River of Time Blog Tour: Character Interview: Gabi

An interview with Gabriella Betarrini…

What do you miss the most about the modern world when you're in Ancient Siena?

I guess it’d be convenience. Toilet paper, tampons, toothpaste, electricity, cars, planes, phones, books, Internet. You really don’t know what all you have until it’s all gone! That said, when we’re not in battle, life here is wayyyy more peaceful. Slower. It’s hard to describe, but somehow life is just more whole here. You work harder for things, but it helps you decide what’s really important. You don’t get all wrapped up in what isn’t.

Is the 14th century anything like what you'd imagined?

To be honest, I’d never really thought about what life was like in this time period. I think I’m kinda like any other teenager—pretty wrapped up in the present. Now this is my present. And I wish I’d paid more attention in history class.

Do you think you could stay in the past forever?

If one certain guy is here with me…along with my family. YES.

Do you find that ancient views of women make it difficult for you in the past?

* Laughs * Uh, yeah. They pretty much don’t know what to make of the Betarrini girls here. Because we’re used to equal rights and equal opportunity, we’re immediately weirdos. And when we’re discriminated against as women, it makes us mad. And then they think THAT is weird. So…I have to bite my tongue a lot.

What is time travel really like? Would you recommend it to anyone else?

Recommend it? I don’t know about that. If you’re ready for your whole life to turn upside-down, maybe. And if you don’t mind your life being in danger at every turn. But I do know this…If I return to my own time, I know the experience will have changed me forever. In good ways. Very good ways.

(Gabriella has her own Facebook page! You can find it via “River of Time Series” on Facebook)