Notes Found

 

Last night I was thinking of how badly I should update my blog. The hardest part is to slow down and realize what has changed. Sometimes even to find a topic to talk about is difficult. However, I was making to do list in my notes app and I found this long note I made while in Italy. I think it shares a bit of what I miss. I'm completely heartbroken from leaving the most beautiful country. I miss it more and more every day. So I will continue to save every penny because like a children's book my dad owned states, "It's a small world of pennies and wishes…" 

The Italian culture still surprised me. We drive on between hill towns where there are simply roads, a few scattered homes, and open fields all set with the backdrop of seeing those beautiful hills topped with the city. It's remarkable how much Americans want to spread out, use as much as possible, and be away from others. While here, everyone wishes to be closer to the center. The center is the place of all social events. Daily people interact, saying hello and catching up. And on a beautiful night the center is packed with people having a beer and enjoying themselves. 

Today while driving to Siena, I saw a farmer herding his sheep. The thing about Italians they have the nature to do everything "old-fashioned" but at the same time they try to keep up with the rest of us. I like the idea of taking life a little slower, a little more relaxed. It's almost like retirement for everyone. Sure they work - those who are lucky at this time -but they still drink there coffee at the bar. Never do they carry it around in a plastic cup rushing from place to place. For kids and teenagers, they are out and about. They have their own little meeting place near the center. They swarm there like bees. One could seriously get lost in the crowd of "bambini". And yes many are on their phones but they are still social. They aren't sitting at home playing video games or waiting for the phone to ring.

I could get use to less technology and more personal relationships. It is something I would have to train myself to do. My favorite thing about technology especially my phone is the option of knowing. If a question arises and I don't have the answer I can simply google it. Saves so much time and there is no longer need for research. 

At the same time, there is one aspect of the culture I can't get over. And before I state it I don't know if its true of everyone and it's not true of the men I have met here but many Italian men can be in love, married, or both and they still find it acceptable to hit on other women. And maybe this is where I'm a bit more old-fashioned than the Italians. I want one person. I don't want to ever feel like I'm in competition with the next girl who walks into the bar. And that is where my American culture of "I want to be the best" comes into play.