26 May Part of Me
We have taken various modes of transportation to get from point A to point B on this trip. We took buses, trains, taxis, and vans. We were almost always in a rush to get to where we needed or wanted to go. Such an American thing to do, especially when traveling. Italians like to take things as they come to them. They are in no rush for anything. Even the restaurants do not rush you have you have finished your meal. You have to grab the waiter’s attention and specifically ask for the check. I decided to try a lot of new things while on this trip. One of them was taking my time to appreciate the culture in front of me. It is hard to sit by yourself and reflect on your experience when you have thirty college students with agendas. I never thought I would get a chance to explore this culture as much as I have in these two short weeks. In one of our readings for Best American the narrator was talking about how he wanted to find his place. Not the place he thought he belonged in this world, the place where he could go that he felt he could escape. Something that acted like his own personal sanctuary. I believe I have found that in Italy. My time in Italy has been life changing. I got to see the Statue of David, the Colosseum, and have a wine tasting in the Tuscan countryside. As I sit on the bus, our next destination one of our last, and look out at the mountains passing by I am filled with melancholy. I am sad to be leaving this place that will forever have a part of my heart. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be emerged in such a rich culture and make the lasting friendships that I have made. My heart is heavy with sadness but my soul is light. That is what Italy does to you. It changes your mind, body, and spirit. It makes you feel light, even if your heart is as heavy as stone. When you find somewhere that makes you feel whole and half of yourself, you know that is where you belong. That is your place. Italy is my place.
