In the Land of the Etruscans...Tuscany!

Welcome to Tuscany!

Although the Tuscan sun hid from us at times and was replaced by small rain showers, Tuscany did indeed prove to be just as beautiful as movies and novels portray it. Unlike Rome, Tuscany's most exciting past took place during medieval times. For me, this was a refreshing difference from the antiquity of Rome. Instead of Greek inspired statues and architecture, the notable churches, museums, homes, and other public places that we visited echoed Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

The Gothic era architecture desired to remind people of heaven and accomplished this by constantly drawing the eye upwards with either horizontal or vertical lines.

A little later down history's road, Renaissance era art and architecture focused more on the light of God within individuals, individuals who, working alongside of God's will, could control their fate.

Most of what I saw seemed to possess a certain charm that I have yet to find in America. Whether that is because Tuscany and Rome are new to me, or whether there is so much more history contained within the very essence of the land and buildings, I do not know. Most likely, it is a combination of the two. However, what is interesting is that I am finding the people who live in such places are completely different as well. Not only do they vary from Americans, but the people vary from one place (within Italy) from another. Enter residence and workers at the Castel del Trebbio. These down to earth Tuscans raise grapes and olives on their land to produce Italian specialties of extra virgin olive oil and Chianti wine. Their personalities echoed their livelihood and they treated the group of noisy Americans with kindness, humor, and respect. We reflected this attitude and behavior and in turn bought out most of the wine and olive oil in their shop.

Yet at the same time, perhaps I better understand why Romans focus on their personal beauty and the beauty of their city so much; As a city, they are lacking the beauty of nature. Meanwhile, as my mind reflected and sought to make connections, my mind's eye struggled to absorb all of the sights and information that I had seen in the other small Tuscan towns...

Sienna, home of St. Catherine of Sienna, Il Duomo of Siena, the oldest bank building, and the Civico Museo, is a wonderful place to begin a weekend exploration of Tuscany. The most interesting sight by far here was the view from the top of the Civico Museo, as well as the view within the Museum as well. Following closely behind this was the preserved head of St. Catherine of Siena that is housed in the Church of San Dominico.

San Donato, or Il Duomo di Arezzo, was just a starting point for the town of Arezzo. This church houses a terracotta image of Mary that has supposedly protected the area ever since the image survived a fire and transformed into vibrant colors. In fact, Arezzo was full of small surprises such as the house of Petrach and The Well of Tofano. The town itself also served as the setting for classic film "La Vita e' Bella".

Pienza and Orvieto were the smallest of the towns that we visited in Tuscany. Situated on hilltops, they were windy but had gorgeous views of Tuscan farmlands and distant towns. Il Duomo di Orvieto was even more breath taking with its shining mosaics and high ceilinged exterior. The towns each also possessed specialty stores selling cheese, marmalades, wine, and pottery. It was difficult to walk away without having experienced the local specialties and sites!

“Fai con comodo”…

...or "Take your time," I tell my homestay mother. Her reaction is one that I just can't help but smile at: "Madonna mia! Che cultura! What culture, what culture!" Even though she had been making fun of my accent when I speak Italian not but five minutes earlier, Mary appreciates the times when I do use what she has taught me. Although, I have probably taken more away from the idiom "Fai con comodo" than she realizes.

"Fai con comodo" (literal translation "[You,]Do it with comfort") truly is an idiom full of culture. In fact, taking one’s time is the culture. The Italian culture is not one that generally rushes around. Instead, as far as I have observed, the present moment is always first. That is, all that occurs now is what matters; not the past, not the future, but this moment right now. This allows the Italians to love and enjoy their food, family, friends, and all other aspects of their life today, just as they are, just as they may not be tomorrow. Their passion and zeal for life abounds.

This contrasts sharply with the mentality of most Americans. In America, we are constantly preoccupied by our future plans. We are always in a rush to grow up, to move away from our families, to graduate, to immediately obtain a job, to earn money for the future. Will I have enough money for my wedding? Will I be okay if I lose my job? What can I do with the money that I save for retirement? Etcetera.

There is no use for such thoughts. We have no certain control over our futures. Who can say that you will get married? Who can say that you will even get a job? Who can say that you will live long enough to enjoy your retirement funds? No one on Earth.

I am calling for a lifestyle change for myself. Rather, perhaps it is best to approach this slowly, to take my time. In this case, I am calling for a change in my frame of mind, my mentality. As I spend more and more time in Italy, my mind is opening. I will be absorbing this new approach to life: I will take my time. I will live this present moment to its fullest. I will be completely aware that it will soon be the past and that the next second, that which once was the future, will be gone too. It would be a waste to worry about the past and future. The opportunity that is before me—my life—is now.

After reading Michael Shapiro’s interview with Isabel Allende in A Sense of Place, I felt enlightened; someone else, another traveler, had experienced the same thoughts that I have had. Allende describes it in “At Home with the Spirits”:

There is no space between notes. Music is about silence also. Life is about pause. In India, in the cities, everything happens in an intense way and there is no respite: the noise, the crowd, the things that happen, the images, the color, the textures. One pattern on top of another pattern on top of another one. So there’s never a blank space. That was a shock, a wonderful shock, because it made me feel like a fly, totally unimportant, totally…who cares if your daughter died? You think that my daughter didn’t? Who cares if you’re in pain—do you think that we are not in pain? Life is pain. Life is about loss, life is about decadence, and this rotten cow in the middle of the street and the vultures eating the cow, that’s what life is about. And get up, come on, get a life. (125)

By worrying about the past and future, as Americans we restrain ourselves and do not experience intense emotions as they should be felt. Yet intense emotions, the moments of now, deserve time! They are what can unify humans, no matter the individual, the country, or the culture.all feel intense emotions. The high points, the low points, and the level ground should all feel intense. It’s happening now! Feel pain. Feel joy. Feel sorrow. Feel contentment. Feel nervous. Why hold back? No, in fact, do not even worry about the why, just live.

This of course, does not mean that I will throw all my former self into a nifty Italian dumpster. I will still hold onto the experiences that I have learned from, my morals, my aspirations, and my passions. It means that I will live this:

The Colosseum

I exited the overwhelming metro station on one of my first days in Rome, only to be greeted by the sight of the famous Colosseum. It's size and sudden appearance made this famous site all the power inspiring. I am still in awe that its arched architecture of concrete and marble has helped it to remain standing.

Ponza

Although the trip to this Mediterranean island was disorganized and stressful, none of it mattered; they were fleeting moments and the gorgeous natural beauties were a better focus.

Mia Famiglia

My Roman family (Mary, Kristin, Figlio [pictured], Lala, and Cucula) have all made me feel loved and very Roman. Our dinners together are usually the highlight of my day. We take our time during our four course meal. There is nothing I enjoy more than practicing my growing Italian vocabulary, sharing the details of my day, and hearing about everyone else's day.