Up until now, I've thought I've desperately wanted to return to the States as soon as humanly possible. For me, Perugia was synonymous with creepy men and unseemly store-hours (a.k.a the italians have too much siesta time). However, as my departure date looms ahead, I've begun to revaluate my time here. I've realized that there's only a certain period in a girl's (or boy's) life that she can do whatever she wants in a carefree and spontaneous manner. That's why I took this gap-year after all - to do whatever I want when I want to do it, and to experience life to its fullest without being tied down with responsibilities such as school, work, having a family etc. When I really think about it, while I've been annoyed and at times scared due to the sexist nature of most Italian men, I've had some amazing times as well. I've been able to learn a new language at my own pace, without having to stress over grades or tests, I've learned that I have a passion not only for eating (those who know me well can attest to this) but also for cooking, I've had fun nights out with my friends (pretty much every night), and with these people I've shared countless laughs due to the awkward situations in which we always find ourselves. And there's something to be said for experiences, as my dad so wisely says. Whether they be bad, good, or awkwardly funny, experiencing new sights/sounds/tastes/smells at this time in my life - when I'm completely uninhibited - is priceless.
I have to say though, as I've said before, without my parent's support I would not be able to this in the slightest. Financially and morally, they support my decisions, whether that may be wanting to return to the States at one moment, or continue staying in Perugia the next moment. They know that the experiences that I'm able to have during this gap-year will be unparalleled in the course of my life, and they are so willing and obliging to do everything that will let me have the time of my life, and seriously, for that, I could NOT be more grateful. It's a beautiful thing, to have the full support of my parents behind everything I do, even if what I do at the moment is drink cheap italian wine and host cooking parties at my apartment.
Take last night for example. My friends and I met some Italian guys who just happen to be chefs at a little home-style restaurant in Spoleto, Umbria. I invited them to the apartment, as they said they would cook for me and my friends. They said they would be over at 8:15, but when the clock struck 9 pm, I began to wonder if they were coming at all. At probably 9:05, two of the guys trickled in to the apartment .... without any food in their clutches. Disappointed, I thought they had probably gone back on their word. One of the guys said that he had to go get the rest of his friends, and disappeared. That left me and MY friends (4 of us) entertaining this one guy who was randomly in my apartment. The rest of the guys resurfaced though ... this time baring bags upon bags upon bags of STUFF. They had brought their own utensils (plastic, so that they/or I wouldnt have to clean up - kind!), their own glasses, and LOTS of foodstuffs. I asked them if they needed any help, but they made themselves at home in my kitchen, and told the ladies that we could just wait out in the living room or on the terrace, whichever we fancied more, while they cooked. Now I could get used to this.
So while we were on the terrace, one of the guys called us down, and there he had self-made drinks ready made (since his job is a barista). So, we were given a nice little aperitif and then left to relax again. A little bit later the boys called us again, this time beckoning us to the kitchen, where they had set out plates and plates of appetizers (sauteed prawns with soft-boiled egg and a slice of lime to accompany it)! - As we ate, they continued cooking, and after appetizers, they had made us tortellini with cream sauce and bacon. Afterward, they cleaned everything up, while the ladies were allowed to just sit around (don't worry, I offered to help, my parents taught me well!). But we didn't even have to pay for this feast!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Pride In the Form of Stars and Stripes
I've never been a particularly patriotic person toward my country, the grand powerhouse of the world called The United States of America. By no means do I dislike my country, but I have always been one of the first to acknowledge its flaws, of which it has many. However, so far, while my year abroad has understandably made me much more worldly, interestingly enough, it has also caused me to form a deeper attachment to the country in which I was born, bred, and of which I hold coveted citizenship. Take yesterday for instance. I was with some friends, coming back from an outdoor market, and we were sitting on the minimetro (sort of like an above-ground subway system), and a random Italian lady started talking to us. Obviously she realized my two friends and I were speaking a different language, so she asked us where we were from. Both of the girls I was with are from Germany, and their response to her question gained nodding approval. When she asked me if I was also from Germany, I said no, I'm American. This answer resulted in a knowing glance from her as she said, "ah. americans. VERY patriotic, no?" Now. The tone of voice that she used to phrase this sentence sounded almost as if she were saying "ah. americans. TOO patriotic, no?" Like it was a bad thing to really love one's country. I said, well, I'm not super patriotic, but yes, I like my country, it really is "un bello paese." She just looked at me and arched her eyebrows... Sweet woman. My one friend then quickly told the woman in Italian that I was half Swiss, and the woman looked pacified. "Okay. So, you are a bit European then?" - Now. I didn't like this at all. Yeah I was half Swiss and half American, but what if I had just been 100% American? I mean, just because I was half Swiss, it didn't make me any more cultured than if I had been 100% American, and I have a feeling that that's what this lady was getting at.
I have to say, I really dislike when some Europeans almost look down on Americans. Take my winter break in Switzerland for instance. One night I met some guy from Wales, and was talking to him for a bit. I found out he studied for a year in New York, and I asked him how he found the States, since I was from there. He answered that it was "okay." Then after a brief hesitation he started to go off on the States, saying that I should be glad I'm half Swiss, because everyone in America is so ignorant, blah blah blah. After a while I was like, yeah, only I can diss my own country, buh-bye! I mean, hellooooooooo. If Europeans like him and this Italian lady on the train stereotype my ENTIRE country as being one specific thing (ignorant, uncultured, nationalistic, etc.), don't they realize they are being just as ignorant as they claim my countrymen to be? No one who is truly cultured would blackmark an entire country based on a few select individuals they've met or a few politicians they've heard of. There are good people, bad people, smart people, stupid people, kind people, mean people in every country.
And I for one, am proud to be half American. To quote from a novel that I'm reading at the moment called "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver, "The United States [...] [is] on the the existential cutting edge. It [is] is a country whose prosperity [is] without precedence, where virtually everyone [has] enough to eat; a country that [strives] for justice and [offers] up nearly every entertainment and sport, every religion, ethnicity, occupation, and political affiliation to be had, with a wild wealth of landscapes, of flora and fauna, and weather (pg. 50). [It is a place] that [calls] the shots and [pulls] the strings, that [makes] movies and [sells] Coca-Cola and [ships] Star Trek all the way to Java; the center of the action, a country that you [need] a relationship with even if that relationship [is hostile]; a country that [demands] if not acceptance at least rejection - anything but neglect. (pg 48).
I have to say, I really dislike when some Europeans almost look down on Americans. Take my winter break in Switzerland for instance. One night I met some guy from Wales, and was talking to him for a bit. I found out he studied for a year in New York, and I asked him how he found the States, since I was from there. He answered that it was "okay." Then after a brief hesitation he started to go off on the States, saying that I should be glad I'm half Swiss, because everyone in America is so ignorant, blah blah blah. After a while I was like, yeah, only I can diss my own country, buh-bye! I mean, hellooooooooo. If Europeans like him and this Italian lady on the train stereotype my ENTIRE country as being one specific thing (ignorant, uncultured, nationalistic, etc.), don't they realize they are being just as ignorant as they claim my countrymen to be? No one who is truly cultured would blackmark an entire country based on a few select individuals they've met or a few politicians they've heard of. There are good people, bad people, smart people, stupid people, kind people, mean people in every country.
And I for one, am proud to be half American. To quote from a novel that I'm reading at the moment called "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver, "The United States [...] [is] on the the existential cutting edge. It [is] is a country whose prosperity [is] without precedence, where virtually everyone [has] enough to eat; a country that [strives] for justice and [offers] up nearly every entertainment and sport, every religion, ethnicity, occupation, and political affiliation to be had, with a wild wealth of landscapes, of flora and fauna, and weather (pg. 50). [It is a place] that [calls] the shots and [pulls] the strings, that [makes] movies and [sells] Coca-Cola and [ships] Star Trek all the way to Java; the center of the action, a country that you [need] a relationship with even if that relationship [is hostile]; a country that [demands] if not acceptance at least rejection - anything but neglect. (pg 48).
Thursday, March 1, 2012
From Peru to Perugia... and Oh What A Change
Well. Here I am. It's been a nice, relaxing 3.5 months since returning from Lima, Peru and the experience of a lifetime that enveloped me there. Since then I've spent quality time with my family for the holidays, and now I've packed up and moved on to Perugia, Umbria, Italy.
For most Americans, and probably people in general, Perugia is synonymous with the Amanda Knox murder trial. Although I didn't think that such a highly publicized murder in my new city of residence would bother me much (since in big cities there's probably multiple murders daily - try Lima!), it actually sort of did. It doesn't help that when I first arrived, Perugia was victim of fierce winter weather (not supposed to happen in Italy) and everyone walked around with their heads down, looking suspiciously intent to be on their way, as the city's stony, medieval buildings coldly towered above all the aforementioned pedestrians. Not to mention that I've also been told that Knox's apartment is rumored to be quite close to mine. All of this did not help to influence my idea of Perugia.
I've been here a month now, and unlike the weather (which is now way sunnier THANK GOD), my feelings toward Perugia have not changed much. To be completely honest, the people here are weird, and I still get creepy vibes from them - specifically the men, who seem to abundantly inhabit this city. First off, men AND women here don't seem to be specifically warm and inviting, especially if you have difficulty speaking their language (that would be me). They're curt, and oftentimes even hostile if you take more than a couple minutes to try to get your point across, or understand theirs... obviously there are exceptions... but this is what I've noticed from the grand majority of people. I think coming from Lima, where Latinos are just so inviting and sweet, the Italian mentality is a very different thing for me to adjust to. In a way they kind of remind me of the "New Yorker" stereotype. Quick to be on their way, unlikely to talk much to tourists/foreigners, and stressed out most of the time. But, this is just one girl's opinion. It kind of pains me to say all of this, since I know that Mia Mamma, and pretty much all the rest of the world, have this great, big love of Italy and Italian culture, and here I am smack dab in the middle of it, and strangely, I'm missing American supermarkets that stay open 12 hours a day (instead of EVERY store here closing EVER DAY between the hours of 1 and 4 pm), being able to joke around with people in my own language, and not being scared to go outside of my apartment because I'm scared creepy guys will try to hit on me.
Which brings me to my next point. Common stereotype that all Italian men are hot? SO WRONG! 90% of them are short, stubby, hairy, smelly, and REALLY strange.... as in, they stare at you (if you're a woman) with such a rabid ferocity that you're afraid their gaze alone will be enough to land you on a silver platter with an apple in your mouth like suckling pig - First course? WOMAN! --- But I'm serious. I've talked to my friends here, and they all agree, so no, it's not just my own opinion... it seems to be a collective female opinion. Which is sad, because I was kind of expecting sweet, romantic types who would woo you like Romeo did to Juliet (after all, Shakespeare's play took place in Verona, Italy).
BUT! amongst all the strange, there is good. I really like my apartment here, it's so cute and comfortable... and I enjoy hosting weekly dinner parties here. That said, I've been teaching myself how to cook, and I'm actually pretty proud of some of the dishes I've made (veal scaloppine with sauteed zucchini, spaghetti with roasted and marinated mediterranean vegetables, minestrone soup). I'm also teaching myself to be self-sufficient, as in, cleaning/doing laundry/paying my landlady on time. So, if nothing else, like I told my parents, I'm learning how to become a real person. yay adulthood!
For most Americans, and probably people in general, Perugia is synonymous with the Amanda Knox murder trial. Although I didn't think that such a highly publicized murder in my new city of residence would bother me much (since in big cities there's probably multiple murders daily - try Lima!), it actually sort of did. It doesn't help that when I first arrived, Perugia was victim of fierce winter weather (not supposed to happen in Italy) and everyone walked around with their heads down, looking suspiciously intent to be on their way, as the city's stony, medieval buildings coldly towered above all the aforementioned pedestrians. Not to mention that I've also been told that Knox's apartment is rumored to be quite close to mine. All of this did not help to influence my idea of Perugia.
I've been here a month now, and unlike the weather (which is now way sunnier THANK GOD), my feelings toward Perugia have not changed much. To be completely honest, the people here are weird, and I still get creepy vibes from them - specifically the men, who seem to abundantly inhabit this city. First off, men AND women here don't seem to be specifically warm and inviting, especially if you have difficulty speaking their language (that would be me). They're curt, and oftentimes even hostile if you take more than a couple minutes to try to get your point across, or understand theirs... obviously there are exceptions... but this is what I've noticed from the grand majority of people. I think coming from Lima, where Latinos are just so inviting and sweet, the Italian mentality is a very different thing for me to adjust to. In a way they kind of remind me of the "New Yorker" stereotype. Quick to be on their way, unlikely to talk much to tourists/foreigners, and stressed out most of the time. But, this is just one girl's opinion. It kind of pains me to say all of this, since I know that Mia Mamma, and pretty much all the rest of the world, have this great, big love of Italy and Italian culture, and here I am smack dab in the middle of it, and strangely, I'm missing American supermarkets that stay open 12 hours a day (instead of EVERY store here closing EVER DAY between the hours of 1 and 4 pm), being able to joke around with people in my own language, and not being scared to go outside of my apartment because I'm scared creepy guys will try to hit on me.
Which brings me to my next point. Common stereotype that all Italian men are hot? SO WRONG! 90% of them are short, stubby, hairy, smelly, and REALLY strange.... as in, they stare at you (if you're a woman) with such a rabid ferocity that you're afraid their gaze alone will be enough to land you on a silver platter with an apple in your mouth like suckling pig - First course? WOMAN! --- But I'm serious. I've talked to my friends here, and they all agree, so no, it's not just my own opinion... it seems to be a collective female opinion. Which is sad, because I was kind of expecting sweet, romantic types who would woo you like Romeo did to Juliet (after all, Shakespeare's play took place in Verona, Italy).
BUT! amongst all the strange, there is good. I really like my apartment here, it's so cute and comfortable... and I enjoy hosting weekly dinner parties here. That said, I've been teaching myself how to cook, and I'm actually pretty proud of some of the dishes I've made (veal scaloppine with sauteed zucchini, spaghetti with roasted and marinated mediterranean vegetables, minestrone soup). I'm also teaching myself to be self-sufficient, as in, cleaning/doing laundry/paying my landlady on time. So, if nothing else, like I told my parents, I'm learning how to become a real person. yay adulthood!
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