Memory Monday - Rome, Italy

This time last year I acquired my first taste of Rome.  It was incredibly invigorating to be walking where chariots once raced by and where you consciously had to side-step around columns. The history of Rome is powerful and overwhelming.  I remember how scared we all were to go to our first big city in Italy.  My roommates and I were talking of muggings, keeping our passports inside our pants, and gypsies' tactics of stealing by pretending to drop a baby doll at your feet in order to steal your wallet.  I think someone even mentioned they use big sword like knives to slash the bottom of your backpack. Verging on the dramatic, we freaked ourselves out.  Looking back at it now it just makes me laugh.  Not only does it remind me of my naivety but also of how far I've come in just a year's time.  Those initial fears have propelled me to desire much more dangerous places.  This first Rome trip is special to me because although I knew I loved to travel, it showed me that I will never stop loving it nor loving the places and people it brings me to. I already posted a bigger post about this trip (when I was sticking to my original plan of blogging abroad) but that doesn't mean i can't revisit it, right?

Here are some of my most favorite pictures of Roma!

 Ciao,
xoxo

Memory Monday - Southern Tuscany, Italy

This past week marked a year from which I left the US to study in Orvieto, Italy.  I've realized that I'm starting to ask the question daily, "what was I doing on this day last year?"  It's a bittersweet feeling to remember such surreal things.  I'm starting to forget the street names, the sometimes strange Italian people I met there and the savory tastes of the delicious food.  I find myself even missing little things, such as carrying an outlet converter and carrying small bills and coins (no one accepts large bills from the ATM). In light of these things that need to be remembered and revisited, I'm going to start Memory Monday.  Since I didn't have many chances to blog when I was abroad, which is something I painfully regret because I wish I could reread my feelings and revelations as they were happening, posting about them might preserve some memories and bring about some new realizations.

This week's memory is Southern Tuscany, Italy.

This place is undoubtedly one of the most whimsical and picturesque places I've ever been. The panoramas couldn't help but make me feel like I was Frances from Under the Tuscan Sun searching for my own villa to remodel (in my dreams right?).  The  curvy drive from Orvieto to Montalcino was only about an hour and a half.  As you drive up the rollings hills and changing shades of green you can't help but snap five million and one pictures. There are ancient olive trees and wild flowers along each side of the road that seem to entice you to peer further towards the horizon. Our first arrival was the Sant' Antimo Abbey, a church just outside of Montalcino's walls.  Walking up to the church there was a serenity in the air that was almost deafening.  The silence was characteristic of it's dwellers, whom are mostly monks.  Since it was raining outside you could hear the squeaky footsteps as we entered the long rectangular church.  It's simplistic yet enormous crucifix standing at the front made me feel small and fragile surrounded by the marble floors and walls. I was hoping that we would catch a prayer service because it is customary of the monks to be singing their hymnals and prayers but unfortunately we missed it. I wish we could have stayed longer in the city itself but the afternoon rain shower was keeping us from exploring everything we wanted to. I would definitely love to visit again.

Some pictures from Montalcino and surrounding smaller towns:

A Natural Wonder of the World

I was so thankful that this last weekend was a long one, thank your Dr. Martin Luther! With the extra day off I made a quick trip up to Flagstaff and to my surprise the Grand Canyon! My co-pilot thankfully objected from any sneak peaks as we were driving up.  It was supposed to be taken in all at once, and for that I couldn't be more appreciative. The Grand Canyon is something more vast and beautiful than I can now or could then fully comprehend.  Stretching over its entirety of 277 miles is the almost fluorescent blue sky.  The contrast of the purple pink and red stained canyon to the cloudless sky was nothing short of a heavenly sight. No picture could fully capture or should capture the complexity of the canyon.  I noticed there was something serene happening as I was looking from behind the barred viewpoint.  It was relatively frigid and there were remnants of snow fall on the ground.  I saw no life other than the fellow visitors and large black birds. It's hard to believe that there are over 1500 plant, 355 bird, 89 mammal, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian and 17 fish species found in the park, as well as 4 Indian Reservations. Where were they all?  A somewhat strange encounter with such a life filled canyon only added to the mystery of it all.  Since the visit was an impromptu one every second looking below made me wish i had brought my tennis shoes! There is so much more to be explored hiking through the canyon, but hopefully none of the 47 reptiles. I now realize that after living in Arizona for most of my life yet never seeing the canyon has undoubtedly dubbed me worst Arizonan ever. Thankfully I no longer have to say that I've never seen the Canyon and turn my head in embarrassment. Next on the list is hiking to the ever talked about Havasupai Falls!

xoxo,
Kasondra

Learning the Italian ways ...

The program that I'm here with (Arizona in Italy) integrates us into Italian culture in ways that I would have never otherwise experienced.  We've seen small towns, had tours, gone to a cooking class and ceramic painting workshop.  This experience, for me, is not just about the things that I do here but what I can gain mentally about myself.  Being pushed out of my comfort zone has shown me that I can be uncomfortable and succeed.  I think in life we are drawn to comfort.  It was easy for me to drive the grocery store, to school, and down to Target.  Here everything takes more effort.  My first grocery store trip was a story.  Just imagine six girls each stuffing their small cart worth of items into their backpacks.  Apparently "bag" means BORSA in italian.  They take them seriously.  No plastic bags for free.  Same goes with water.  I had to remind myself that this isn't Arizona, water isn't free.  It's actually slightly expensive.  Americans are also considered to be loud in Italy.  We fluctuate our voice level from quiet to loud frequently.  Italians are constantly loud, thus Americans are loud because they are heard more.  The reasoning doesn't make much sense to me but i've come to feel embarrassed of my ethnocentric views.  My initial reaction is that we Americans don't do it this way.  Quite stereotypical but I assure you that'd be your reaction too after spending your whole life in the United States. We DO have it easier.   It's not that there is anything wrong with it, by any means, but the contrast is thought provoking.  I think that the instant gratification I am used to can hurt my experiences sometimes.  The simplicity of my daily life over here has taught me patience, something that just simply seing sights couldn't offer me.  

So many of the smaller towns amaze me.  "What could they possibly do here?"  I've always known that I am not a small city girl but it is beautiful to know that it can be done.  Much more self reflection is required in a small city girl.  Much more patience to go the grocery store that isn't open on Sundays, nor  from 1 to 4:30 and when it snows the hours are up to the owner.  The adjustment was hard at first but i'm coming to the realization that I almost fear going back to constant information exchange.  The history here in every town is so rich.  The buildings show the wearing from hundreds of years ago.  Clothes still hang out of the multi story high buildings.  The cobblestone streets show the weight of the   thousands of people who have walked to the Duomo and cafes.  That is something you don't get in Tucson.  Imagining the life that once inhabited Orvieto is almost enchanting.  I look forward to seeing more cities in Italy and other countries in Europe!

Here are some pics from the workshop & cooking class.