By Lakilah Harrigan Living on a quaint Island like Bermuda strikes many foreigners as unimaginable -- even a bit strange. While visitors to the Island are awed by Bermuda's beauty they may never get to truly absorb the culture in a short stay.

American teenagers and their mentors in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America programme descended upon Bermuda recently from New York to get a taste of Bermuda's culture -- quirks and all.

Aided by Bermudians in the Bermuda organisation, Curtis Robinson, 18, and his mentor Peter Daddabbo and Daniela Maldonado, 17, and her mentor Clemencia Hernandez, they toured the Island during the second part of an exchange programme which was launched last year.

The exchange was spearheaded when the manager of the New York Big Brothers and Big Sisters organisation walked across the Bermuda headquarters on Front Street while on vacation here several years ago. The Bermuda group was formed in 1977 and pairs same-sex role models with children from non-traditional homes.

The aim of the exchange was to expose the youth involved in the organisations to cultures other than their own. It was hoped that the youngsters would discover the similarities which exist between different cultures.

The New York group met up with Bermudian big brother/little brother pair William Wharton and Blake Somner and big sister/little sister pair Karen Lisuer and Natalie Sannelman.

While the New Yorkers had only been here a few hours when they were interviewed, they were aware of the vast differences between life here to their lives back home.

Curtis said: "Driving is different. Everyone is on the opposite side of the road and you have to walk on the opposite side of the road.'' He also noted what he hoped to gain from the experience. "I want to see how they live everyday life. There are some differences.'' And Daniela added that the people seemed friendly and warm.

Her big sister, Ms Hernandez, said: "Besides getting closer to my little sister than I already am, it's nice to meet other people who are involved and you get to see why they enjoy doing volunteer work.'' Last summer, a contingent of Bermudians ventured to the Big Apple for the first part of the exchange.

There they were exposed to what life is like for those young people in the inner city.

While sightseeing was a chief activity that the Bermudians were involved in while abroad, they were also exposed to important issues which affect those who live in New York.

Mrs. DeCosta noted that the New Yorkers would not talk about many issues while here in Bermuda.

"We really just want to give them more of a cultural experience. We want it more on the cultural vein,'' she said.

Big siblings Mr. Wharton and Ms Liseur were the recipients of the Big Brother and Big Sister of the year awards this year.

When asked what they most wanted to relay to the New York matches about their home, the two had similar reactions.

Mr. Williams said: "Some of the treasures of Bermuda and things that are uniquely Bermudian.'' Ms Liseur added: "Snorkelling on the reefs and the history of the Maritime Museum.

"Basically to share the beauty of the Island and the people.'' Last year's winner of the Big Brother of the year honour, Charles Williams, and his Little Brother Amaury also assisted this year's matches with the tour guiding duties.

The pair, who visited New York last year, hosted the male New York match on Mr. Williams' boat, something for which organisation case worker Doris DeCosta feared the Americans were not quite ready.

But they seemed to manage well and both said they did not mind "roughing it''.

Big Brother, Mr. Daddabbo, noted: "I've been other Islands before but I've never experienced one this way. I stayed in a hotel or something.'' But he reckoned he and Curtis got a true Island experience by staying on the boat.

Mr. Williams said: "I just want them to see that despite the differences in culture our aims are the same -- I'd like them to just soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful Island.'' Other activities for the New York visitors included visits to the town of St.

George's, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Fort St. Catherine, Harbour Nights, the Aquarium, the Maritime Museum, a glass bottom boat tour and of course, lots of swimming.

This year's exchange was organised by Mrs. DeCosta and social worker and programme manager at the New York agency, Frank Kortright.

Mr. Kortright said: "It's beautiful to see the kids exposed to something other than their block. They can relate to their commonalities.'' The Bermuda based organisation is always seeking more male mentors. She said there is a huge waiting list of young boys.

Sharing the experience: Little sister Daniela Maldonado and her mentor Clemencia Hernandez share a special moment while visiting Bermuda for the second half of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters New York /Bermuda exchange.