Selma reflection #1

Selma reflection #1

Grado and Italy in general is similar to how I imagined it would be but it also surprises me everyday. I think something that I appreciate the most and don't see enough in the United States is the care people have for others. Couples in the town are very open with their public displays of affection and I really appreciate  seeing that in comparison to the stand odd nature of Americans in the United States. The Italian culture is very slow and it reminds me a lot of my own home life with Bosnian parents but it also butts head with my Chicago nature to keep life moving at a fast pace. However I do think it's a nice change.

There are certain things that I miss of home but the experience I've been having on this trip makes up for that as I immerse myself in the culture I feel more grateful for everything I experience. The hardest has to be my inability to speak to my parents at least as much as they would want to but I like being able  to see different museums and relics as I probably wouldn't do that if I was alone or on vacation. Overall it's been a great trip and I can't see what else it holds.

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 8, 2017 at 12:57 AM

    Ben Otis Reflection 1

    Right when I got off the plane and started to walk around the airport at Trieste I immediately realized how difficult the language barrier was in Italy. I was simply trying to buy a bas ticket, but nobody seemed to understand where I wanted to go. Finally I found a man who understood I was trying to go to Grado. The bus was filled with kids that have just got off from school, and as Hanna and I talked in english, we were caught in the middle of multiple different conversations in Italian. When we got off the bus one of the students came over and said, "Are you guys Americans, and what the hell are you doing in Grado." We explained we were on a school trip with our university and the guy could not believe the opportunity we were given.

    Now, Back to talking about the language barrier. When we went out the bar the first night I was upset with the nightlife because Grado lacked the big club atmosphere, where I could avoid really talking to other people, by dancing and drinking with my American friends. Then late in the night we were walking by a wine bar and a guy heard us speaking english so he told me to sit down for a drink. They thought it was funny that Tim brought a bottle of wine to a wine bar. So they started making fun of us, and then we started throwing it back like any good hearted American would do. We found out the guys sitting there were all restaurant owners, that had just got off and wanted a relaxing drink before bed. I had so much fun talking to these guys, that I couldn't wait to go to the bar the next night. At this point I realized you don't need to jump around and dane in a club to have a good time, and I had a better time trying to communicate with these Italian men and women, because they are so interested in American culture. I still don't know much Italian yet, but I do know every shop owner in town, and am starting to understand the Gradiese trade culture to it's fullest extent.

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