Sarah Roth
June 8, 2017
Second Reflection

One of my favorite things that I have noticed that is prominent in Italian culture is the importance of music.  During one of our first group dinners at the Pizzeria Spaghetteria, there was a woman playing a guitar and singing, and while I couldn’t understand the language I was able to appreciate the music.  The passion that I could feel in both her voice and in the way that she played made me feel connected to the culture more than I have thus far.  I saw this again on the Gondola ride in Venice where the guitarist and singer both performed in a way that I could understand regardless of the language barrier.  This personal attachment that I now have with Italian culture has made me more appreciative of other aspects of it and in the differences that I see in the states.  

For example, one thing that I saw that I didn’t agree with was charging people for public restrooms.  In the states, there are usually always multiple places to use free of charge.  However, fines for driving in Venice and crossing certain borders I see as necessary with the changes that the world has been facing with global warming.  Having been following the US’s involvement in the Paris Agreement closely in multiple classes this past semester, I have been much more observant of all of the ways Italy is more conscious of energy use and ozone depletion.  In almost every hotel that we have stayed in, the lights and electricity are only available when you are physically present in the room. There are clear rules on car emissions, and the streets are generally cleaner.  Today in Venice, I was able to see a sculpture that had just been installed in efforts to warn about the importance of dealing with global warming by placing two giant hands out of the main canal against a building.  Having been studying history and the importance of artistry through these past weeks, I have enjoyed being able to see such a piece and enjoy not only the significance of its meaning but the beauty in its installation and installment.  

Ciao!

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