As I do a walk-run through the busy streets of Florence, I am struck with the thought, at what age do Italian women get the privilege of looking at faces while they walk? Perhaps it is my Salem upbringing, or perhaps just the woman in me that wants to be able to look at people if I please, without being bothered. And I do please. As I pass by many people, the men look up at female passer-byers. Younger women take the typical stone face straight ahead approach, that I have spoken of before. Can I not look in the faces of those around me without unwanted attention, especially at night? But again I repeat, at what stage in life can women start taking on the privilege of Italian men and observe EVERYONE around them?
While exercising my body, I noticed an older Italian man who could nothing more than balance with the stone wall and stairring straight down at the ground. I have to strongly resist the urge to walk over to him and help him to his destination. Maybe it is just my rushed lifestyle back home, but I notice more "grandpa" and "grandmas" in Firenze. I can't help but smile at each of them, even if they don't notice me look back.
Julio is my host mom's grandson. He is just about the cutest thing I have seen. As he eats his snakes (green beans), he repeats an Italian word over and over as if trying it out on his 3 yr. old tongue. Children are the same no matter what culture or language they speak. He speaks very little english, but his precious smile is universal.
As for my classes, I have discovered I can't escape New Zealand no matter what I do. The professor of my nutrition/cooking class is from there. He has to adjust his speech to American English so we can understand him. That stuff you feed to cars is "gas" we inform him. I think that will be my favorite class with a close runner up, photography. Photography should help with my "artistic release" in a constructive way. We will be using photoshop mostly instead of a dark room. Kind of disappointed, but this is the 21st century I guess. Major studio hours will have to be put in on my time along with class time 6 hours a week, but I will finally have a beginning photography class under my belt.
Cooking. Love that word! I am showing up to a class 10 minutes late in the morning simply so I can be sure to reserve a spot for the 5 classes throughout the semester. I have looked at the description several times today simply because I am so in love with these classes that haven't even started yet. I love the art that comes along with cooking. There is such a complexity of it. Perfect proportions. Perfect texture. Such creativity.
Sarah
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