La Casa sul Lago

The front gate of the hostel.

So after arriving at la Casa sul lago I learnt that the hostel was actually more like a summer camp for 80+ Belgium teenagers (aged between 15-17).So work was going to be very very busy. The next morning I started work and meet Valentino. She is the boss, giangiocomo..( or gg for shorts) sister. I knew that I really did not want to upset her as the Estonian girls had warned that anything she said regardless of how true was accepted by her brother (the boss). So I worked hard and put up with her bitchy comments without say anything.

The hostel front garden

That afternoon I went for a bike ride around the local area with Alex. Alex is from Romania and worked at the hostel washed dishes. The hostel was located on a lake so we rode the bike around the lake to the ferry terminal. The country side was lovely! It was just like all the movies you have seen on Tuscany with rolling hills covered in olive trees and small old stone villas. I loved it. Alex explained to me that at work we are the once who have to work and the local Italian employees will sit around smoking and drinking coffee and telling you off. He seemed like he had been working there too long and was ready to go home.

The next few days went well. In the morning I worked with Valentino and just ignored her bad mood swings and at lunch I worked with the Estonian girls. They were lovely and made everything so much fun. In the afternoons I had free time to do whatever I wanted. It was a nice deal and I did not mind working 6 hours straight cos I spent the afternoon relaxing.

My boss Giangiocomo ran the business with his 'girlfriend' Laura but was always making moves on everyone. I really disliked it and would not put up with any of his comments which I made clear to him right away. After I made it was clear, he left me alone. Actually he almost stopped talking to me all together. He had weird mood swings like that where he would just stop talking to everyone. I did not care, I was just there to work and get free food, accommodation and a little bit of money in return.

After about 3 days or something 2 new girls started called Emma (from London) and Lara (from Ireland). They were both more up for a holiday than a working holiday but were really fun to hang out with.

I got 2 days off a week so on my first break I went to Venice.