Ciao! Italy has been a beautiful culture shock so far. Walking the cobbled streets, the country still feels like an idyllic dream. The streets of Rome are bustling with fashionable people. Tourists and locals intermingle in street markets.
A typical day in Rome for me starts with waking up at 7AM. After getting ready, I leave at 8AM, grab a cappuccino, and head to class. I have class from 9AM to 2PM, usually. When we have a guest speaker, class ends around 4PM. For class, we have been reading a variety of texts that address the history of Italian food with an emphasis on the Slow Food movement. Since this class is taught by Dr. Cohen, a Pitt professor, this class serves as a good home base to connect with other Pitt students and build upon my Pitt community. Afterwards, I head home with my roommates and then we either cook dinner or go out for dinner.
I have been to Rome, Florence, Amalfi, Pompeii, Capri, and Meta! This week, I am looking forward to traveling to Passignano. For those who are planning on traveling in Italy, I suggest packing clothing layers, walkable shoes, euros, and snacks. I have found all the locals that I have spoken to be understanding of my difficulty speaking Italian and kind. However, I have spent the most time in Rome, so far. In the Rome community, eating meals together is important. I have found that most normal meals take from 2-3 hours and involve sit-down experiences. In fact, I have trouble finding restaurants that will do takeaway.
In terms of eating, I have done a lot! Since I am a student traveling on a budget, I find myself eating cheaper meals that are based on carbohydrates, such as sandwiches, pasta, and pizza. Mozzarella and gelato are everywhere!
I am sad and surprised that my time in Italy is more than halfway over. I am excited to continue engaging in Italian culture and learning about food and gender in this wonderful country!
