This post was written by Sabreena Jiwani, a Short-Term United Planet volunteer in Italy.

I have been here for a little less than a week and have already seen/heard things I never imagined I would.

Where is ‘here’? I am at a Rifugio Re Carlo Aberto located by the village of Luserna San Giovanni. This village is about an hour south of Turin, Italy. It’s beautiful here. This the view from my balcony. It was amazing as I walked into my room and saw this view.

The rifugio is a place for elderly people with Alzheimer’s. It’s amazing how many different ways the staff and management tries to make sure that their patients are “happy”. I help with the physiotherapy side of the Rifugio and its really interesting how we take small things our body can do for granted. On Tuesday mornings, we have a “Gimnastico” session. We do small activities such as: Can you join your hands in a “prayer” position and then twist your wrists left and right? I am sure most of you can. But in many cases here, the elderly have a really hard time with that. Also, I noticed that they don’t remember my name. The incredible thing is that they remember me but my name is not registered in their memory.

The best thing about Italy is their life style. Everyone is very calm, laid back, and they don’t get angry at small things. Oh, and of course another great thing in Italy is their GELATO!!! And it’s simply beautiful here. Here is a picture of the view about 5 minutes walk from the rifugio.

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