The Mediterranean is the Color of Optimism

Copyright: Emma K Coleman

     Speaking the Italian language is what making love sounds like if it were a language. There is so much passion and love in each pronunciation. Your soul does not just experience love and passion. Your mouth can experience the physical exercise of passionately loving to speak one of the oldest languages in the world.
      I don't know what it is with the English language.....especially American English. The choppy nature of pessimism seems to resonate throughout each strenuous over pronounced statement. When I speak Italian I feel that my passion towards people and my desire to serve those using my health care knowledge will be fulfilled each day. When I speak English I feel the constant sensation that my life is just playing out over another day and one less dollar.
    I go to the Walsh University campus roof top terrace almost daily to see the sun come up and go down over the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean is the sea that my grandparents crossed to come to America. The Mediterranean is the sea that I crossed to come back to Italy. Watching the sun rise and fall over the Mediterranean reminds me of the optimism I had to choose to come to Italy. The color reminds me that my heart speaks the passionate sound of service towards people. I have to ask this question because I am falling in love with the optimism of Italian daily life. What will my life be like now that I have experienced the passionate daily exercise of speaking and living the Italian way of life? How can I be optimistic returning back to the over pronounced American way of living?
      One thing I know is that my life has changed. My old comfortable foundation, that I thought I was building my life on, has been rocked by something beautiful and inexplicable beyond the ancient language that breaths life into each day. Each morning I wake up before the sun says Ciao to Italia. I grab my cappuccino and go directly to the roof to listen for the optimism of Italy to awaken. I try and stop the anxiety of American pessimism to soon overwhelm me in the coming weeks when I cross over the Mediterranean the same direction as my grandparents did. For right now, I try and stay in the moment and breath in the passionate beauty that lives around me creating the color of optimism painting the lovely view of the Mediterranean.

My Word

"Better pass boldly into that other world, in full glory of some passion, than fade and wither with age."-James Joyce

      One of my dearest friends asked me in amidst an email what is the one word that describes me. I could not for the life of me think of a word to describe myself. We had both read the book Eat, Pray, Love written by Elizabeth Gilbert. Throughout the novel, Elizabeth is trying to discover what her word is. Every email, my friend and I posed the question of whether we have decided what our word. Finally, at the end of the novel, Elizabeth Gilbert decided her word is attraversiamo Italian for "we cross over." Well, my word isn't elaborate. However, I think my word really describes who I really am.

     I am a passionate person in every way. I am a passionate daughter. I think many times I have driven my parents nuts because of all the many great things I have been interested in, really wanted to do or begged to try. I am a passionate friend. When I become friends with someone, I really am a true friend. Some times I am too passionately involved in myself and in the world around me. Other times, I am passionately available for my friends when they need me most. I am passionate about what I do in life, especially my studies. I honestly think that being passionate is the best attribute that I have and also the worst attribute I have . Many times my passion has lead me to create my own demise. Then, I am forced to become compassionate about myself. Compassion is really difficult to practice when you are as passionately involved in life as am I. 

      Italy has become a passion of mine ever sine I first stepped foot in Rome in 2009. (I am writing this post visit) I have always wondered why I am always drawn back to Italy. I have wondered why Italy is the first place that I dream of when I need to mentally escape for a moment. It is the passion of the Italian people and the alluring nature that the culture can drive into one's soul. The stories that my Italian friends and family have shared with me are just fuel to my fiery passion. I was recently asked whether I would move to Italy........I thought very hard about this question. I would think about it one day when I am finally done with school. For now, it is my secret obsession and personal treat. Italy, for me, is like falling in love with that one person you are meant to be with in life. There is always something to learn and always something to experience. For me, Italy means just a bit more because I am Italian. I asked a dear friend of mine from Naples, Italy, what word would she describe the people of Naples. She said passion would describe the people. 

      Studying abroad requires a different type of independent learning apart from books and homework. It is a type of learning that requires one to get involved in a culture, understanding customs and becoming a part of the everyday living. Being Italian-American frankly, does not help with understanding the Italian culture. It did allow for me to understand what comes next. The customs of the old country were left behind when my great-grandparents came to America. They were replaced with the ideal American ways. I set out to rediscover the customs lost through time. This interdependent learning was my own desire. One has to make decisions to break down the barriers of our own culture to discover the new culture. 

      I think this idea is where a lot of students fail when they return home. They enjoy their experiences but they are happy to never return. Each person takes in an environment different from the next, I understand this situation. However, it is not how we learn but rather the factors of taking in that environment which makes our learning fluctuate on a different scale. To Italians, in my opinion, culture and people are most important. One can not just walk the streets of Rome and gain comprehension of a culture that has been around for millenniums. One has to allow themselves to become a part of that culture and "what in Rome do what the Romans do." The piazza is the gathering place where the daily gossip is spread over a shot of espresso. Promenading across the grand streets of Rome just won't due for the locals. Passeggiato is what Romans do. The Romans people watch and live the life that we are meant to be living. We are not meant to live to work but rather work so that we can enjoy living. Or for me.....living passionately.

Swirl of Prayers

    I was looking forward to our final day in Florence before returning to Rome. Every weekend trip we have the opportunity to go to mass at many of the world's most famous churches. This Sunday a small group of us headed to mass under the great dome of the Duomo. There is something unique about Catholic Mass. In fact, it is the same all around the world but told to the people of the world in different languages. Catholic, in fact, means universal.
   Danilo was determined to gain seats under the great dome in order for us to enjoy the sweet sound of the congregation's prayers swirling upward. The mass is also sung in a Gregorian chant. For me personally, I prefer an older style to mass. I feel more connected when traditional prayers are said and traditional songs are chosen. We were able to gain seats right behind the Bishops of Florence. We pretty much had the VIP seats for the Sunday mass before Palm Sunday. As the mass went on, I couldn't help but to sneak a private prayer up to the swirl above us. The great dome seems to mix them together around and around until they have made their way to heaven. Sitting there, the prayers sound like a great bee's nest humming to work. I have to say by far this mass was one of the most spiritual masses I have gone to.
      As we made our way back to Hotel Unicorno, I couldn't help but to reflect upon Florence. Florence is an explosion of historical power and art every where you turn. The farther north one goes in Italy the stronger the formalities seem to culminate in government, business and art. The group decided to hike up the 414 stairs of the campanile that accompanies the Duomo. Italians are drawn to campanili as are cowboys are drawn to the call to supper at the ranch. When the bell tolls, it tolls for the people of the city. They know when they are home when they hear "THEIR" bells.
      We are a fairly athletic group of students. Who would have known that we would barely make it to the top without an asthma attack. haha. It costs 6 Euros and was a total ass beating but totally worth the view from the top. As we climbed the stairs, an older American lady climbed passed us and announced that today was her birthday and that she is 84 years old. First of all, she looked no older than 65 and second, we were being lapped by an 84 year old. It was both funny but inspiring for many of us because she doesn't let her age get the best of her. When we reached the top of the bell tower we all cut a small video announcing "Hi, my name is Emma and my ass just got beat by 414 stairs." What a sight it was to peer down on Florence and peer out on the Tuscan country side.
     Going down the ancient winding stairs was a completely different thing than climbing up. One had to flatten their backs against the round cavity housing the 414 stairs to allow another to pass. Other wise, someone was bound to either tumble down the stairs or up the stairs creating a dangerous event. Rocco seemed to have a small touch of vertigo. He wasn't dealing so well with the passage of others around him going up or down.
     After the great descent, Rachel, Jenna, Mandy and I decided to go shopping again and then try these great Belgium waffles everyone seems to be walking around Florence with as a snack. I was able to send my little brother, Robert, a post card from Florence as well. As a side note, the waffles.....they gave us two instead of one sandwiched together with Nutella. A diabetic would have died at the sight of it. We had such a laugh at trying to eat them. In the end, we had to toss most of it in the trash bin because it was starting to make us ill.
   

My New Boyfriend David

     Before I left for the weekend in Florence I posted on my Facebook that I was going to go meet my new boyfriend David. This caused such a frenzy. All of my family and extended family threatened to tell my parents that I have a boyfriend abroad. When I told them I was actually going to see the famed statue of David while in Florence the big "ooohhhh" and hand to face moment happened to them all. As a side note, you can actually be arrested if you take photos of this famed statue...just a random fact.
    We arrived at the museum to be pleasantly surprised to turn the first corner to be greeted by one of the world's most famous statues. I had to be the stupid American and sneak a photo of this handsome man for a free souvenir. On the other hand, it would not have been so free if I were arrested. Good thing I wasn't!  I asked Mandy to stop a moment so that I could stick my camera through her hair to snap a few shots. Natalie and I went to go sit down looking up at David's rear end. Yes, we did pinch his behind which caused a fit of laughter like we were again in elementary school. It is such an amazing piece of work. I can't believe Michelangelo would know exactly what he would carve from a single piece of marble. He believed that the statue was living within and all he had to do was unveil it. The veins of David seem to be pumping blood to sustain him under his marble exoskeleton.
      Dr. Whetstine's mom is here visiting for the week. She decided to sit down next to Natalie and I and ask us about the style of sculpture David is styled in. We were quite happy to share our knowledge because this is what we have class for every morning. We learn about art history and then see the art in person. Before we left I decided to sneak one last photo of David's Face. He is apparently looking towards Golithe. I think he is looking at so much more than just the Giant.
   So I said goodbye to my brief encounter with the world's most gorgeous man and moved on to more girlie things like shopping with Natalie, Nicole and Rachel. I took them over to the famous Porcellino Market. I found a lovely leather purse for my mother in the market but I wanted to wait until closing when you get the best deals. We then headed over to the San Lorenzo Market. Natalie wanted to try her hand at the power of bargain that Danilo was telling us about. She tried to bargain a price for a couple of cashmere scarves at the first stand we saw. They were not believing anything that was coming out of her mouth. She said no and lead the group on to the next stall. I have to laugh. She was so confident in her no response to the people at the first stand. We headed over to another stand which had a lovely display of scarves. We gave in and all bought cashmere scarves. My scarf is a lovely light purple plaid scarf. I totally love it. As we were walking around we happened upon this lovely restaurant called Ciro and Sons nestled inside an old palace of the family of Pope Clemens. http://www.ciroandsons.com/index.php It was so cute. We just were poking our noses in and a young man that was labeling the house wine with home made labels. He came out and started talking to us. Boy is he one lucky man to be that good looking. He invited us to come back tonight for dinner. We will most definitely return. We then headed over to the Ponte Vecchio bridge to buy Italian Horns. Don't shop with me because I make everyone buy more than what they want to buy. Natalie spent over 100 euros on a horn and Ali spent 90 euros on one as well. They loved their new necklaces so well that they were so mad at me for "making" them buy one.
          Later on that evening, almost everyone headed over to have dinner at  Ciro and Sons restaurant. We were yet again greeted by the handsome man from earlier today. He apologized to us that we would have to have dinner under the patio. He move plenty of the heaters near us since we were all so eager to eat at such a place. That night dinner lasted around 3 hours. It was just a table full of students, our professor and her mother. It didn't really matter how much we spent that night because the laughs that we had and the sharing of a great meal around the table was worth the entire bill. There is an art to Italian meals. The art of "tutti a tavolo a mangiare" isn't just a place to satisfy one's hunger. It is about the time that one shares with friends and family. Splitting bills is not common in Italy because having dinner together does not just consist of the meal but also the company. Everyone pitches in an even share of the bill because the bill has an invisible charge for the evening's amazing company. It is a living heritage of time shared that makes our daily lives more worth while. I don't mind paying more than my meal because I enjoy a great company of people around my table. A little secret of mine is to sit in the middle of the table so that I can be involved in everyone's conversation. That way, if I have run out of things to say on one side I can switch to another side of the table and continue talking.
      We were having great fun with our waiter Enzo and his brother Giuseppe. When he came around to ask whether we would like any dessert, Natalie got up enough courage to ask Enzo if he were on the menu. He said just wait one moment. While he was bring out our tiramisu, he handed Natalie a lovely plate painted in whipped cream the name Enzo. Yes, apparently Enzo was on the dessert menu. We just all had way too much fun. As we were leaving, we all begged, well, just us girls begged for a photo of the famed brothers for a keep sake of that wonderful dinner.

Giuseppe on the left and Enzo on the right

  

   I have been thoroughly enlightened with the many day trips Dr. Dubs has had us through and will have us through. One of the most interesting while here in Florence was a trip to a medical museum that exhibited post Renaissance wax dissection models exhibiting all sorts or ailments and diseases. Medical students thumbing through the many bibles of medicine would come and study these models for practice. These students would then be prepared to deal with the horrors of the "everyman" disorders and diseases. I found many of the these models quite frightening because they seemed so real. One of the oddest had a rendition of a pregnant mother with a breech baby.
     Studying medicine seemed to be an art for Florentines during the Renaissance. Much of Florence seems to have small moments of the Renaissance all around the city. It is like being in a museum but instead of the stark four walls surrounding you, the cobblestones and torrents of the famed Florentine city surround you. I really can't describe Florence any better than the womb of Italian art and culture. Florence was even the first capital of the unified state of Italy. I wonder what life would have been like to be apart of the history pages of Florence. It would likely be a "who's who" of Italian art and culture. We continued around the museum and came across the many animal exhibits. With Florence being one of the oldest and riches cities in Italy, we were all so interested to see the many exotic animals on display. We even came across a rare Homo Sapien called Matt. haha Many of the animals have been long since extincted. which made their viewing even more interesting.
       Florence is such a different city than Rome or even Naples. The farther one goes North of Rome, the classier everything gets. Rome is a like a pair of Levi jeans compared to Florence's high fashion label lifestyle and artistic moments. I don't really think that one can visit just one city in Italy. Italy is a completely different soul north compared to the south. I have to say that I have enjoyed Florence because it seems like the history pages seem to come to life. The words have taken a breath in front of a visitor at every waking moment. The only turn off I have from Florence is that the people get lost in all of the history, art and architecture. Maybe it would be different if I went out into the Tuscan countryside. I won't make a permanent judgement for now.
   

La Primavera

We arrived here in Florence after a long train ride. We decided to walk around the main square to find a nice restaurant. We came upon this little place that only had six tables and was about the size of the first floor in my parents house which is very small by the way. This picture<<<<<<< shows all the room that was in the place. It was so quaint. The menu was only what the kitchen was cooking for the afternoon. We all had a five layer lasagna with a glass of wine for 7 euros. It doesn't beat the group favorite of Sor Capanna but it comes so very close.

It was snowing while we we walking on the bridge

      After our amazing lunch we had a quick walking tour of the city and walked the length of the famous Ponte Vecchio. Then, we headed over to have our tour of the Uffizi museum. I am not the biggest fan but we had to use a headset for our tour. It was one of those headsets that you punch in the number of the famous painting and it tells you a story on it. I would much rather have a person tell me about certain pieces of art and the building itself. However, I stayed optimistic. I was looking forward to seeing the "Birth of Venus" and "Primavera." Both of these paintings were amazing to witness. However, I have to tell this story. I am standing back and glancing at the "Primavera." A group of Asians came by me with their crazy tour guide. She was dressed from head to toe in a baby blue suit. She painted her lips with bright red lipstick and raved in absolute craziness over the Primavera painting. She started to crouch down and then crawl around on the floor next to the wall that the painting was hung so that her tourists were able to understand something. What ever it was I feel that there is some sort of medication out there to put her excitement at ease.  This was such a strange site. She almost knocked this famous painting off the wall. I am amazed by the world and the people in it. There aren't just the black and white standardized procedures that run my Americanized life. Every spectrum of the rainbow can be reincarnated in a baby blue suit and bright red lipstick.

The palace continues to the famous bridge

      After a while I stopped listening to every room and caught up with Ali and Jenna. The Medici family had a huge complex. This whole museum used to be their palace. Ali, Jenna and I kind of did an illegal thing. We went down a handicap elevator that we had no access to and then walked into a private VIP section of the museum that we did not have access to. We received the oddest stares. Frankly, we were just trying to find our way back to the lobby. I don't mean to sound ungrateful for the experience. Museums are just exhausting. I don't prefer to be inside all day while the people pass by and life plays out.
     Later, Nicole and I decided to walk around Florence while the rest of the group went back to the hotel. We were walking towards the famous Duomo and saw the famed baptistery then we turned towards the right and saw one of the best sites. I love when these moments take my breath away. First experiences are always the best.  The church is covered in a marble that I have never seen. Nicole and I decided to walk down to the Ponte Vecchio because she was looking to buy a watch. She wanted to go into the Bulgari store because they had a lot of watches in the window. Neither of us knew of the expensive prices we were about to experience. We didn't know that Bulgari is such a high class brand. First thing is that we had to be buzzed into the store. That should have been our first sign. Nicole started looking at a 3000 euro watch. I immediately laid an egg and wanted out of the shop. They were quite upset that I left and didn't spend any money. I started calling and texting her to leave. These shops can call the police if you are not a serious buyer. They do not like browsers like in the US. She finally came bounding through the door. She told me that it took everything for the jeweler to let her go. Holy moly we almost had trouble. We ended up walking back to the shop that I bought an Italian horn at so that Nicole to look for one. Our last stop was in the Guess shop. Nicole finally settled on a 179 euro watch for her birthday. It had Swarovski crystals around the face. It was so gorgeous.

Sleep can solve a multitude of sin

    I feel so much better after getting some sleep. I awoke today at around 7am because today is Father's Day. We were all going to share Zeppolis in honor of St. Joseph. Zeppolis are a puff pastry delight filled with a burst of magnificent cream. I bet Danilo bought these at the Pope's Pastry Shop Sesta in Albano. St. Joseph is the patron saint of all fathers. As a class, we ended up making a card for our Italian father Danilo. We have become this small family of sorts: Danilo is the Dad and Dr. Dubs is the mom and there are 2 boys and 7 girls in the family. We are a precocious family seemingly challenging the boundaries of communication and interaction each day. We complement each other and fill in the gaps. Some of us speak our mind more than others. Some of us are too afraid to venture out into the unknown. As a whole, we encourage each other to not be afraid and forget time to enjoy the moment.
     After class as usual, Ali and I ventured into Rome by ourselves. She needed to finish up her walking tour and I just wanted to be in the city. I knew my way around well and I thought I would share the time with her. We ended up starting at the Spanish Steps. We had a slice of pizza at a little pizza shop right outside the entrance into the subway. They make amazing pizza. We then walked down Via Condotti and Via Della Corso to the Trevi Fountain. From the fountains of all fountains, we headed to the god of Piazzas, Piazza Novana. We then headed to the Lepanto Metro Station and came back to the intersection of Via Condotti and Via Della Corso. We happened to fall upon my absolute passion: AC ROMA's team shop. I am obsessed with soccer. I played through high school and my first two years of University. My career came to a crashing halt when I broke my left tibia from excessive stress fractures. It never healed right and I haven't been able to run well since.
     It was a constructive day and I enjoyed it. I honestly wish we had more time here. I am starting to feel the end of our semester coming to an end. I feel that there is never enough time in the day to experience all that I would like to experience. I feel rushed most times much like our scavenger hunt the other day. We run by so many beautiful things that I want to cry. Well, I can't wait to go to Florence to meet my new boyfriend David. He lives in the Gallery Anticanna. I heard he just got back from a military battle and will become King. I hope he looks like Prince William from the UK.

Caccia al Tesoro

We had a scavenger hunt in and around Piazza di Novana. Matt, Brittany and I were a group. Of course Matt is a slave driver and has to win.....He actually was quite funny about everything. I have asthma that kicks up when I have not been consistent with my exercises. Chasing after Matt down the sidewalks of Rome almost made with want to vomit. By the time we finished I was drenched in sweat, Brittany was dieing and Matt was bummed that we were told the wrong answers for many of the questions.
   It started out with 10 questions asking a random of facts about Rome. It was written in Italian so that we had Italian practice. My recollection tells me that for example: one of the questions asked about a famous fountain near the famous University of Rome. It was something about a fat guy sitting on a keg barrel. One of the disappointing things about this whole treasure hunt is that a majority of the Romans know nothing about the very eternal city they live in. We asked so many people for the answers to our questions. It was not like the answers were only known to the scholars of the city. They were rather common known knowledge. At one point we begged a bus driver to drive us to our destination. Finally, we became discouraged and stopped in at a travel agency and asked to use her computer. On the positive side, we were able to answer 5 of the 10 questions within the first 5 minutes of the hunt. When we arrived back we saw one of the other groups sitting with Danilo and Dr Dubs. When our answers were checked 2 of the 10 questions were wrong. Are you kidding me? Even the internet and travel agent is wrong. We walked back to Termini Station sulking as sore losers.
   When we arrived back to campus we decided to make plans for St. Patrick's Day in Rome. Let's see what comes of this.