they have an eye spot to see at the end of each arm!

           Stella (Photo by Anna Murphy)

Some of us decided to go to Poetto today as well just because we love that clear turquoise water so much. I came out of the ocean today with one of my contacts missing from diving so much. We also went paddle boarding and that was even funnier to watch as we toppled each other over. 

Sella del Diavolo (the Devil's Saddle) is a mountainous geo-morphical shape that overlooks Poetto beach. Poetto's name actually comes from a tower named the "Poet's Tower" on Sella del Diavolo. Apparently there are stunning views from up there which I would love to see. 

The picture above is the view to the Gulf of Angels that can be seen from the Devil's Saddle. Legend has it this is where an epic struggle between Angels and Demons took place in the sky. The story goes that this is where the Devil decided to settle and the battle occurred when God sent his angels to remove the unwelcome guest on earth. This scene was then frozen in time when the devil dropped his saddle while trying to escape. 

You know it's funny because I just decided to research where Poetto got its name from for the benefit of you, the reader. After getting back home from 2 days on Poetto beach I decided to do this now. I remember gazing over at that mountain with a curious nature. Not knowing its legendary history.

It's so beautiful, how can you blame the devil. 

Ana what?

Today I woke up in a rather frenzied state an hour and a half after my alarm clock sounded by two powerful knocks on my door. I was 20 minutes late to the bus that was supposed to take us to the Villaservice Plant where we would learn all about their waste management practices. The plant does all of the following anaerobic digestion, composting, recycling and co-generation of landfilling gas, photovoltaic power stations and wind farms. Since we have seen all of the other types of waste management in previous technical visits. Today we focused on anaerobic digestion which is a collection process by which microorganisms break down biodegradable material without oxygen.

An hour ride later we arrived and were taken to a room for an hour long presentation by one of the workers with great English. Broken down by bullet points to make this quick here is what I learned:

• Anaerobic digestion comes in two stages here: 
1. Organic Slurry
2. Hydrolysis Sludge

• The plant is authorized to treat 10,800 Mg/yr of organic waste
• What is treated is stored in a dome (pictured below)

Bio-gas dome (photo by Kestral Johnson)

After we left the plant we went for a little excursion to a hiking trail in Villacidro.

SMILE (photo by Eli Brown)

The trail led to a little enclosure where I decided to set up on a boulder and laid down in the sun. The view was so beautiful. It was all cliffs and clear blue sky.

The group exploring while I lay down (photo by Eli Brown)

 It was a fun day. What I like about this program the most is that we have a divide of both, the educational and the cultural. What I also like about this program is that they are both equally as fun.