It’s about 10am here in Italy and I’m writing this blog post
outside on the terrazza. I’m sitting in
what seems to be complete silence in the town- although I know that’s not true
because there are people walking around the city of Lecce at all hours in the
summer (similar to NYC). As I’m writing
this post I am hearing all of the words I am typing in Italian. I’m pretty sure that the only word to
describe what’s going on in my head right now is immersion. I’ve been
immersed in the culture by the language, food, people, environment, and friends
I’ve met.
For the past week here in Lecce (which ZOOMED by), my brain
has been constantly working to translate what I am hearing and what I am
saying. It is so difficult. Although I still have much more progress to
make, I have reached a new level of speaking/understanding Italian that I feel very proud
of. I’ve been fortunate to spend
everyday this past week with the coolest and nicest people who are so patient
and helpful in me learning. My brain
actually hurts from translating all day long- but I see the progress and it is
the coolest thing ever to witness myself adapting to the culture and beginning
to have genuine conversations with friends I have met. Also, I cannot get the PIZZICA Tarantella song
out of my head!!! We’ve been hearing it nonstop in Lecce, so my brain is pretty
much a mush of Italian words and Pizzica music all day long. Needless to say,
the silence this morning is refreshing and necessary for me. Watch this youtube video for a taste of the
music that we are hearing all day long (WARNING: after listening to this, you
might not ever be able to get it out of your head.)
Another part of immersion in a culture is reflecting on the
way of life that exists. I’ve been
reflecting a lot about the differences between American/Italian culture. Each of these differences has pros and
cons. For example, efficiency. Yesterday, Lisa and I had the incredible opportunity to
visit the most southern tip of Italy, called Santa Maria di Leuca. We went on an excursion to see the caves
(grotte) of this area of the Adriatic.
The water was clear and a beautiful bluish green color..spectacular. Anyways, we arrived at our destination and had
to find our way to the beach. It took us
an hour. Mainly because the directions we
got from people and the signs we tried to read were inaccurate. Also, the boardwalk to the beach is the most
ridiculous layout ever that looks like a huge snake. We couldn’t help laughing hysterically as we
walked along this winding boardwalk that we labeled, “Italian style boardwalk”. In America, obviously the boardwalk would
have gone directly to the beach in a straight line..(makes sense). So, there are differences that exist in
efficiency and functionality that cannot be denied.
On a deeper level, there is a huge difference in the
cultural value of family here. We had a
really long conversation yesterday with our friend Dario who took us on our day
trip to Santa Maria di Leuca. We had
this conversation over some Italian beers alongside the Adriatic (NOT A BAD WAY
TO HAVE A BEER!) We talked about the
importance of spending time with family, and the value of family that exists in
Italy. The most profound thing that was
said during this conversation was by Dario.
We were talking about how in America it is not as common for families to
have dinner together every night. We
talked about how different the concept of “eating” is for Americans. Dario said that while he lived in NYC he
noticed how so many Americans said “let’s eat food, let’s get food, I ate food…etc”. Dario said- “in Italy, we do not use the word food (cibi) to describe what we are eating.
Dogs eat food. We have dinner.”
In Italy and in many other cultures, you do not eat
alone. You are not just eating food, but you are enjoying meals. Your meals are shared with other people
and they are savored. We talked about
the culture in America of eating what’s FAST and EASY. Frozen food. Take out food. Whatever we have
time for. Dario said that eating frozen
food from a box is disgusting to Italians- “what
is different about the box and what’s inside the box? It is all processed…you
might as well just eat the box too”.
Of course I thought this perspective was
hysterical- but it also is very true.
I can’t help but thinking how different our culture would be
if we valued eating meals together with friends and family more. If we took the time to make real food, and
spend time with each other every day/night around the table. There’s been so much research and articles
about the importance of eating dinner every night with family. Yet, we still don’t do it….because, we can’t make
time? I don’t know…it's easier said than done of course..but it's an interesting
thought.
When you travel outside your comfort zone (whether it’s not
knowing the language, places, or culture), you develop a deeper appreciation
for your own culture. You form a
perspective from what you are able to compare and contrast with your own way of
life. I know there is no utopian
society, but I think it’s important to learn from the positives of each
culture. I’ll take back with me these
cultural values of Italy that never fail to inspire and awe me. I know they will continue to better my life
as they always have. Very grateful for it.
These pictures/videos below are of our trip to Santa Maria di Leuca and our excursion in the Adriatic to see the Grotte. Enjoy!
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