Hey everyone, I'm sorry it's been so long since I've written. I've been busy with school and life here in Italy that I have been too lazy to update everyone. I think the latest exciting thing that happened, was I went with my school to Carnival in Venice. I have never been SO cold...
I chose to go to Carnivale through my school, instead of making plans myself and although it was a bit more expensive it was really nice to finally take a trip where everything was planned out for you. I didn't have to buy train tickets, or figure out a hostel, and I honestly just got to experience Carnivale without having to worry about plans, trains, money, etc.
I'm used to Carnival in South American cultures that I was really excited to see what Carnival was like for Italians. Because we're all living in Florence, a very touristy city, you don't get to see a lot of Italian culture. I was really excited to finally participate in something cultural. Carnival was truly amazing, especially because it was in Venice - the masks and costumes people had on were absolutely exquisite. Venice takes such pride in their masks, that just walking around outside felt like you were in a fashion show. Family's dressed their kids up, everyone was carrying balloons, and people had on costumes that must have costed hundreds of dollars. And some of these masks were so over the top beautiful, they also must have costed a few hundred collars. It was really amazing. Even though it was so cold, it was really fun to be able to explore the city with a big group of people and just dance in the square with everyone.
There weren't as many people out (Italians) this year for Carnival (the locals told us) because it was so cold. We're having the most rare winter Italy has had in years everyone tells us. Venice was colder than 20 degrees at night, and because there is a dance party in the square until early morning, we were out all night - I had 3 pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, at least four layers on, and I still couldn't feel my toes! I was a bit disappointed in how cold it was, but it was also really exciting to see venice with ice and some snow! You don't get to see that very often. This was my third time going to Venice, and I wasn't too excited to see it for a third time - but this trip was absolutely amazing. Our school group got so much closer, I met some amazing people I hadn't met before. We wore our masks, painted our faces, dressed up, and pretty much weren't sober for 72 hours.
Something I have realized lately, is that this abroad experience is very different from any other one I have had. I feel like at first, I was extremely disappointed in how little Italians I was meeting, how little of the language I was speaking, and how many Americans are surrounding me. I wasn't too inspired for classes and to make art, and I felt like I was wasting my time here. I could have picked anywhere in the world to study and I picked the one place that is filled with Americans. And then I realized something. Not every abroad experience is about a different culture. Sometimes it's about the people you meet when abroad, and how they affect you. I would never have chosen to go to an art school for 4 years of my college career. I am in love with Scripps and I made the complete right choice to go there. I also miss the people and place more than anything. BUT there is something about being surrounded by art students that is truly fascinating. Not only is everyone so friendly and caring towards one another here, I have met the most fascinating people I think I will ever meet. Each person's art is so particular and special to who they are as people and what life experiences they have gone through, that I feel honored that I have gotten to know these people. Not only are the people at my school so special, they are some of the most creative eccentric and warm hearted people I have ever met. No one is afraid to be artsy, paint their faces, go dancing and look like a fool - everyone is just themselves. There is something about art students that is hard to explain. Everyone is so interested in helping others with their projects and their art, that it isn't hard to become inspired here. At first I was really disappointed in the abroad experience I was having, but after changing my attitude a bit, I'm really happy where I am. And I feel really excited that I get to spend the next few months with such amazing people.
I have actually been speaking more Italian though! I have two Italian exchange partners. One is 16 and in High School and does not speak a word of English. It's really hard to keep up a conversation when i'm looking through my dictionary and playing pictionary every other word but it also pushes me to learn how to figure out what i can say to explain myself when I have such little vocab skills. I never realized how much Spanish I knew until coming to Italy. Little words I would never know how to say in Italian, I know in Spanish because of how many books I was forced to read, all the movies I watched and all my abroad experience in Spanish speaking cultures where I needed to learn odd words to get by that school would never teach you! But i'm slowly learning them in Italian and I definitely think I want to keep up my Italian when I get back home. My friend Greg has been living here for about a year now, he's in Culinary school. He has two friends that are a couple living together. They are from the South of Italy, but living in Florence together, and do not speak one word of English. He calls them his family. They are so caring and sweet. He took me to their house the other night for dinner, and they cooked us a huge meal. They spoke SO FAST, but I had to just get by because I wanted to speak Italian, I wanted to practice, and I think I did pretty well. I could understand almost all of what was going on, and Greg and I helped each other out. We were lucky that when one of us didn't understand usually the other one did and visa versa. I can't wait to go back and talk to them again. I participated a lot in the conversation and they helped me out with my Italian by correcting me (politely) when I would make a mistake. I'm meeting more and more Italians which is really exciting.
Another guy, his name is Luca, is one of my other Italian Exchange partners. He's 26 and is a nurse at the children's hospital here in Florence. His english is really amazing, but he makes me speak in Italian with him, as he answers in English. He has taken an interest in showing me around the city, and taking me to all the historic sights i have to see. I must say, it's really nice to have a local tour guide! Especially how much he is helping with my Italian!
Oh right, Venice. To sum up Venice, it was freezing, it was amazing, we wore masks and drank pretty much all night and morning long. We also went to a warehouse one night where local Italian bands were playing. THAT was amazing. The music was actually really good. There is nothing like an Italian live concert!
Other than that, I'm going to class, working on art, going out a lot with friends, meeting amazing people, a bit homesick lately but it's OK because it's been warming up and everyone is much happier! It was 55 today and I almost cried I was so happy! I only wore one layer with one fleece, and no scarf, and I wasn't cold at all. It was sunny and beautiful and i felt like everyone in the streets were smiling. I'm really excited for it to keep warming up because I think more people will be out in the streets at night and hanging out outside instead of curled up in their apartments where it's semi warm.
Any way - I better get going. BUT I'm off facebook for a while so if you want to reach me just email me
Dgrenley@gmail.com
More to come - spring break is in 15 days and I'm traveling to Amsterdam, London, and Ireland. CAN'T WAIT!
<3 D
Nessun commento:
Posta un commento