What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear of Brescia? Footballers Pirlo and Balotelli who come from the same named province, mountains, lakes, or just a small hidden and relatively unknown paradise midst the famous Franciacorta vineyards? Brescia is all of them and even more. Heading there for AEGEE’s Summer University (SU) I wasn’t sure whether I had to expect more than a typical SU full of sports, but I was proved wrong, because I spent there the most magnificent two weeks of my life.
The SU ‘s motto was: Be Green, Go Extreme, and Just SUrvive. 30 participants from 13 countries gave their best to fulfill the high demand and survive the challenge of non-stop hiking, walking, partying under the hot sun of Lombardy. And we did it! There were moments when some of us believed we couldn’t do it, we were scared, we reached our limits and then we passed them. We were SUrvivors, but above all, we found in each other some great friends, somewhat like a family – priceless gifts that AEGEE gives you unconditionally.
Having as a main theme sport in nature, the adventure began by climbing in Caionvico, a hill on the outskirts of Brescia. Then we moved to a three-day sightseeing phase, by visiting firstly the great Venice with its canals, gondolas, marvelous buildings and palazzi.
After that it was Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, of opera, art and love, where Sara of AEGEE-Verona guided us through her picturesque city. In between the rainy city rally of Brescia, which resembled a Dostoyevsky landscape under the pouring clouds. Italian culture and beauty conquers easily every heart without trying much, and gives you every single moment reasons to fall for it. The participants were fascinated, argued vividly which corner or building is more beautiful, walking through the magical narrow streets, taking pictures, collecting memories.
They say that lovers’ paradise is Paris, but they are wrong. Italy is the centre of art, culture, love, food and all of the above are underlined by this language sounding like a song. Yes, I’m biased and I exaggerate, but the memories are still so strong and, closing my eyes, I’m still wandering Brescia, eating a gelato at Piazza della Loggia.
I keep my eyes closed and continue to dream: vineyards, Guido Berlucchi in famous Franciacorta, sailing to Monte Isola in Iseo Lake. We were travelling to the mountains, in the Italian Prealps and we settled in a beautiful stony house, named Stallino in Caregno. Pure nature and silence. By visiting Azienda Agricola Pesei farm, the participants became familiar to agro-tourism and life of cultivating the earth.
European Night, when one of the organisers, Alessandro got drunk and started loving taking selfies, the Italian cooking workshop, the brief return to Brescia and then the trip to Riva del Garda, it all comes back to me with joy. Crossing through the tunnels I felt like James Bond in the Quantum of Solace movie. This journey was an epic on so many levels. But the most beautiful lake we visited was, undoubtedly, Tenno Lake, a small lake hidden in the mountains, with blue water that reminded me of my beloved Aegean sea.
Back in action, we went to Casto, to climb a via ferrata, which actually is climbing over a steel cable that crosses your entire route and protects you from falling. Most participant regarded this activity as the highlight of the SU (apart from the gossip box)!
I loved every single moment of the SU and so did everybody else who was there. These intense moments experienced together bring people close and are the start of great friendships.
Love you crazy participants and organisers of AEGEE-Brescia SU 2015. Ci vediamo presto!!
Written by Elena Panagopoulou, AEGEE-Athina
Photos by
Michele Minuti & Luca Bisighini, AEGEE-Brescia
Maria Giourga, AEGEE-Ioannina,
Ongun Batuhan Altan, AEGEE- Eskisehir