Castelvetrano, Sicily

For my first Global Volunteers experience, I was one of the lucky 6 beginning this
program in the beautiful and ancient town of Castelvetrano. We came as strangers from all over the US. For two weeks we lived and ate delicious food together, convened for daily check-ins and motivating discussion, and each worked intensely in our different schools. On the intervening weekend, we planned travel to several other notable Sicilian towns, with the invaluable help of Giovanni. We used afternoons for exploring such places as an olive oil processing plant, gelateria, patisseries, and singing at the "Sistine Chapel of the South." We left feeling a connection and respect not only to our students and host teachers but to each other and our leader, Phyllis.
We all knew the complications of travel during COVID, and it was more involved than any travel I'd done previously, but so worth the effort! It was hard to say goodbye; I gained so much, and loved the experience!