Ciao! My name is Rachel and I live in the UK. Apologies for the late start (I was in the ‘right part’ of the sea, just waking up at 3.00 in the morning for my flight obviously meant I needed to retire to my Cabin, which I’m sharing with Anna, who is one of the Russian members of the group) First things first: I arrived in Italy around 9 or 10 or 11 maybe…still adjusting to the one hour time difference! The group trickled steadily into the airport over the next few hours, and I decided I might need an Italian phrase book, so bought one from the shop…have not yet opened it and am getting by on my Spanish. Language is a big element of this trip. The Americans, other Brits and I are highly advantaged, and everyone else is amazing at English…why is Britain so behind on language? On the first day, we played a few name games. They were all really great ways to learn people’s names, but admittedly I still have problems pronouncing a few. We also made personal passports… which lead me to learn how many people are ‘Passionate about Cars’. Today was pretty busy too, the press were running around taking many pictures under the sweltering heat! We also played a great game. I got to sit on top of many peoples arms. Okay, so you must be thinking ‘What?!’ But really I did, We all had to fit inside a hula hoop and there are 20 of us. We used trust and balance by everyone having a partner, holding their wrists and leaning far outwards. The only place I (‘a small and light pizza’ according to one of the educators) could fit was sitting on top of everyone’s arm. Another task was leading a partner blindfolded around the boat… much easier said than done, but again the game helped build trust and team skills that we very much need to sail this boat. The boat itself is beautiful and I have so far not experienced much sea-sickness (*Touch Wood* of which there is a lot of, some of which I have polished. Wooop Shiny!) Got to go now
My name is Niklas. I’m 17 and I come from Germany. On the first day, I have already had very strong experiences. In the morning we played a game where we had to trust the people we have known for only one day! After this game we had to use our new knowledge to fit as many people as possible into a hula hoop. I’m proud to say that 14 people fit in there! One girl was on top of all us others! IT WAS CRAZY! But there were volunteers who just stayed outside to balance the mess! It felt that 20 young adults from all over the world became 1 team! This feeling was very intensive! Later that day we were in groups of 2. My team mate was Alexander from USA. I put a band over his eyes so he wasn’t able to see anymore. Then I had to lead him through the ship, upstairs and downstairs, over ropes and through doors. We just met 24 hours ago but he trusted me, in the true way of its meaning. . . blindly. Later, I had to trust him like that and it is definitely not as easy it sounds! Going blind through an unknown ship! I am really looking forward to start talking about the G8 topics because I already talked with many teenagers on board about it and there many good ideas.
Giovanni, age 14, Italy: Dimentico il futuro Ricordo il presente Per me questa esperienza su nave italia in cui sono stato una volta con la mia classe per una gita mi ha lasciato senza parole all’idea di tornarci! L’idea di farmi nuovi amici non ha nessun problema anzi tutto il contrario! Se io non conoscessi altre persone ti immagini che noia sarebbe la vita passata in solitaria! Fortuna vuole che io ho degli amici con cui stare! Aiutare gli altri per me vuol dire: - farsi molti amici - mettersi nei loro panni o discorsi - sapere cosa vogliono e cosa io dovrei fare per loro - devo essere forte e dominare me stesso riguardo agli impulsi Come m ha detto poco fa mia mamma altro non ho da fare se non godermela
Activity: Spider web: The goal of this game was to develop teamwork. A "spider web" of rope was constructed on the mid-ship deck with numerous holes, some high, some low, some larger than others. All the teens were placed on one side of the net. They were given the challenge to get the entire group of 21 onto the opposite side of the net - going through the holes, without touching the ropes. They had to build a strategy considering who went first, how to put members through the higher spaces and to anticipate how the last 2 people would get through the web without assistance
Activity: Experience what it feels like to be blind and what it feels like to trust someone to "see" for you.
This evening we tasked the group to create their own "passport" - one that described themselves, their hobbies, passions, beliefs and values. We handed out magazines, glue, scissors and colored pens -- they applied themselves with great creativity. Later, the group took turns to show and describe their passports as a creative introduction of themselves. Not only did we learn that almost everyone loves pizza, we also glimpsed their dreams for embracing diversity, helping the discriminated and the universal desire to positively change the world. If only all passports could be so expressive and inspiring. Pictured: Niklas & Anna with their passports
This afternoon we played some games to help everyone get to know each other. Goals from this session are to learn names and develop trust/ teamwork. One challenge was to put a hula hoop on the ground and see how many people we could "put" into it - meaning that at least one foot had to be _in_ the hoop and the foot outside the hoop could not touch the ground. The game quickly became 3 dimensional with several people piled on top. End result? 15 people for 20 seconds. Not too bad for the first try!
Hi everyone. The young people have all finally arrived from the 4 corners of the world. For the past 24 hours, we’ve busied ourselves settling into the boat, learning 40 new names (the young people, the educators and the ship’s crew). We are slowly getting oriented with the ship and getting to know each other – all in English, which is a 2nd language for almost everyone. Oh… and then there’s the jetlag… Zzzzzzzz. After a “buon viaggio” ceremony by friends, family, officials and organizers we finally set sail this afternoon – heading toward the blue horizon and into the arms of this adventure. For many of our group, this is the first time to experience life on a boat. The excitement and wonder is contagious. I have to say it would touch the heart of even the most rugged and seasoned mariner. We are lucky today. The sky is clear and there is wind, so we are putting up the sails immediately! Pictured below: Name Games with some group members
Ciao from the Nave Italia! I’m Jennifer, one of the educators for the YPG8 project and the facilitator of this blog. One of the goals of the YPG8 is to use this blog as a way to talk about what we are learning and experiencing during this very special voyage. You will regularly hear from me about the daily activities of the group. I will also be posting photos of our adventures. More importantly -- you will also hear from the young people who are embarked on the Nave Italia. There are no rules or requirements for what they post – our goal is simply to give you a glimpse of our adventures on the sea, some insight on the issues we are discussing and to share some of the thoughts and feelings the activities provoke. We invite you to share this experience with us and to post any questions, feedback or well wishes to the teens and the crew. Thanks for joining us. Fair seas to all.
On July 1st twenty young people from different countries will sail off from Civitavecchia's port on Nave Italia. They will learn how to sail while debating on the same global issues as the G8 leaders, using their diversity as an enriching element to discussion.
The blog is an opportunity for young people all over the world to contribute to these discussions and to follow the Young People G8 delegates in their journey.
Welcome on board!
Alexander, Anna, Clara, Florent, Giovanni, Jacob, Janneke Luise, Melissa, Novisa, Rossella, Amy, Antonio, Dora, George, Hazem, Jacopo, Liza, Nilklas, Rachel, Stefano.
