2008 Woodie Awards
Ciao, from Italy
Jenna Rignanese
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
Italy is not America, and America is not Italy. Waking up, breathing, walking, talking, cooking, smiling, dogs, children, school, food, the grocery stores, coffee, even the police sirens, they are all different here.
Every morning as I open my eyes, small beams of light shine through the holes in the heavy exterior blinds, although bright and colorful on the outside, their ability to block total sunlight in midday is miraculous. Hence, why siesta is a reality for many people here.
Sometimes, you just need a coffee to perk you up and start your day.
Coffee here in Italy tastes very bitter and strong, but actually has half the caffeine as the American style.
At first, I hated the bitter cappuccinos, but now I have acquired quite the taste for them.
Taking public transportation to and from school can be quite a hassle.
Often times, the bus is not on time and I end up running to class looking very ridiculous and flustered.
The teachers here are fairly easy. Attendance policies are very strict. Go figure!
A typical class consists of about 15 to 30 students, mostly study abroad but a few resident Italians students are scattered amongst the group.
Most of my teachers are from the U.S. but now live in Italy. They are fluent in many languages and are very helpful.
Out on the streets, I see things that shock me every day.
Dogs run wild here, but unlike home, it is not acceptable to pet other people's dogs or gawk over babies.
Saying hello or smiling to a stranger on the street is not a cultural norm.
At the grocery store you must weigh your own fruits and vegetables.
If you do not the grocery clerks will talk bad about you in Italian.
The women walk the streets, ride the trams, and sit at the bars and café's dressed to the nines by 8 a.m.
First it's the tights, then the boots, the skirts, the sweater, the scarf, then the hair and the full makeup, all on one person. I often wonder where exactly they are going.
After a long day of taking in all of the sights and sounds of Italy, I come home to my apartment.
Inside my apartment, my friends and I all discuss what we saw that day and we always get in a good wow or laugh.
I go into our tiny kitchen, light the stove with a match, and begin my normal cooking routine with about four different ingredients.
Although many times I miss the amenities of home, seeing how Italy functions makes me appreciate life more.
Living with little resources is possible and having access to different countries is amazing.
This trip I have learned that I take many things for granted, and as Americans I think it is something we do without even realizing.
Unfortunately, I never thought about this until I was immersed in another culture.
Until next week, Ciao!
Every morning as I open my eyes, small beams of light shine through the holes in the heavy exterior blinds, although bright and colorful on the outside, their ability to block total sunlight in midday is miraculous. Hence, why siesta is a reality for many people here.
Sometimes, you just need a coffee to perk you up and start your day.
Coffee here in Italy tastes very bitter and strong, but actually has half the caffeine as the American style.
At first, I hated the bitter cappuccinos, but now I have acquired quite the taste for them.
Taking public transportation to and from school can be quite a hassle.
Often times, the bus is not on time and I end up running to class looking very ridiculous and flustered.
The teachers here are fairly easy. Attendance policies are very strict. Go figure!
A typical class consists of about 15 to 30 students, mostly study abroad but a few resident Italians students are scattered amongst the group.
Most of my teachers are from the U.S. but now live in Italy. They are fluent in many languages and are very helpful.
Out on the streets, I see things that shock me every day.
Dogs run wild here, but unlike home, it is not acceptable to pet other people's dogs or gawk over babies.
Saying hello or smiling to a stranger on the street is not a cultural norm.
At the grocery store you must weigh your own fruits and vegetables.
If you do not the grocery clerks will talk bad about you in Italian.
The women walk the streets, ride the trams, and sit at the bars and café's dressed to the nines by 8 a.m.
First it's the tights, then the boots, the skirts, the sweater, the scarf, then the hair and the full makeup, all on one person. I often wonder where exactly they are going.
After a long day of taking in all of the sights and sounds of Italy, I come home to my apartment.
Inside my apartment, my friends and I all discuss what we saw that day and we always get in a good wow or laugh.
I go into our tiny kitchen, light the stove with a match, and begin my normal cooking routine with about four different ingredients.
Although many times I miss the amenities of home, seeing how Italy functions makes me appreciate life more.
Living with little resources is possible and having access to different countries is amazing.
This trip I have learned that I take many things for granted, and as Americans I think it is something we do without even realizing.
Unfortunately, I never thought about this until I was immersed in another culture.
Until next week, Ciao!
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