What A Beautiful Life

We have come to the end of week 4 and I am already about to start packing for week 5! Our first month in Italy has flown by just like I knew it would. I never knew my life could be so exciting and brand new everyday!
Our past week's adventures included visiting the city of Civita di Bagnoreggio. Civita di Bagnoreggio is an old city that is withering away due to the rocks eroding. Now, this city rested on top of a very large hill that had a long inclined pathway that led to the city. Since, I am a fashion major, I insisted on wearing my new boots that I bought in Albano. Let's just say that was not the smartest idea, however, I did get a good work out :) The city was extremely unique and had so many great views; perfect for taking pictures. There was also an underground tunnel that led to the other side of the city! It was pretty neat!

The City of Civita di Bagnoreggio

The next city we visited that day was Orvieto. Here we witnessed a very beautiful church called Duomo di Orvieto. The church was designed in Gothic style. We learned in class this week that the Gothic style is known for its pointy edges and beautiful frescoes. For lunch I ate gnocchi; it has become one of my favorite meals here!

Duomo di Orvieto

On Thursday, we went to Deruta. Deruta is known for its hand painted pottery. I was extremely excited to go here because the only thing my mom asked me to bring her back was hand painted pottery that was made in Italy. So, it was perfect! Not only did we get to browse the shops, but we got a tour of the the factory where all the production takes place. We saw everything from the clay being molded to the ladies hand painting the pieces.

Pottery sculptor at work!

After Deruta, we went to Assisi. In Assisi we went to the Church of St. Francis. We had a tour guide, Father Noel, lead us all around the church! It was great, he taught us all about the life of St. Francis and how he helped others. Father Noel led us at one point to see the original habit (robe) that St. Francis had worn. It was pretty cool because we could see that the design of the habit had not changed much from the one Father Noel was wearing that day. So, this proves that the fashion of friars has not changed too much over the years. Father Noel told us that their habits were fit for comfort and warmth. Back in the day they also used them as blankets.

At the Church of St. Francis

Today, I spent the day in Rome with Danni, Audrey, Elizabeth, and Sarah Beth! We are really starting to get good at figuring out the transportation systems here. However, the metro was closed for the first time in Rome so we had to put our walking shoes on! I love going to Rome because of the shopping and people watching. Since I am a fashion major it is a perfect environment for me. We mostly window shopped because Prada and Fendi were just a little too much out of my price range, but we still had fun! It is really cool shopping at a lot of the stores we learned about in our classes back in Auburn; such as Zara and Mango. The clothing there is really fashionable and reasonably affordable! I think the fashion in Rome is much more daring and bold then back in the States. I feel like Italians are more willing to try new trends! I find myself buying things here that I would not normally buy in the United States . Italian fashion is teaching me how to be more bold with my style and I am loving every minute of it; as well as every new addition to my closet! :)

Well I am off to pack for another wonderful trip! We're off to Tuscany and Cinque Terre this week! Arriverderci!

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I'm In A Hurry...

Well, it has been quite a busy week for us here in the beautiful Italy. On Tuesday, we went to Ostia Antica and Cerveteri to visit some ancient Roman and Etruscan ruins. Then, on Thursday, we went to Montecassino and Pompeii. Montecassino is the home of the Abbey in which Saint Benedict started his order. It is also the location of the original Benedictine monks. The Abbey was destroyed in World War II, but rebuilt “as it was, where it was”.

View of Montecassino from the Abbey.


We then drove to the city of Pompeii which was covered in volcanic ash in 79 A.D. due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Pompeii is one of the coolest places we’ve been. Life was pretty much frozen as it was when the volcano erupted. People fled the city to survive and those who didn’t get out in time either died from the gases of the volcano or were crushed by collapsing buildings.


Pompeii


After Pompeii, we headed to Positano which was one of our optional trips. I was very excited to be in the sun on the Mediterranean for a weekend. The view of the coast is absolutely breathtaking.


A group of us at sunset im Positano.


Positano from our paddle boat!


We’ve been told over and over again that Italians live their lives differently than Americans do; they do everything much more slowl. For example, eating is an activity that could last as long as two hours in Italy. And if you are out to eat, you shouldn’t expect the food to be rushed out to you as it is in America. Once you sit down at a table to eat, that table is yours for the night in Italy, whereas in the states, you are being rushed to finish dinner so that the restaurant can seat the next guests in order to maximize profit. Also, in Italy, the bill will not be brought to you when you are finished eating until you ask for it. As a Human Development and Family Studies major, I can’t help but to observe these types of differences in lifestyles with a very curious eye.

In Positano, the slow, laid-back life of Italians was very obvious to me. On Friday, we spent a very relaxing day on the beach of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. That night, we went to eat dinner at a little restaurant overlooking the sea. A group of eight of us sat for almost two hours enjoying dinner and each others’ company. Being used to eating, paying, and leaving, I sometimes find myself anxious to get up and move to the next activity. It wasn't until Positano that I realized how routinely I rush through things in life. I had to continue to remind myself to calm down, slow down, and enjoy every moment. Stepping back and taking time to observe things with an open heart and an open mind is a beautiful thing that I don't think a lot of Americans do because we so use to the fast-paced way of American life. Although it has been difficult to get in the mind set of Italians and live life slowly, it is so worth it when you do. Learning to take in every moment without rushing through anything is a skill I know I can apply to the rest of my life, and honestly wish I had been doing this up until now. So far, along with many other things, Italy has taught me to slow down my pace and soak up the beauty that's all around me.

I know it's corny, but I'm the type of girl that can link a song to every occasion. So, as I was writing this blog, the song by Alabama called "I'm in a Hurry" came to mind. To wrap it up, I'll leave you with a few of the lyrics.

"I'm in a hurry to get things done,
Oh I rush and rush until life's no fun,
All I really gotta do is live and die,
But, I'm in a hurry and don't know why"-Alabama

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A once in a lifetime experience

I can’t believe that we are in our third week in Italy! We have seen so much already, but as a Catholic, the highlight for me was seeing the Pope. I am a confirmed Catholic and attended Catholic school since first grade. Many Catholics will never get a chance to see the Pope, but I saw him at age twenty-one. It was unreal. I hope I get to attend a Mass said by him while I am studying in Italy.

A group of us got up early on Sunday in order to go to Castelgandolfo, the home of the Pope’s summer palace. We were first in line! After three hours of waiting and pushy people we finally got to enter into the courtyard and raced to be in the front row. We all thought that he would be saying Mass but we were wrong. He said prayers in several different languages from his balcony. Pope Benedict also waved at us! It was his last day in Castelgandolfo before he returned to Rome. I am glad we had the opportunity to see him while living so close. I have been in such a good mood since Sunday after seeing the Pope. It was truly an amazing experience, and I can not stop thinking about it.


Pope Benedict

Last week we visited Rome. Wednesday, Cinzia and Dr. B were guiding us around since it was our first time. I think we all got acquainted pretty quickly. We definitely looked like tourists with our maps and cameras.. We visited many beautiful places including the Pantheon, many Piazzas, and the Santa Maria del Popolo Church. On Thursday we were left to venture into Rome on our own. We made it! We then began on our ancient Rome scavenger hunt. We had found the answers to most of the questions already but just had to go hunt down photographs. A few girls and I started at the Coliseum which was breathtaking. I had seen pictures and learned of it many times but it was different actually standing in it. It all became real almost. I was standing in a place where many lost their lives, where slaves were forced to fight each other and other animals. One thing I learned about the Coliseum is that parts of it were removed because they needed new building materials, not that it had worn away. We then proceeded to the Roman Forum which used to be the center of civilization for Rome; people gathered here for justice and faith. It was also amazing because there were many monuments and statues that were built to honor people that were still standing after thousands of years. We also visited the Capitoline Museum which was beautiful. It has many great works of art in it from ancient Rome. They had some descriptions in English but only for the bigger things. After all this we were so hungry and really just wanted some American food so we headed to Hard Rock Café and all got burgers!


A group of us at the Colliseum

As a fashion major I am always looking at clothing - what people are wearing, patterns, as well as all things that may inspire me. It is amazing how many pictures I take to use for patterns, inspiration, and story boards. I even found inspiration in the Pope’s guards uniforms. I am constantly seeing patterns in mosaics and windows that I can easily take into Adobe Illustrator and live trace them to make a pattern for clothing. Italia has forced me to sketch and design garments outside of my comfort zone. In a few weeks we get to catalog the Palace’s costume collection and I am beyond excited!

Fashion is so different here. In Ariccia, it is more laid back; people are not dressed in t-shirts or running shorts but dress for the day no matter if they’re only running errands. We (American students) can easily be spotted in Ariccia because we wear shorts and show off more leg, unlike Italian women. We went to the Porchetta Festival and were probably the most dressed up. since arriving in Italy. The biggest differences I noticed were in Rome. Kristen and I went shopping after the rest of the group left on Wednesday and clothing is much more fashion forward. I love it! They are not afraid to take risks here. I wanted to buy so much because I know I could never find anything like it in the States. Although there are cobblestone streets, the women still wear heels almost every day even to take their kids to the playground. The men are very dapper looking and dressed in tailored suits. All clothes fit their bodies so well. This is not seen very often in the United States. I truly love the fashion here more than I though I would and can not wait for Milan and to catalog the costume collection.

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Savoring the Moment During our Roman Holiday

I have never seen Ariccia more beautiful than when I returned on a local bus from Rome to the Chigi Palace last night. Continuing our modern grand tour of Italy, this week we made our first trip into Rome. After studying Roman history, architecture, and engineering for the past week, I was excited to visit many of the ancient Roman sites including the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, and the Capitoline Hill. But in order to experience these sites, we first needed to learn how to reach Rome using the local transportation, as well as how to use our maps to find our way from place to place in Rome. Fortunately, on Tuesday in class we learned the basics of Rome’s metropolitan and regional trains and busses. Wednesday was our chance to travel to Rome and with the help of Dr. Bradbard and Cinzia get our bearings. Thursday was the first test of our newly acquired skills as we used what we had learned to complete our Ancient Rome Scavenger Hunt assignment. I do not consider myself someone with a strong natural sense of direction or aptitude for reading maps so imagine my surprise when I realized that Rome is not a difficult city to navigate. I realized that I have grown in that I now feel more confident in my ability to navigate through new and different places.


Emily checks her map as she leads the group through Rome.

As a human scientist, more specifically a marriage and family therapist, I have always had a deep desire to understand how people grow and change throughout the course of their relationships and lives. As I began thinking about the meaning of my experiences over the past two weeks in Italy, I experienced several small revelations concerning human development and relationships in the context of this once in a lifetime experience.
One such revelation occurred as we learned about cultural differences between Italians and Americans during our classes on Italian etiquette and customs. Italians are famous for their love of life and the importance they place on relationships with family members and close friends. We learned in class about the importance of these values and customs, then experienced them for ourselves this past weekend in Rome when we took the time to savor our caffe and one another’s company at Antico Caffe Greco, a favorite haunt for famous writers including Byron and Keats who visited on the Grand Tour.


Making the classic Grand Tour stop at Antico Caffe Greco

Another night, we dined for over three hours at a delicious vegetarian restaurant located on Via Margutta, a picturesque ivy and art filled street made popular by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday. For dinner, we selected menus including an antipastio, a pasta first course, a vegetable second course, gelato for dessert, and finally a caffé macchiato to wash it all down. As we ate this dinner fit for a king, we practiced our newly acquired Italian dining etiquette tips. For starters, this means speaking at a much lower volume than one usually does at an Auburn football game. Additionally, diners begin eating when their food is served to them and hot instead of following the American custom of waiting until everyone has their food or the host begins eating. Bread is placed on the table beside your plate as you eat, and it is considered good manners to rest your forearms on the table when you are not eating instead of in your lap. While the food was delicious, the “most Italian” part of the night was enjoying conversation with one another without feeling the need to rush onto the next item on our “to-do” lists. The lesson that it is worthwhile to slow down every now and then and live in the moment is something that the Italians seem to make time for in their daily lives. As I think about the therapy clients I have worked with over the past two years, I wonder how profound of an impact taking the time to savor the moment might have on their lives. I also wonder how I would be changed by more regularly taking time to enjoy the company of the people that I love. These ponderings help me realize how I want to focus my time in Italy: soaking up as many cultural experiences as possible.


It doesn't get any better than delicious food, local wine, and great conversation!

The focus on taking time for the relationships that matter seems highlighted in Italy where you become keenly aware that your life is not a dress rehearsal. I feel so incredibly lucky to be living in the Chigi Palace, studying from professors who are experts in their respective fields, and visiting places that have been historically, artistically, or religiously important for at least centuries . Because I have been given the opportunity to be here, I feel that it is my responsibility to take advantage of everything this experience has to offer including shifting my focus to the more Italian mindset of enjoying every moment and cherishing relationships. When the Cotral bus stopped outside in Ariccia last night, I was overwhelmed with excitement about this experience and lingered outside for a few minutes savoring the moment before heading inside to my new home, the Chigi Palace.

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Siamo Famiglia “We Are Family”

It’s hard to believe we have been in Ariccia for a whole week now. It is truly incredible how much we have seen in a short amount of time. And moreover, how at home I feel in this beautiful Italian city. Living in the Chigi Palace is unlike anything I could imagine. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and absolutely beautiful and the facility has everything you could need or want.

Last week we visited the cities of Castelli Romani and oriented ourselves through long walks in Ariccia and nearby Albano. However, some of the most poignant experiences I’ve had so far involve getting to know my 18 new roommates. As an HDFS student, I have studied the development of relationships and the importance of effective communication. For me, this trip has been the ultimate experiment in establishing and building new friendships. I barely knew any of the girls before we left the US. Now I feel like I have new best friends. I have enjoyed the talk of travel plans over morning coffee, family, friends, and hometowns over giant a pizza from Piccolo Borgo Antico, post graduation dreams on the bus, laughing as we get lost, then the sense of mutual accomplishment as we find our destination. We are learning, navigating, and growing together and in doing so, we are becoming closer.

But it’s not just the conversations with my fellow Americans that have been fulfilling. I have learned how invaluable communication with the locals is when getting accustomed to living abroad. The people of Ariccia are very warm and welcoming. They are understanding and willing to help us feel at home I have enjoyed the challenge of practicing the Italian we are learning. It’s funny how the words and phrases seem to solidify in your memory as you hear and speak them everyday. Friday we went to the supermarket and I was so proud when I could order my food from the deli using only Italian.

Yesterday, we had our fist full day of classes in the palace. Francesco showed us around the palace and museum of incredible baroque art. Dr. B also introduced us to Italian culture and etiquette. One thing that stood out to me is the importance of la famiglia (family) in Italian culture. Throughout Italy’s history, the nation has been a conglomeration of divided regions and revolving leadership. Therefore, it is the family that has provided stability and identity. It is also the families that ultimately unite the county. Francesco taught us the Chigi family joined the Borghese family in marriage, providing protection and insurance. This enabled them to have the power and longevity to endure for many centuries.


This is a picture of the family crest that signifies their unity. The Chigi family is represented on the left and Borghese family on the right.


In the same way, the group of us are forming our own Auburn family here in Ariccia. We are banding together for greater success while we are so far from home. As I think back on what I’ve learned so far about family and relationships, I realize I can gain a lot from the Italians if I keep my eyes, mind, and heart open to these new experiences. I am exited to see what the next 11 weeks have in store for us. Arrivederci!


We all cooked dinner together last night. It was delicious! Danni, Emily and I were in charge of antipasti

Ta-Da!!

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Italian Immersion

Two weeks before our departure our group of 19 met for five days from 9:30 to 3:45. It was an intense week We had a lot of information to cram, so the week quite a busy for all the students and Dr. Abell. I believe I can speak for everyone by saying it really served to test our flexibility and strength as a group and also made us more excited about the semester to come.

Our first day in Ariccia we were introduced to porchetta sandwiches (pork-Ariccia’s staple food) for lunch, our first real Italian food of the semester. Little did we know that we would be celebrating porchetta all weekend. Dinner at the Hotel Villa Ariccia did not disappoint either. A wonderful four course meal awaited on the patio overlooking some wonderful scenery in Ariccia. The food here is amazing because it is all freshly made with no preservatives…this is one of the most impressive things to me! The towns that surround Ariccia also tend to have a type of food that they make well.

Our first course, antipasto, one of my favorite Italian meals so far.



We were all quite excited too about the weekend’s three day festival, “Porchetta Festival.” Vendors sold their different dishes and a lot of live music was played. Much of the activity took place 20 feet in front of the palace, including a trolley/van that threw sandwiches to the crowd. A few of us caught some!

Here are some pictures from the Porchetta Festival.



This is one of the bands playing during the festival, right in front of the palace.



Being a Spanish major studying abroad in Italy seems to confuse most. My love of travel and the possibility of learning a third language convinced me that this study abroad program would be a great opportunity for me. At first the process of learning Italian with a background in Spanish seemed to be helpful, but at the same time the slight differences confused me all the more. However, slowly by the end of the week I was able to converse with the locals with no problem. This realization came on Friday when I was in need of a new camera. I went to the camera store to pick it out. I had already become more comfortable with greeting the store owners and was able to get across what I needed for easy, less complicated purchases. However, when it came to buying an electronic device, I was quite nervous. It turned out to be a great confidence builder in the end. By the time that I left the owner was thanking me for teaching him English, even though he had spent about fourty-five minutes helping me and took the time to carry on normal conversation. This incident proved my prior theory of the importance of learning another language. Not only did it serve to help me purchase an item, but it also allowed me to encourage this man with his English, a wonderful feeling to have. At the same time, I came away with pride and confidence. It truly made my week. This surge of confidence led me to have a fun-filled night consisting of two-hour long conversations with locals and new Italian friends. By the end of the night I had conversations in English, Spanish, and Italian. Though I had only studied Spanish, and not Italian in school, my knowledge of Spanish has helped me learn Italian at a faster pace.

Here is the new camera I bought. My favorite purchase so far, a true life saver.



It is these types of experiences that made me want to come to Italy and help me to look forward to the rest of my time here. For some who have never studied a foreign language it is difficult for them to understand the true fulfillment one receives by conversing in another language. Throughout the week it has also been really exciting for me to watch others improve their Italian and see their confidence build as they try to communicate. I truly believe that learning another language is key in living in this global society.

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Turning Into A Local!

Ciao from Ariccia, Italy . . . Our group of nineteen girls has been in Ariccia for less than a week now, and together we have become immersed in the culture of Italy. Living in Ariccia, Italy we were quickly taken aback by the relaxed life style, something most Americans are not use to. This obvious change makes me think: how are the people of this society different and similar to my own? As an HDFS major I tend to observe individual behaviors and family dynamics more than the average person. Thus far, the typical day to day socialization in Italy is most striking observation.

As I walk down the streets I see the old men and women sitting in the same spot watching the town that they are so tied too. Many of the girls agree that in Ariccia we have a better opportunity to experience the Italian culture than we would in a tourist filled city
like Rome. Unlike other metropolitan cities, such as Rome, that house other study abroad programs, Ariccia is a small and quaint town where everyone knows everyone. As I walk past the gelato shops, grocery stores, and porchetta shops the friendliness is almost overwhelming.

It is wonderful living in Ariccia because the Auburn students are the only Americans in the town which makes this another key learning experience for us. The locals of small Ariccia speak very little English and it is great and fun for us to practice our poor, but improving, Italian. Ariccia, and its neighboring towns, provide the perfect atmosphere to learn and absorb ourselves in the language and culture of Italy.

Not only can you find the friendly culture and people in Ariccia, but also in the neighboring Castelli Romani towns. Ariccia is a short escape from Rome in the cool Alban Hills. The Alban Hills are home to different Castelli Romani towns, just Ariccia being one of them. The neighboring towns of the Castelli Romani that we visited were Albano, Castel Gandolfo, Nemi, Genzano, Marino, and Frascati. I must say that after touring Ariccia’s famous neighboring
towns, Ariccia has competition. Between the beautiful lake-side Castel Gandolfo, where Pope Benedict lives in the summer; charming Frascati where you can relax and drink the local wine in the town square; or quiet Nemi, your heart pulls you in different directions. In each town that we visited, I would say, “Wait, this is my favorite!” Each of the Castelli Romani towns was atmospherically the same but uniquely different.


Some of the girls in front of the Pope's summer home in Castel Gandolfo.


A picture of Nemi!

I have never been much of a city girl, and in all of the Castelli Romani towns I felt comfortable, safe, and relaxed thanks to the laid back Italian lifestyle. I love the beautiful neighboring towns and I am glad to call Ariccia home for the semester. Even after the short six days that we have been here, I can say that I relate to the locals who live here. In a short amount of time my eyes have open to a unique lifestyle that I believe the group and I are adjusting well to and learning a lot about.

We still have eleven weeks left in Italy and I can’t imagine the number of lessons I will learn or the amount of wonderful Italian cultural I will experience by then. Ciao.

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Top 10 Items I Should Have on the Syllabus

10. Tuscany is a region, not a town.

9. Atelier is a studio--not a person's last name.

8. "Where are we?" is not a rhetorical question.

7. Siena is spelled with only one "n."

6. The Pope might wear red shoes, but his name is not Gamberro Rosso.

5. I and me are not used interchangeably in sentences.

4. If you fall asleep on the bus, you might not get off at the right stop.

3. If you don't check your e-ticket, you might end up at the wrong airport.

2. Ariccia is spelled with two c's but the Hotel Villa Aricia only has one c.

1. The only way to get to Nemi from Ariccia by public transportation is by bus--not by ferry.

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