Under the Florence Sun

Wow! I don't even know where to begin. I feel like so much has happened in the past couple days. Throughout everyday, I think of stuff I am realizing and appreciate more here, along with little "awakenings" that I have. One of the top things I appreciate right now, which may or may not seem trivial to you, but guys here don't hold the door for women. He may look twice, or not take his eyes off her, but it doesn't cross his mind to be chivalrous, if he even knows what that means. In the lyrics of a favorite song of mine, "daddy didn't teach [them]". I also appreciate Mountain Dew, but that really is trivial so I totally didn't type that out loud...The last thing I will mention is my friends. I defintly appreciate my core friend group at home and at school. I have made some great friends here, don't get me wrong, they are amazing, but we don't have the depth and connection that happens at home. I realize it hasn't been that long, but the feeling is different, and I can't really explain that. Here, we bond because one of us just saved the other one from getting smushed by a moped (That is totally legit too. Several people have done just that for me. These drivers are crazy!). I am defintely having to be more intentional with my time, esepcially in maintaining relationships. (p.s. I am saying this because I feel somewhat guilty that I haven't kept up or responded to the amazing people in my life as I should have. I very very very much appreciate you though!!)

Ok, so on to my happenings after that long rant...This past weekend I went to Cinque Terre which is made up of 5 hillside villages by the sea. The views were stunning, ok stunning doesn't even begin to describe how they looked. They are way up high on cliffs with the Mediteranean (and all it's blueness) surrounding everything. Getting there was quite an experience and learning time! It was my first train trip, and I don't speak Italian....in Italy's defense, a lot of things were in English, just not everything. As is usual these days, we were a little lost as to what to do most of the time (put in my usual sarcasim for the word "little" and you've got how we looked and felt). So, after two tickets (one being wrong), we made it to Riomaggiore, the first village. While there, I stayed in my first hostile. Wow, I am NOT  a fan simply because of my cleanlyness phobia with strange beds and linens, but the word "cheap" was leaping out at me everywhere. We hiked between a coupe of the villages which was a challenge. I am all about physical challenges these days so it was fun in its own way. I felt pretty beasty after. Great feeling of accomplishment.
The towns didn't have much to do other than eat Pesto, which they are known for, drink wine and eat grapes, which they are also known for, and take in the gorgeous scenery. We decided it was the perfect place to go for a wedding anniversary.

Coming back on the train, it was the strangest feeling. I was super excited to be coming "home". It literally felt like that. I loved the villages and the coast, but Florence is where I have strived to put down roots, and after Sunday afternoon, I know I have. Something I have recently learned about myself is I always try to make where ever I am living, feel like home. I unconscouly connect to people, places, anything and everything in the area, so I make myself feel like I am at home. Florence and I have done just that. Stepping off the train, I actually said, "we're home!" and got the biggest surge of excitment. (I feel incredibly stuck up saying this) but on the rather long walk from the train station to our family's homes, we had to walk through the center (where ALL  the tourists go because the duomo is there and shopping, etc). I was getting a little impatient with them because they walk slowly, like tourists (big shocker!). After a long weekend and lots to do to prepare for class the next day, I just wanted to be "home" relaxing. Again, I feel snobby saying that, but I am not going to cover up that great feeling. It reasured me I have made a connection with this place.

Today in photography, we walked to one of the main tourist places. The project I chose was to focus on relationships and interactions between people. At the end of the 1 hour session, I realized the Italians are so dramatic and use their hands to make their point. Of course I looked for people who would come across in my photos as telling a story, so the more drama in the photo, the better. Glancing through them at the end, I chose mostly Italians, and not many other cultures (although almost every culture was equally represented). They tend to be a louder more vocal culture. They also are more affectionate. Even after being here for 2 weeks now, I have found that has rubbed off on me a tiny bit, if only in the little ways such as standing closer to another person as we talk. I don't have my "my space" issue I had as much.

Being in Florence has given me such a hunger for other cultures and people. Maybe grad school abroad is in my future....who knows.

Sarah