Prepare for Departure: The Italian Adventure Is Ending
Reflecting on Universal Lessons of Love, Diversity, Poverty, and Diplomacy
It is now less than a week until we seal our luggage, close our apartment doors for the last time, pile into taxis and head off to the airport to make the trip back home. Right now volcanic ash from Iceland is grounding many international flights so we shall see what happens. The emotions are mixed from people I have talked to. Some are terribly sad and want to stay. Others are leaving behind boyfriends and hopes of returning to Italy to live and work one day. Others are making last minute trips to see places they haven’t seen yet, while others are extending their stay for excursions to Spain or Greece. For me, I am leaving Italy grateful and reflective; I am looking inward, and looking ahead.
I wish I could say I met my Italian love, that we had a winter of romance and now will continue a long distance letter writing discourse until our burning hearts and desires reunite again in New York City or Italy. In my first blog in Italy, I wrote about the Piazza Michelangelo and how lovers have carved their names on the lookout over Florence and I wondered if I would do that too, join the other lovers with their vespas, pizza boxes, and kisses. Would the romantic and mysterious mist in the air strike me?
Insert laughter here, no such thing happened; maybe it is only for the movies. Maybe it wasn’t the right time, maybe I wasn’t ready, maybe I didn’t look or try hard enough, maybe looking was the problem, oh, a world of endless maybes. I think I am in love with the idea of romance and soul mates, of dreams and possibilities. Do we ever know what we are looking for when we set off for a journey, travel to a destination unknown? Are we searching for anything at all? The silver lining in all of this is looking back and recognizing all the other things we have learned when love wasn’t knocking at our door. For me, it was a confirmation that international relations was the field I should study and that seeking a worldly education is a process, and that even on sidewalks and streets, lessons can be learned.
“Look at how a country treats its minorities and that will tell you something of the country’s character.” I heard this quote a long time ago, and can’t place who said it, maybe it was a former president, a civil rights leader, or a human rights activist, what is important is that it spoke of a truth many countries are grappling with. Tourists, students, and Italians alike see the face of immigration every day. We see it in the eyes of the young man from Africa trying to make a living selling his imitation handbags and paintings. We see it in the Chinese restaurant struggling to compete with strict Italian business laws and guidelines and prosper. We see it in the poor beggars and ethnic gypsies that roam Italy’s streets and piazzas. Seeing these communities with my own eyes and learning about immigration in the Italian life and culture humanities class has given me new insight on the face of a modern and changing Italy. I have seen similar parallels between the experience and treatment of minorities and immigrants in Italy with those in the United States and at the same time vast differences. Italy is still in its early stages of grappling with the influx of immigrants to its shores and trying to find what is the best solution to move a country forward where not just Italians are calling Italy a new home. The point I am making is not a policy debate about immigration, but one of human dignity. What does it hurt us to give a coin or two to the woman begging? If they ask for your gelato, why not have a spoonful for you and give it to them, you can buy another. Instead of whipping past them with our coats and bags, why not look them in the eye when they talk to you and greet them, say good morning, why not.
Cultural diversity should be welcomed and celebrated not shunned and feared. We see news reports of Italian police raiding and shutting down Chinese textile factories. There is a fear and mistrust that is palpable, they are “the other”, the Italians say have damaged small family businesses. In a Chinese restaurant I see the Italian regulation in place, that foreign eateries must include some Italian food, the government has mandated this. Thus it was a new experience when I entered a Chinese eating establishment and ordered Cantonese rice and a slice of pizza. I recently ate a curry restaurant labeled Mediterranean Cuisine where lasagna and espresso are served alongside Indian milk tea and tandori chicken. I struck up a conversation with the waiter and learned he and the other staff comes from Pakistan. I have only read about Pakistan and heard about news and terrorist hideouts from Pakistan. Yet, here before me was the first Pakistani I have ever met, in Italy, communicating in neither of our mother tongues. Behind the headlines and exotic food, are a people with a rich history, and what a waste it would be to never get to know this. I want to go beyond the headlines and discover for myself.
If anything has been affirmed by coming to Italy it is the message “keep exploring.” I want to keep exploring the world: India, Africa, China, and Australia. The earth is so huge, how will I ever make it everywhere in a lifetime? Yet there is beauty in the shared humanity that binds us. No matter what language we speak, what color our skin is, what food we eat or what place we call home, we, the human race, all strive for a good life. Is that not what binds the middle class family in America to the farm workers in Mexico to the beggars and vendors in Italy, and even my own story, it is the struggle to escape poverty. The global family is indeed interdependent and interconnected.
I have also learned diplomatic skills and how to be a good ambassador by learning from the few who don’t show the best face of America. Being drunk in public is shunned here; it is not a bella figura or good impression. I remember walking home one night on St. Patrick’s Day, and a group of Americans were stumbling near the river, extremely loud, with their leprechaun hats on they were also playing sword fights with beer in the other hand. The look of people walking nearby was one of shock, they were appalled. A few days later an American student from another school was in the news for falling off a balcony and injuring himself after he was drinking. Alcohol abuse is a reality and problem here but where is it not? At the same time, I have learned just as we have perceptions and stereotypes of Italians they have perceptions of us. Sometimes, I have found, it is the rare moments of conversation where education takes place, where stereotypes are confirmed or dismissed.
My perspective is just one, it is an American perspective, limited, even bias, and I am aware of that. Others on this trip will have their own interpretation and have an entirely different and unique set of memories and experiences that have defined their time in the bel paese, or beautiful country we call Italy. The challenge I have to readers of this is go off and define your own perspective. Plan the trip you have always wanted to go on but find an excuse to not go. Spin the globe and see where your finger lands. Stepping out into the world and the unknown may be scary at first, but the rewards are great and memories are plentiful, and one day maybe shared over a glass of wine and a bowl of pasta.
To the readers of this blog: thank you for travelling with me, for taking time to view the slideshow of photos and read my thoughts. I hope you have enjoyed the journey and I look forward to the next one. Stay tuned for a video I am currently working on taking a look back at the trip through the eyes and voices of the students who experienced it. I will email a link when it is complete. Grazie mille e arrivederci!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Rene Moraida
Dr. Angela Oberer
Humanities 295
Italian Life and Culture
10 March 2010
Being Gay in Conservative Italy: Examining Italy’s LGBT History and Current Affairs
“I’m gay.” This simple, honest, and direct phrase was how television host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres came out to the world her 1997 primetime television show Ellen, announcing she was a lesbian, later to be followed by a front cover of People magazine. I remember my own coming out when I was about 17-years-old. My mother had read an email I left open to an online boyfriend I had. He lived in Michigan, I was in Texas, it was naïve, innocent, and my recognition and admission I was a homosexual. My mother sent me to a Roman Catholic priest to try to “cure me” and thus began my initial disdain and bitterness to a church that I had grown up in and went to school in throughout my adolescence. You can’t change who you are, who you were born, and living an open and honest life has been a mantra I try to follow. I was open about my sexuality while I was in the military and just a year ago was in the fight for LGBT marriage equality rights in California. Thus, coming to a country that plays host to the conservative Catholic Church and pope was intriguing and the GLBT struggle was an aspect of Italian society that greatly interests me. There are many stereotypes and preconceived notions about what it means to be gay and live in Italy, as well as many questions. Can gays marry in Italy? Where do gay people go for fun in Italy if it is so conservative? How much influence does the papacy have in Italian politics and does the Pope clash with gay rights groups? Is it safe to be out about your sexuality in Italy? By briefly examining homosexuality in Italy, one can see its presence dates as far back as the Roman Empire and up to present-day, the struggle for gay rights continues in a country celebrated throughout the world for its culture and history.
If one looks back to the Roman Empire, there is evidence that male homosexuality was a part of everyday life, widely practiced, and accepted. Richard Hoffman, a professor of history at San Francisco State University, offers a scholarly peer review on a book by Craig Williams titled Roman Homosexuality: Ideologies of Masculinity in Classical Antiquity, in which he explores sexuality in ancient Rome. “William contends that Roman tradition persistently accommodated and provided socially acceptable contexts for male homosexual activity. Furthermore, as part of this sexual tradition, a man’s image as a Roman male was unconnected with the gender if his partner” (Hoffman). Indeed an entire paper can be written alone on the complexities and examples of homosexuality in ancient Rome, it is clear though that it existed.
Present-day Italian gay politics are as complex, with conservative views from the Church in one direction, and gay rights groups demanding action from another direction. The Roman Catholic Church is headquartered in Vatican City near Rome, and church teaching and dogma has often not been welcoming to homosexuals or in support of GLBT causes. In 1998, there were clashes in Rome between Gay Pride events occurring at the same time as church Jubilee events. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, pointed out in a 1998 news release, that some Italians had taken to extreme measures to point out double-standards in the Church:
The recent murder of a closeted gay man who was also a "gentleman" of the Vatican called attention to the hypocrisy of the Church in condemning homosexuality and in campaigning against gay and lesbian equality in societies around the world. The situation was still more dramatically highlighted in January 1998 by the suicide of a gay man who burned himself to death in St. Peter's Square to protest officially sponsored intolerance. (“Italy: Rome Authorities”)
Earlier, in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI caused a stir when he publicly spoke out against same-sex marriage, at a time when gay marriage was gaining momentum in Spain. The Pope said gay marriage was as an example of an ''anarchic freedom which falsely tries to pass itself off as the true liberation of man” (Fisher). Thus, when it comes to social justice issues, there is little common ground between the papacy and gay rights groups. It can be argued that the Pope’s condemnation of gay hopes and aspirations, may legitimize discrimination in the eyes of Italy’s Catholics, and in some cases, Italians take it further.
While Italy is a relatively safe country for tourists, there has been documentation of violence against LGBT people. The United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor publishes an annual human rights report, taking a in-depth look at countries around the world and the government’s practices and respect for basic human rights. For Italy, the report concluded, “There were reports of societal discrimination based on sexual orientation. On September 15, an NGO reported that unknown persons painted swastikas and graffiti saying "gays in ovens" in a Rome neighborhood popular with gays. On July 7, a gay couple was insulted and beaten by a group of youths near Naples. On July 12, a court ordered the ministries of Transportation and Defense to pay 100,000 euros (approximately $140,000) in compensation for having requested the revocation of a person's driver's license based on his sexual orientation.” (“Human Rights”). The report however, did not find their was discrimination for people living with the HIV/AIDS virus.
The State Department report was filed in 2008, and while the incidents may appear isolated, a 2009 report by human rights organization Amnesty International, concluded that “homosexual attacks are on the rise in Italy” (“Amnesty International”) The report cited three separate attacks in Rome in August and September of 2009, among them a stabbing of a gay couple observed kissing and an arson attack on a night club. Amnesty International noted the Italian government and authorities should do more to stem anti-gay violence and behavior, saying:
Amnesty International calls on the Italian authorities to ensure that crimes targeting individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity are effectively investigated and that anyone reasonably identified as responsible to be brought to justice. The Italian authorities should also place greater emphasis on combating homophobic attitudes and ensuring greater security for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people. (“Amnesty International”)
While there are many external governments and international organizations that monitor human rights in Italy, the main gay rights organization in Italy is known as Arcigay. The organization has been a presence in Italy since 1985 and according to its website, maintains local offices in 41 provinces in Italy, including one in Florence, and its national headquarters in Bologna. The stated missions of Arcigay is “to combat homophobia, heterosexism, prejudice and anti-gay discrimination. It is committed to achieving equal status and equal opportunities among all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, and aims to reinforce a full, free and happy life for gay people” (Arcigay). Specifically, one initiative is working towards legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in Italy. Currently gay or same-sex marriage, as well as gay adoption, are not legal in Italy. One noteworthy and positive aspect of Arcigay’s work, is its colloboration and partnership with the Italian Health Ministry on HIV and AIDS education.
Threats of violence, a conservative government, and lack of social progress for gays, has not deterred GLBT travelers from visiting Italy in large numbers, not only to explore the historic sites, but to explore the gay life as well. Specifically in the city of Florence, the gay scene, while small in comparison to larger metropolitan cities, exists and is firmly established. Travel guides, websites, and a quick Google search will bring up lists of bars, discos, gay-owned or gay-friendly hotels, and even more seedy places like bath houses. Among the establishments include gay bars near Santa Croce called Piccolo Café and YAG bar, which is gay spelled backwards, as well as a famous dance club disco called Tabasco located near the Piazza del Signoria. Florence also hosts a yearly Queer Film Festival in November and December, that focuses on GLBT themes in cinema.
The gay historical and cultural side of Italy is long, complex, and ever changing. Italy is a mix of old and modern, not only in its architecture and fashion, but in its ways of thinking. Social attitudes and wider acceptance of LGBT people may improve in coming years. With alarming trends of increased violence against gay people, a conservative pope at the helm in the Vatican, it is clear that it will take grassroots efforts from groups like Arcigay and Amnesty International, to pressure Italy to change, or at the very least, to become more tolerant. Worldwide, the struggle for equal rights for gay people marches on, in America, in Africa, and even here, in modern Western Europe and the country of Italy. For a more in-depth look at gay history in Italy, laws and homophobia, and a list of gay tourist events, visit www.gayfriendlyitaly.com
Works Cited
“Arcigay in English” Arcigay Associazione Gay e Lesbica Italiana. 6 May 2006. Web. 9 Mar. 2010
“Homophobic Attacks on the Rise in Italy” Amnesty International. 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 9 Mar. 2010
Ian Fisher, (NYT). "World Briefing | Europe: Italy: Pope Condemns Gay Marriage As 'Anarchic'." New York Times 07 June 2005: 10. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 9 Mar. 2010.
“Italy: Rome Authorities Restrict Basic Liberties of Transsexuals, Bisexuals, Lesbians, And Gays” International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. 1 Mar. 1998. Web. 9 Mar. 2010.
Hoffman, Richard J. "Roman Homosexuality (Book)." Journal of the History of Sexuality 9.4 (2000): 535. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.
United States. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Washington: GPO, 2009. Print.
Dr. Angela Oberer
Humanities 295
Italian Life and Culture
10 March 2010
Being Gay in Conservative Italy: Examining Italy’s LGBT History and Current Affairs
“I’m gay.” This simple, honest, and direct phrase was how television host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres came out to the world her 1997 primetime television show Ellen, announcing she was a lesbian, later to be followed by a front cover of People magazine. I remember my own coming out when I was about 17-years-old. My mother had read an email I left open to an online boyfriend I had. He lived in Michigan, I was in Texas, it was naïve, innocent, and my recognition and admission I was a homosexual. My mother sent me to a Roman Catholic priest to try to “cure me” and thus began my initial disdain and bitterness to a church that I had grown up in and went to school in throughout my adolescence. You can’t change who you are, who you were born, and living an open and honest life has been a mantra I try to follow. I was open about my sexuality while I was in the military and just a year ago was in the fight for LGBT marriage equality rights in California. Thus, coming to a country that plays host to the conservative Catholic Church and pope was intriguing and the GLBT struggle was an aspect of Italian society that greatly interests me. There are many stereotypes and preconceived notions about what it means to be gay and live in Italy, as well as many questions. Can gays marry in Italy? Where do gay people go for fun in Italy if it is so conservative? How much influence does the papacy have in Italian politics and does the Pope clash with gay rights groups? Is it safe to be out about your sexuality in Italy? By briefly examining homosexuality in Italy, one can see its presence dates as far back as the Roman Empire and up to present-day, the struggle for gay rights continues in a country celebrated throughout the world for its culture and history.
If one looks back to the Roman Empire, there is evidence that male homosexuality was a part of everyday life, widely practiced, and accepted. Richard Hoffman, a professor of history at San Francisco State University, offers a scholarly peer review on a book by Craig Williams titled Roman Homosexuality: Ideologies of Masculinity in Classical Antiquity, in which he explores sexuality in ancient Rome. “William contends that Roman tradition persistently accommodated and provided socially acceptable contexts for male homosexual activity. Furthermore, as part of this sexual tradition, a man’s image as a Roman male was unconnected with the gender if his partner” (Hoffman). Indeed an entire paper can be written alone on the complexities and examples of homosexuality in ancient Rome, it is clear though that it existed.
Present-day Italian gay politics are as complex, with conservative views from the Church in one direction, and gay rights groups demanding action from another direction. The Roman Catholic Church is headquartered in Vatican City near Rome, and church teaching and dogma has often not been welcoming to homosexuals or in support of GLBT causes. In 1998, there were clashes in Rome between Gay Pride events occurring at the same time as church Jubilee events. The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, pointed out in a 1998 news release, that some Italians had taken to extreme measures to point out double-standards in the Church:
The recent murder of a closeted gay man who was also a "gentleman" of the Vatican called attention to the hypocrisy of the Church in condemning homosexuality and in campaigning against gay and lesbian equality in societies around the world. The situation was still more dramatically highlighted in January 1998 by the suicide of a gay man who burned himself to death in St. Peter's Square to protest officially sponsored intolerance. (“Italy: Rome Authorities”)
Earlier, in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI caused a stir when he publicly spoke out against same-sex marriage, at a time when gay marriage was gaining momentum in Spain. The Pope said gay marriage was as an example of an ''anarchic freedom which falsely tries to pass itself off as the true liberation of man” (Fisher). Thus, when it comes to social justice issues, there is little common ground between the papacy and gay rights groups. It can be argued that the Pope’s condemnation of gay hopes and aspirations, may legitimize discrimination in the eyes of Italy’s Catholics, and in some cases, Italians take it further.
While Italy is a relatively safe country for tourists, there has been documentation of violence against LGBT people. The United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor publishes an annual human rights report, taking a in-depth look at countries around the world and the government’s practices and respect for basic human rights. For Italy, the report concluded, “There were reports of societal discrimination based on sexual orientation. On September 15, an NGO reported that unknown persons painted swastikas and graffiti saying "gays in ovens" in a Rome neighborhood popular with gays. On July 7, a gay couple was insulted and beaten by a group of youths near Naples. On July 12, a court ordered the ministries of Transportation and Defense to pay 100,000 euros (approximately $140,000) in compensation for having requested the revocation of a person's driver's license based on his sexual orientation.” (“Human Rights”). The report however, did not find their was discrimination for people living with the HIV/AIDS virus.
The State Department report was filed in 2008, and while the incidents may appear isolated, a 2009 report by human rights organization Amnesty International, concluded that “homosexual attacks are on the rise in Italy” (“Amnesty International”) The report cited three separate attacks in Rome in August and September of 2009, among them a stabbing of a gay couple observed kissing and an arson attack on a night club. Amnesty International noted the Italian government and authorities should do more to stem anti-gay violence and behavior, saying:
Amnesty International calls on the Italian authorities to ensure that crimes targeting individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity are effectively investigated and that anyone reasonably identified as responsible to be brought to justice. The Italian authorities should also place greater emphasis on combating homophobic attitudes and ensuring greater security for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people. (“Amnesty International”)
While there are many external governments and international organizations that monitor human rights in Italy, the main gay rights organization in Italy is known as Arcigay. The organization has been a presence in Italy since 1985 and according to its website, maintains local offices in 41 provinces in Italy, including one in Florence, and its national headquarters in Bologna. The stated missions of Arcigay is “to combat homophobia, heterosexism, prejudice and anti-gay discrimination. It is committed to achieving equal status and equal opportunities among all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, and aims to reinforce a full, free and happy life for gay people” (Arcigay). Specifically, one initiative is working towards legal recognition of same-sex partnerships in Italy. Currently gay or same-sex marriage, as well as gay adoption, are not legal in Italy. One noteworthy and positive aspect of Arcigay’s work, is its colloboration and partnership with the Italian Health Ministry on HIV and AIDS education.
Threats of violence, a conservative government, and lack of social progress for gays, has not deterred GLBT travelers from visiting Italy in large numbers, not only to explore the historic sites, but to explore the gay life as well. Specifically in the city of Florence, the gay scene, while small in comparison to larger metropolitan cities, exists and is firmly established. Travel guides, websites, and a quick Google search will bring up lists of bars, discos, gay-owned or gay-friendly hotels, and even more seedy places like bath houses. Among the establishments include gay bars near Santa Croce called Piccolo Café and YAG bar, which is gay spelled backwards, as well as a famous dance club disco called Tabasco located near the Piazza del Signoria. Florence also hosts a yearly Queer Film Festival in November and December, that focuses on GLBT themes in cinema.
The gay historical and cultural side of Italy is long, complex, and ever changing. Italy is a mix of old and modern, not only in its architecture and fashion, but in its ways of thinking. Social attitudes and wider acceptance of LGBT people may improve in coming years. With alarming trends of increased violence against gay people, a conservative pope at the helm in the Vatican, it is clear that it will take grassroots efforts from groups like Arcigay and Amnesty International, to pressure Italy to change, or at the very least, to become more tolerant. Worldwide, the struggle for equal rights for gay people marches on, in America, in Africa, and even here, in modern Western Europe and the country of Italy. For a more in-depth look at gay history in Italy, laws and homophobia, and a list of gay tourist events, visit www.gayfriendlyitaly.com
Works Cited
“Arcigay in English” Arcigay Associazione Gay e Lesbica Italiana. 6 May 2006. Web. 9 Mar. 2010
“Homophobic Attacks on the Rise in Italy” Amnesty International. 3 Sept. 2009. Web. 9 Mar. 2010
Ian Fisher, (NYT). "World Briefing | Europe: Italy: Pope Condemns Gay Marriage As 'Anarchic'." New York Times 07 June 2005: 10. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 9 Mar. 2010.
“Italy: Rome Authorities Restrict Basic Liberties of Transsexuals, Bisexuals, Lesbians, And Gays” International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. 1 Mar. 1998. Web. 9 Mar. 2010.
Hoffman, Richard J. "Roman Homosexuality (Book)." Journal of the History of Sexuality 9.4 (2000): 535. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 10 Mar. 2010.
United States. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. Washington: GPO, 2009. Print.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Maybe One Really Can Find Happiness In a Bowl of Pasta
Travels: Arezzo, Siena, San Gimignano, and Lucca
By: Rene Moraida
Editor’s Note: Rene Moraida is a San Diego City College/Southwestern College student currently living in Florence, Italy as part of a Spring 2010 study abroad program.
Time marches on here in Italy like the rest of the world, yet winter shows no sign of surrender to spring. In fact, just a few days ago it snowed briefly in Florence, nothing staying on the ground, but a brutal cold wind whipping snow flurries in frenzy across the River Arno. My Italian teacher says it has never been this cold in March or snowed this late. She blames global climate change. I am just glad I am making use of all the scarves I bought at thrift stores back in San Diego. The giant chocolate Easter eggs appearing in store windows are a sign that hopefully Spring will come soon. Winter or spring, what doesn’t fluctuate and is always in supply? Pasta!
I know what you may be thinking; he just couldn’t get past the first paragraph without mentioning food. Be warned: food will appear a lot in this blog entry, I even have added several pictures from cooking lessons and pictures from food markets. I was hypothesizing with another student about how much weight we think we will have gained when the program ends, he guessed at least 8-10 lbs. I have tucked the scale away in the bathroom and say, “Well, we are walking a lot!” and “I went to the gym today!” I will cross that bridge later, in the meantime, I am getting really passionate and developing a fondness for Italian cuisine, well mainly pasta in all its shapes and possibilities.
There is something magical when the waiter brings out your steaming bowl of pasta. He gracefully floats by, delicately holding the white bowl, it is like the crescendo, the pinnacle, the high point, the anticipation is about to end. The pasta is in front of you, hot, steamy, and beautiful. Maybe I go too far, but there is something to the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. I have observed the elderly going on long walks, riding their bikes, there are no fast food places around or people in wheelchairs, I am sure they exist and this is just a generalization, but I think the ideas of moderation, good food and wine, and an active lifestyle are cornerstones of good health. We can learn many things from the Italians.
I have some conversational Italian lessons on my IPOD, visit www.learnitalianpod.com, to check it out if you are curious about learning Italian or are planning a trip soon. One podcast was dedicated to food, and there was a quote that said, “Happiness is a Bowl of Pasta.” Maybe, one really can find some measure of happiness in a bowl of pasta. There are just so many varieties and options, pesto, tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, seafood, my recent favorite is a pasta cooked with tuna that is marinated in olive oil, garlic, and red peppers. I have heard from several sources to not overcook the pasta into mush, a firm texture is best. When I return to the states I plan on making Italian cooking a weekly staple in my life, it is not a chore to cook food, like the Italians, food is art, it is beauty.
The program has been packed full of events: cooking lessons, wine tasting, pizza making, day trips, museum trips, today I finally went to the Academia and saw Michelangelo’s David and tonight I saw and heard Verdi’s La Triviata. It was intense, the soaring voices filled the tiny Church of St. Mark, piercing your heart, demanding your attention, as the voices fluctuated up and down. I have become an instant fan and plan to return to see La Boheme.
Escaping to surround towns and cities in Tuscany is easy by taking the Trenitalia regional trains, not expensive at all. My trip to Arezzo was great, looking at street upon street of antiques, antique chairs, dishes, military gear, religious items, I made the mistake of picking up a very old cross and it fell apart, my friend and I kept walking, he said it was a puzzle and was meant to break. Just tell yourself that the next time you break something, “oh, it was really a puzzle and was meant to break and be put back together.”
The trips to Siena and San Gimignano were a peaceful escape from the crowded streets of Florence. The fresh air, fresh snow, outdoor markets, and landscapes made the trip unforgettable. Lucca is a walled city that has banned most vehicles and cars from inside the city walls. The result is a clean, green, lush city with people enjoying a walk, jog, or bicycling.
I think when the group first arrived there was a tendency to want to lay low,adjust, explore Florence, others have gone as far as Munich already, but I think there is a collective realization that we only have 5-6 weeks left in the program and the time to explore is now. I am going to Rome this weekend and looking into going to Morocco, North Africa for Spring Break. I will share photos and memories of those journeys very soon, thank you for taking time to read the blog and look at the photos! Best to everyone…
Rene
Travels: Arezzo, Siena, San Gimignano, and Lucca
By: Rene Moraida
Editor’s Note: Rene Moraida is a San Diego City College/Southwestern College student currently living in Florence, Italy as part of a Spring 2010 study abroad program.
Time marches on here in Italy like the rest of the world, yet winter shows no sign of surrender to spring. In fact, just a few days ago it snowed briefly in Florence, nothing staying on the ground, but a brutal cold wind whipping snow flurries in frenzy across the River Arno. My Italian teacher says it has never been this cold in March or snowed this late. She blames global climate change. I am just glad I am making use of all the scarves I bought at thrift stores back in San Diego. The giant chocolate Easter eggs appearing in store windows are a sign that hopefully Spring will come soon. Winter or spring, what doesn’t fluctuate and is always in supply? Pasta!
I know what you may be thinking; he just couldn’t get past the first paragraph without mentioning food. Be warned: food will appear a lot in this blog entry, I even have added several pictures from cooking lessons and pictures from food markets. I was hypothesizing with another student about how much weight we think we will have gained when the program ends, he guessed at least 8-10 lbs. I have tucked the scale away in the bathroom and say, “Well, we are walking a lot!” and “I went to the gym today!” I will cross that bridge later, in the meantime, I am getting really passionate and developing a fondness for Italian cuisine, well mainly pasta in all its shapes and possibilities.
There is something magical when the waiter brings out your steaming bowl of pasta. He gracefully floats by, delicately holding the white bowl, it is like the crescendo, the pinnacle, the high point, the anticipation is about to end. The pasta is in front of you, hot, steamy, and beautiful. Maybe I go too far, but there is something to the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. I have observed the elderly going on long walks, riding their bikes, there are no fast food places around or people in wheelchairs, I am sure they exist and this is just a generalization, but I think the ideas of moderation, good food and wine, and an active lifestyle are cornerstones of good health. We can learn many things from the Italians.
I have some conversational Italian lessons on my IPOD, visit www.learnitalianpod.com, to check it out if you are curious about learning Italian or are planning a trip soon. One podcast was dedicated to food, and there was a quote that said, “Happiness is a Bowl of Pasta.” Maybe, one really can find some measure of happiness in a bowl of pasta. There are just so many varieties and options, pesto, tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, seafood, my recent favorite is a pasta cooked with tuna that is marinated in olive oil, garlic, and red peppers. I have heard from several sources to not overcook the pasta into mush, a firm texture is best. When I return to the states I plan on making Italian cooking a weekly staple in my life, it is not a chore to cook food, like the Italians, food is art, it is beauty.
The program has been packed full of events: cooking lessons, wine tasting, pizza making, day trips, museum trips, today I finally went to the Academia and saw Michelangelo’s David and tonight I saw and heard Verdi’s La Triviata. It was intense, the soaring voices filled the tiny Church of St. Mark, piercing your heart, demanding your attention, as the voices fluctuated up and down. I have become an instant fan and plan to return to see La Boheme.
Escaping to surround towns and cities in Tuscany is easy by taking the Trenitalia regional trains, not expensive at all. My trip to Arezzo was great, looking at street upon street of antiques, antique chairs, dishes, military gear, religious items, I made the mistake of picking up a very old cross and it fell apart, my friend and I kept walking, he said it was a puzzle and was meant to break. Just tell yourself that the next time you break something, “oh, it was really a puzzle and was meant to break and be put back together.”
The trips to Siena and San Gimignano were a peaceful escape from the crowded streets of Florence. The fresh air, fresh snow, outdoor markets, and landscapes made the trip unforgettable. Lucca is a walled city that has banned most vehicles and cars from inside the city walls. The result is a clean, green, lush city with people enjoying a walk, jog, or bicycling.
I think when the group first arrived there was a tendency to want to lay low,adjust, explore Florence, others have gone as far as Munich already, but I think there is a collective realization that we only have 5-6 weeks left in the program and the time to explore is now. I am going to Rome this weekend and looking into going to Morocco, North Africa for Spring Break. I will share photos and memories of those journeys very soon, thank you for taking time to read the blog and look at the photos! Best to everyone…
Rene
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Navigating a Medieval City and
Learning About Myself in the Process
By: Rene Moraida
Editor’s Note: Rene Moraida is a San Diego City College/Southwestern College student currently living in Florence, Italy as part of a Spring 2010 study abroad program.
It’s 6:30 a.m., and while most Florentines are still sleeping, I, with the help of my new Italian running shoes, have made the trek up to the Piazza Michelangelo. This open space sits on a hilltop and offers one of the best panoramic views of Florence. The city below looks perfectly placed like a miniature model. The Duomo is nestled among the red roof tops, perfectly sculpted, as the waters of the River Arno gush below with mighty force. The air is misty and there is a sense of romance and love in the air. Lovers names from all over the world have been carved and written onto the walls, Nico loves Ana one etching says. Another visitor has professed his love for the city of Florence and the date he was here. Just one night earlier, a small group of Italian teenagers were hanging out in the plaza, pizza box on the floor, Vespas parked, and laughing and kissing each other passionately. The sculpture replica of Michelangelo’s David looms over the plaza, like a guardian over the city. He is the color of the Statue of Liberty, and just as beautiful, his bronze turning an aqua green from exposure to the elements. I inhale the cool air and accept the city that will be home for the next couple of months.
As much as Florence has been visually stimulating, the palette has been awaken as well. Every street corner and shop window has food: panninis, gelato, pastries, pizza, pasta, mamma mia! To be quite honest, I have never had so much ham and bacon in my life. Chicken is scare, pork is plentiful.
I have done some travelling before and when I see the groups of Japanese tour groups my heart smiles as I remember the time I spent in Japan when I was in the military that sparked my interest to explore the world. I greet them in Japanese, they greet back with a slight bow, and I keep walking.
I didn’t think I would get culture shock in such a touristy city and in Western Europe. I was so wrong and it hit me brutally hard one night. I was physically exhausted, still trying to adjust to the time change and sleep schedule, and almost got hit by a bus. It was pouring rain and I was lost, utterly lost. I did not know what direction I was heading, what streets were called, everything was a chaotic blur. I had no will power to open the map and navigate, I didn’t know where my house was at and I wandered and wandered. I have since bounced back, poured my heart out to the on-site staff who said it was normal and would happen again.
I am learning to relish in what is different and unique about Florence. The fact that a coffee house is called a bar, and later in the evening does in fact transform from serving espresso to wine and beer. One morning walking to school I stopped for a coffee and the cutest older Italian lady was behind the counter. I ordered in Italian, upon referencing my notes, she smiled. I noticed Green Day was playing in the shop, and pointed up and said, musica americana she nodded and made a dancing motion. An Italian friend I made told me Italians like all things foreign. They love Obama, and Angelina Jolie, in addition to American pop and rock music. My Italian teacher always uses Obama and Jolie as examples in class. Being an American is not a bad thing either, for one the streets of Florence are crawling with American students and tourists, but mentioning where you are from brings goodwill. I mention I came from San Diego and they say molto caldo and molto bello or very hot and very beautiful. Some Italians I have met, shop owners, etc, have been to America before, others hope to go one day soon.
It is interesting to step outside your own little world bubble for awhile and see how other people view your country and how people live daily life in Italy. Everything different is good. I am walking more. I haven’t had fast food. I am hang drying my clothes and yes, drinking a glass of wine with dinner, regularly, for health reasons.
That is all from now from Italy, I must get back to my essay and get ready for school tomorrow. Thanks for reading and stopping by to check out the photos. Until next time from Italy. Ciao!
Rene
Learning About Myself in the Process
By: Rene Moraida
Editor’s Note: Rene Moraida is a San Diego City College/Southwestern College student currently living in Florence, Italy as part of a Spring 2010 study abroad program.
It’s 6:30 a.m., and while most Florentines are still sleeping, I, with the help of my new Italian running shoes, have made the trek up to the Piazza Michelangelo. This open space sits on a hilltop and offers one of the best panoramic views of Florence. The city below looks perfectly placed like a miniature model. The Duomo is nestled among the red roof tops, perfectly sculpted, as the waters of the River Arno gush below with mighty force. The air is misty and there is a sense of romance and love in the air. Lovers names from all over the world have been carved and written onto the walls, Nico loves Ana one etching says. Another visitor has professed his love for the city of Florence and the date he was here. Just one night earlier, a small group of Italian teenagers were hanging out in the plaza, pizza box on the floor, Vespas parked, and laughing and kissing each other passionately. The sculpture replica of Michelangelo’s David looms over the plaza, like a guardian over the city. He is the color of the Statue of Liberty, and just as beautiful, his bronze turning an aqua green from exposure to the elements. I inhale the cool air and accept the city that will be home for the next couple of months.
As much as Florence has been visually stimulating, the palette has been awaken as well. Every street corner and shop window has food: panninis, gelato, pastries, pizza, pasta, mamma mia! To be quite honest, I have never had so much ham and bacon in my life. Chicken is scare, pork is plentiful.
I have done some travelling before and when I see the groups of Japanese tour groups my heart smiles as I remember the time I spent in Japan when I was in the military that sparked my interest to explore the world. I greet them in Japanese, they greet back with a slight bow, and I keep walking.
I didn’t think I would get culture shock in such a touristy city and in Western Europe. I was so wrong and it hit me brutally hard one night. I was physically exhausted, still trying to adjust to the time change and sleep schedule, and almost got hit by a bus. It was pouring rain and I was lost, utterly lost. I did not know what direction I was heading, what streets were called, everything was a chaotic blur. I had no will power to open the map and navigate, I didn’t know where my house was at and I wandered and wandered. I have since bounced back, poured my heart out to the on-site staff who said it was normal and would happen again.
I am learning to relish in what is different and unique about Florence. The fact that a coffee house is called a bar, and later in the evening does in fact transform from serving espresso to wine and beer. One morning walking to school I stopped for a coffee and the cutest older Italian lady was behind the counter. I ordered in Italian, upon referencing my notes, she smiled. I noticed Green Day was playing in the shop, and pointed up and said, musica americana she nodded and made a dancing motion. An Italian friend I made told me Italians like all things foreign. They love Obama, and Angelina Jolie, in addition to American pop and rock music. My Italian teacher always uses Obama and Jolie as examples in class. Being an American is not a bad thing either, for one the streets of Florence are crawling with American students and tourists, but mentioning where you are from brings goodwill. I mention I came from San Diego and they say molto caldo and molto bello or very hot and very beautiful. Some Italians I have met, shop owners, etc, have been to America before, others hope to go one day soon.
It is interesting to step outside your own little world bubble for awhile and see how other people view your country and how people live daily life in Italy. Everything different is good. I am walking more. I haven’t had fast food. I am hang drying my clothes and yes, drinking a glass of wine with dinner, regularly, for health reasons.
That is all from now from Italy, I must get back to my essay and get ready for school tomorrow. Thanks for reading and stopping by to check out the photos. Until next time from Italy. Ciao!
Rene
Monday, January 25, 2010
Getting Ready to Go
Study Abroad Next Semester, But Plan Now
Oh yes, come with me to Italy this Spring!
By Rene Moraida, Contributor/ Travel Correspondent
San Diego City College/Southwestern College Student
I’ve moved out of my apartment, my car is in storage, my suitcases are packed, and in a few short weeks I will be on a plane and off to Italy. I’m a San Diego City College student and one of roughly 40 students participating in the Florence Spring 2010 program, hosted by Southwestern College and facilitated by the American Institute of Foreign Study. The program consists of students from several regional community colleges, all of whom are part of the San Diego and Imperial County Community Colleges Association or SDICCCA. The group leaves the United States in early February and spends the rest of the semester studying in Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, or so I’ve been told. If you’ve seen any pictures of Florence you know there is truth in those claims.
A little bit about me, I am simply a military veteran who was bitten by the travel bug when I got assigned to Japan for two years and later sailed across the Pacific Ocean and to Central Asia. I completed a five-year enlistment as a Navy journalist and have been a City College student throughout the 2009 academic year. Now I am seizing this opportunity to go abroad and study. Imagine, having art history class in front of Michelangelo’s David sculpture, reading Machiavelli’s The Prince in the city in which it takes place, or taking a weekend trip to Rome. Imagine practicing Italian over real Italian espresso, strolling through a piazza, or learning the art of Tuscan cooking. Don’t forget the abundant opportunities for travel in Italy and throughout Europe. Spring break in France anyone?
While this sounds like an exotic adventure into romantic Europe, and believe me, parts of it will be, program coordinators emphasize that this is an academic program and the academics are no joke. All students are required to enroll in a full load of 12 units, some classes have an honors option, and all but one class is UC/CSU transferable. This was a huge selling point for me, being able to go abroad and take courses I actually need, and that won’t delay those planning on transferring to a university in the future.
That said, deciding to pack up and go abroad will take some planning. A disclaimer, do your own research, really ask yourself where you want to go and why, and above all, use your local study abroad office as a primary source of information and guide.
I poured over several study abroad magazines, information pamphlets, websites, private companies, university programs, and what I found was that the community college study abroad option was significantly more affordable, in some cases by several thousands of dollars. For me, it also provided a smoother transition and face-to-face time with people who were instrumental in shaping this big step I am about to take.
Getting your finances in order to make the trip happen will require some effort and searching on your part. There is free money out there, apply for all and any scholarships that are available. One scholarship, the Benjamin Gilman scholarship, is administered by the Institute of International Education and sponsored the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Awards granted range from $3,000 - $5,000, and applicants must be U.S. citizens and receiving the Pell Grant at the time of application. For more information, visit www.iie.org/gilman.
I will be writing blogs about my experiences overseas, as well as sharing videos and photos. I invite you to follow my travels as you consider exploring your options. Maybe Barcelona, Spain or London, England will appeal to you, or maybe you want to wait until Buenos Aires, Argentina or Paris, France programs become available again. No matter what area of the world appeals to you, I invite you to explore it. Don’t hesitate or drag your feet. Make it happen and start planning now. Best of luck to all of you this semester and talk to you again from Italy. Ciao!
Oh yes, come with me to Italy this Spring!
By Rene Moraida, Contributor/ Travel Correspondent
San Diego City College/Southwestern College Student
I’ve moved out of my apartment, my car is in storage, my suitcases are packed, and in a few short weeks I will be on a plane and off to Italy. I’m a San Diego City College student and one of roughly 40 students participating in the Florence Spring 2010 program, hosted by Southwestern College and facilitated by the American Institute of Foreign Study. The program consists of students from several regional community colleges, all of whom are part of the San Diego and Imperial County Community Colleges Association or SDICCCA. The group leaves the United States in early February and spends the rest of the semester studying in Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, or so I’ve been told. If you’ve seen any pictures of Florence you know there is truth in those claims.
A little bit about me, I am simply a military veteran who was bitten by the travel bug when I got assigned to Japan for two years and later sailed across the Pacific Ocean and to Central Asia. I completed a five-year enlistment as a Navy journalist and have been a City College student throughout the 2009 academic year. Now I am seizing this opportunity to go abroad and study. Imagine, having art history class in front of Michelangelo’s David sculpture, reading Machiavelli’s The Prince in the city in which it takes place, or taking a weekend trip to Rome. Imagine practicing Italian over real Italian espresso, strolling through a piazza, or learning the art of Tuscan cooking. Don’t forget the abundant opportunities for travel in Italy and throughout Europe. Spring break in France anyone?
While this sounds like an exotic adventure into romantic Europe, and believe me, parts of it will be, program coordinators emphasize that this is an academic program and the academics are no joke. All students are required to enroll in a full load of 12 units, some classes have an honors option, and all but one class is UC/CSU transferable. This was a huge selling point for me, being able to go abroad and take courses I actually need, and that won’t delay those planning on transferring to a university in the future.
That said, deciding to pack up and go abroad will take some planning. A disclaimer, do your own research, really ask yourself where you want to go and why, and above all, use your local study abroad office as a primary source of information and guide.
I poured over several study abroad magazines, information pamphlets, websites, private companies, university programs, and what I found was that the community college study abroad option was significantly more affordable, in some cases by several thousands of dollars. For me, it also provided a smoother transition and face-to-face time with people who were instrumental in shaping this big step I am about to take.
Getting your finances in order to make the trip happen will require some effort and searching on your part. There is free money out there, apply for all and any scholarships that are available. One scholarship, the Benjamin Gilman scholarship, is administered by the Institute of International Education and sponsored the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Awards granted range from $3,000 - $5,000, and applicants must be U.S. citizens and receiving the Pell Grant at the time of application. For more information, visit www.iie.org/gilman.
I will be writing blogs about my experiences overseas, as well as sharing videos and photos. I invite you to follow my travels as you consider exploring your options. Maybe Barcelona, Spain or London, England will appeal to you, or maybe you want to wait until Buenos Aires, Argentina or Paris, France programs become available again. No matter what area of the world appeals to you, I invite you to explore it. Don’t hesitate or drag your feet. Make it happen and start planning now. Best of luck to all of you this semester and talk to you again from Italy. Ciao!
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