i threw my map away

Ponte Vecchio

Anyone noticing a pattern?..

We're locals now.

Main mode of transportation

 Homemade Eggplant Parm, bruschetta and salad

Italian Street Performer (and my new jacket)

This week's cooking class lesson: shrimp over chickbean puree/hummus 

 On the Ponte Vecchio, padlocks signify love. Couples lock them, kiss the keys and throw them in the river.

Trying to capture the essence of the people

The closest thing I've found to Mexican food

My wall of cards and photos!

 The apron they gave us for cooking class

Travel (v): 1 To discover new places, lands and people; to immerse yourself in a new culture; to be open-minded to learning & to subject yourself to being an outsider.

---

In Travel Writing we had to make up definitions for what travel actually is, and I think this one I created about sums it up for me. It’s been almost three weeks in Europe now and I’m finally settled in.

Considering my insane schedule from last semester, I’m used to a very fast-paced/city lifestyle at this point in my life. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been late to class, or how often I’ve cut it close making it to work on time, or how much fast food I’ve eaten simply due to the fact that I “didn’t have time” to get a real meal.

It’s only been almost three weeks in Europe, but I’ve (forcibly) done some serious reevaluation of the habits I have at home. Here at FUA, if you’re late to class twice it counts as an absence. If you’re absent more than twice, they take away an entire letter grade, and if you’re absent more than 3 times, you fail the class. If you aren’t punctual, you literally fail out. Another note on FUA: I never expected the school work to be easy here, but I was told by my friends who had studied abroad before that school abroad would be a “nice break” from GSU. This has proved to be the most inaccurate expectation yet. Luckily I really enjoy all of my classes, but the work isn’t easy in any sense. There is a lot more reading to be done here than at GSU, there are weekly essays and a considerable amount of on-going projects. And historically, I HATE on-going projects. I like being able to start something and finish it before I get up, but with on-going projects, it has to always be in the back of your mind. I’m getting better at managing things like that and and keeping organized.

When I first got to Florence, I would find myself passing people on the sidewalk, trying to get the check quickly when I had no where to be, etc. As I was sitting in front of the Santa Croce the other day, I was really looking at the architecture. I was observing all of the people slowly walking around as if they had no schedule to follow. There were many people, like myself, simply sitting on the benches trying to soak up some of the warm sunshine. As I was reflecting, I realized that I have been in a rush my entire life. In a rush to get my food and eat it quickly, in a rush to get to school and work on time, in a rush to walk somewhere when I’m not even on a time table.

I haven’t gotten to experience many other European destinations yet, so I can’t say the whole continent is this way. But what I can say is that Florence is a city of embracing the present, not rushing it.

I’m reading a book right now that touches on how the past is gone, the future isn’t guaranteed, and that the only thing we truly have is the present. Think about the conversations you’ve had with people over the last few days. What did you say? Probably, “well, I want to do this eventually”, or “at 8 pm I’m going to…”, or “I want to see/do this”, or “yesterday I…”. Why don’t people ever talk about the now? Why is it so uncommon to look around and enjoy what you see, and to realize that this moment will never happen again? (I’m including myself in said people.) Life doesn’t have replays, only flashbacks. I’ve even found myself trying to avoid taking pictures all day/every day here because I want to make sure I see it myself, first. Sometimes I get so caught up in trying to take a photo that I think I partially miss what’s actually in front of me. The fact that it’s already February blows my mind—time doesn’t stop for anyone.

I’ve been advised by countless people to throw away my map and just wander, and to “stop worrying” about what I’m doing tomorrow. If these people can live in a world where RIGHT NOW is what matters, why can’t I?

My vow to Florence is to stop rushing ahead and to stop letting fear and anxiety consume my mind. This is a city where people sit down for dinner instead of swinging by for take out, and where people walk to dinner instead of taking a cab. It’s a city where people dream to get lost instead of avoiding it.

---

ACTIVITIES:

~I was talking to somebody in a pub and we got into an argument (discussion?) as to whether Europe/Asia was one continent or two. I was taught that they are separate, but he was taught that it is one “Eurasia”. We as people are all taught such different things in both school and our ways of life in general. It’s important not to think of yourself as “correct”, but to see and consider other people’s point of views as well.

~Marissa and I went to The Old Stove for The Super Bowl. The Falcons didn’t make it there, so all I really cared about was the half time show. Beyonce was amazing and Destiny’s Child reunited on stage…I was so excited! It was the best half time show I’ve ever seen. Side note: Europe doesn’t play funny commercials. I missed my Dorrito, beer and whatever else ads form the US. Half time was over around 2:30 am Italy time, so I had to go home and get to bed after. Marissa stayed there until 5:30 to watch her team lose.

~I joined a club sponsored by ISA and FUA called Intercambio last week. The club consists of 25 Italian students who are trying to learn English and 25 Americans trying to learn Italian. It was a first-come first-serve sign up basis, so I’m lucky I got a spot. For our first meeting on Tuesday we went to a restaurant/bar and ended up all staying 3 hours together. Actually speaking to Italians one-on-one who are willing to help you as you help them is such a great way to learn, but also extremely frustrating. I think that’s what makes you learn, though. Listening to an Italian who speaks extremely broken English while they have to listen to you attempt Italian is really difficult. You have to try to make out what they’re saying and correct them, and vise-versa. There were multiple instances where I thought I was going to break down crying because everything was so broken and we were so stuck. Starting from square one with a new language is really difficult…it’s starting with the knowledge of a baby, basically. Nothing. It’s so frustrating to want to speak but not know how. The club meets once a week at restaurants, pubs, for parties, etc. I learned so much in the short three hours we were altogether…a few of the Italians told me that my Italian was really good for having only started speaking a week ago, which made my night! It’s one thing to study Italian in class or at home, but so different sitting down with someone who can correct you on the spot. I’m excited for the next meeting. 

OBSERVATIONS:

~Marissa and I know there is a soccer game on when we hear a roar of people cheering outside our window at the pub. It’s so loud and so all-the-time that it feels like we are actually LIVING at a live soccer game. Italians love their soccer.

~I haven’t seen a single obese person since I got off the plane. That probably has everything to do with all of the walking everyone does, the Mediterranean diet people eat and the fact that I’ve only seen one McDonalds and one Subway in Florence. Those are the only restaurants I recognize here from the United States. 

~Shopping Etiquette: umm, there is none. Dogs are allowed in stores, people will push past you and won’t say anything because it’s just the culture here. The pushing is rude to me, but normal for them.

~Everyone with an apartment has two keys: one “traditional” one to get into the building of your apartment, and one skeleton key to get into the apartment itself. That’s how all of them that I’ve seen are—I don’t know why!

~There is no such thing as deodorant the way Americans know it. My mom had to ship me some from The U.S.
~After I told the bartender who made my cappuccino this morning "gratzi", he said "prego bella prego" while pinching my cheek. I thought it was strange, but this is acceptable behavior here.
~One of my teachers described it the perfect way. Florentines resemble the architecture: "fortress" (a heavily protected and impenetrable building). If you offer anyone a smile on the streets or in a shop, they will stare at you as if you did something wrong. Many people are NOT friendly here. Italians think Americans are weird for asking "how are you" to strangers when they don't actually care to know, and I understand that. But I hope I don't become cynical about smiling here, and then come back to America and come off as rude for not smiling. Ay dio.