I think it`s about time that I post a short reflection on my time in Italy. I’m doing this mostly for myself, to remember the things that affected me the most during the trip and that had the biggest influence on my original perception of this country, its regions and its people. I have spent three months there, but I found it quite hard to keep up with writing down any of my observations, for the simple reason that I felt so at home there. It feels wierd to write about `home`. I found the people to be wonderful, and thanks to them I learned so much about the country itself. During my study I visited some beautiful regions which I would recommend to all and received the opportunity to first-hand compare the north and the south, from the perspective of people, culture, language and, best of all, food. Ummm.. food... how much I loved the food there. It`s incredible how much variety of ingredients you can put on a pizza or mix with a pasta. Overall, although I returned home with some extra pounds, it was worth every bite.
Living in Bologna, a home to the oldest University in Europe and an incredibly large student population, you have access to almost anything with a mere few-hour train ride. Located almost at the Adriatic sea, approximately 4-hours train ride to the mountains, 2-hours to Rome and even closer to cities like Verona, Venice or Mantova - Bologna was a perfect home base.
Here`s a short breakdown:
In the northern region of Italy, interestingly, each town offers a unique architecture to its inhabitants and visitors;
Bologna; miles of stretching arcades that can protect you from the rain on your way to school,
Ravenna; the home of Dante’s tomb (most important figure in Italian literature) with a more simple looking yet still authentic window structures. It is also situated right at the sea. I love the sea!
Verona; you can find the home of Romeo’s Julliet, has the pretties collection of flowery balconies
Mantova; a UNESCO heritage site, offers a palace and castle for display that almost shocks at first entrance into the city
Florence; regarded by many as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, does not need a second introduction
In the south... you find a completely different architecture, language and way of life.
Catania; with Volcanoe Etna in its background provides a mix of Greek, Roman and even Norman influence scattered in its streets. When visiting a famous local pisceria, you will hear the unqiue Catanian dialect as men try to sell the fresh fish of the day.
Paterno; just outside of Catania is surrounded by farms of orange and lemon trees just a ride away
Toarmina; north of Catania, is an enchanting town situated in hills of Sicily that fall into the Ionian Sea (just south of Adriatic), with the small Isola Bella, where many gather for a swim during the warmer moths (warmer months – meaning most of the year!)
Then you have the region of Puglia in the ‘heal’ of Italy, which further offers its own dialects, and many, many wonderful people.
Polignano A Mare; will always be my most well remembered city, and I would recommend for anyone to at least once take the chance to stop by to see the breathtaking cliffs and caves the town offers.
Ostuni; situated elevated about 10 km from the coast offers an amazing view on the Adriatic Sea and fields of protected oil tree cultivation.
Alberobello; also a UNESCO protected town, has some of the most interesting structures that have been sustained for many years.
I provide you with a general map to help you associate..
So... overall these are the regions and cities I had the opportunity to visit. Each one with its own, and very unique.. well.. everything. My biggest recommendations lead toward the south, and do not neglect the small towns these regions have to offer.
Overall, it seems that Italy represents a sense of ‘organized chaos’ with so many people and so much history and difference in traditions between the smallest regions. After all Italy has approximately 60 Million people and its land mass is smaller than the size of Poland, Poland has approximately 40 Million people, which is approximately same amount as Canada...
My personal experiences showed me, that everyone who I met was clearly proud of their roots and what’s best of all, they were happy to teach you about their `home`... and it’s those lessons that I know I will never forget.
Io sono contenta, che io ho potuto passare qualche mesi in Italian. Io credo che io ho ricevuto opportunità a veramente imparare e capire la cultura Italiana. Mi molto piacie tutti personni Italiani e l'altri amici che io ho incontrato mentre la tempo. Io voglio ringraziarvi tutti, particolarmente quelli gente chi hanno prenduto il tempo per me insegnare con molto pazienza.
(If any Italian-speaker reads this don`t laugh, I only have my A1- Certificate in Italian. Thanks.)
Non dimenticare... Si Vive Una Volta Sola.....
Bologna, my home, Emiglia-Romagna
Ravenna, Emiglia-Romagna
Verona, Veneto
Mantova, Lombardy
Firenze, Toscana
Catania, Sicily
Pisceria - Catania, Sicily
Mount Etna, Sicily
Orange Tree and Lime Farm - Outside of Paterno, Sicily
Isola Bella, Toarmina, Sicily
Polignano a Mare, Puglia
Ostuni, Puglia (view)
Alberobello, Puglia
Although I was ufortunetly not able to make it, a demonstration took place yesterday in Brussels that gathered between 20-30,000 people. It was initiated through Facebook, by students, to put pressure on the fighting political groups to form a coalition, as the country has been without a government for several months. Wish I was there to check it out.
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