Assignment: Italy Realized
I have been back from Italy for almost a week now, and I can explain my feelings in one word: reflection. When I was anticipating the trip to Italy, I imagined it as a space filled with delicious food, stunning architecture, and laughter between friends. While these three aspects did make up the majority of the trip, I never expected the change within myself I experienced during my time in Italy.
Something I was very worried about when I was getting ready to board the plane was taking too many pictures. De Botton writes, “Taking photographs can assuage the itch for possession sparked by the beauty of a place; our anxiety over losing a precious scene can decline with every click of the shutter” (de Botton, 214-215). I was worried that taking pictures would be a way for me to avoid living in the moment by relying on the crutch of the Photos app. When I experienced a beautiful scene, I took my phone out of my bag and snapped the picture. I was scared, as de Botton wrote, that I would lose the beauty of the moment forever if I let it slip away without photo documentation. However, as we went through the trip, my view of photographs shifted. It was no longer about the beauty; I wasn’t trying to possess the beauty within a photograph for later. Photographs became a trigger of a memory that can be used at any time. I’ve looked over my photos from the trip numerous times since getting back to the States, and every time I see a different photo, I’m taken back to that moment. Every sound I heard and scents I smelled came back to me. Photos are a way for me to take myself back to a moment I loved, not just capturing its essence. By thinking of photographs in this new light, I felt less guilty about taking my phone out to take that picture.
Our time in Italy consisted of constant movement; I was consistently surrounded by people, and we were doing things. Now, life feels slower. I wake up at 7am because jet lag fixed my sleep schedule; I go to work and eat my lunch before hanging out with friends in the evening and going to bed. Routine has begun for me, and that routine is dictated by myself, not ten other people and a vaporetto schedule. I have the time to take walks and appreciate West Lafayette for its own beauty. My window looks out onto the construction of the new business building on campus. Previously, I would have viewed construction as a journey to an end goal. However, I now consider how construction is a representation of our paradigm. The cranes, jackhammers, and vans I am surrounded by are byproducts of technological advancements that have shifted the way construction has occurred. The new building is a rectangular, window-filled feat of architecture, similar to those in the modernist era. Even the window I look out of reminds me of Venice and its connection to the creation of the glass windows we use today. This experience in Italian Discoveries truly shifted the way I view the world around me.
The postmodern age we are living in has become more apparent to me during this trip. The speed at which we live our lives (as explained in most of my other blog posts) is so driven by our postmodern present. The desire to complete tasks forces us to be anxious over meeting deadlines and staying on time. I also incredibly value the postmodern ideology of questioning what has come before us. Postmodernists question the world we live in and wonder why we have this current viewpoint. Before Italy, I rarely questioned why I held certain beliefs or assumptions; I simply accepted them as normal. Now, I find myself asking where those ideas come from and what experiences have shaped them. Living in a world filled with constant information, opinions, and digital media makes that questioning even more important. Italy taught me that understanding another culture begins with recognizing that my own perspective is not universal.
Italy has taught me that cultures are unique due to their differing ways they view the world. Whenever someone disagrees with me, I always used to find a way to see where they were coming from. This remained true after coming back, but my approach has shifted. I never considered their upbringing or culture had anything to do with the way people experience life. It has inspired me to learn more about other cultures in an effort to understand more of the people I surround myself with. I’m more cognisant now that what I deem “normal” is simply due to the paradigm I am in and the culture I was raised in.
Speaking of surrounding myself with people, the nine peers I spent this trip with were ones who truly shaped my experience into one that has changed my life. My most powerful experiences on this trip were the journey to the sea cave, the record shop, and the nightly dinner conversations.
I had never felt as connected with the world as when I swam to the sea cave with Colin and Dunkin. I was truly disconnected from my phone, which was a discomforting feeling, but the discomfort was overshadowed by the bliss from being in the ocean. When we finally arrived at the cave, it was truly a beautiful sight. Looking out onto the city we had left through two large rocks created a stunning window into the world. De Botton writes, “Beauty is fugitive, being frequently found in places to which we may never return or else resulting from rare conjunctions of season, light, and weather” (de Botton, 214). That moment was so beautiful because of its ephemerality. The three of us would not go back to that same cave in the same way ever again. We would never see the city through the rocks with the same awe as we did. And to me, sharing this moment with others is what made it so moving. There was no picture taken of that moment; the only ones who can ever see it the way we did were the three of us. This moment inspired me to continue seeking nature with others because it provides an ephemeral beauty that truly cannot be explained.
In Florence, some of us visited a record shop. I love music, but record shops never enticed me. This was primarily because I never listened to albums all the way through. I would find a few songs I liked from soundtracks or playlists, but I would never listen to albums. Due to this, I never had albums I loved enough to buy from shops. However, upon a conversation with Colin, I realized I wanted to change the way I approached music. Each album is a story to be told through music, which can allow an appreciation of the songs that is unbeknownst to one who didn’t listen through the album. During my time in the lab, my headphones have been going through albums and discographies all the way through. Truly, I don’t know how I hadn’t been listening to music this way before.
Finally, my favorite and most changing aspect of this trip was our ability to have lengthy dinner conversations each night. These ranged from truly anything. Once, we had a multi-hour debate about the distinction between morality and spirituality, stemming from a discussion about what makes humans different from animals. Another time, we debated whether earth is a spaceship (this one was always brought up in any conversation). However, these talks weren’t always deep and philosophical. Sometimes, we simply talked about how good the food is or planned our next moves. There was a dinner where all ten of us played Imposter before going to sing karaoke. There was another time we shared stories about our past roommates (both funny and traumatic). I learned so much about these people I was with, and I developed a deep care for each and every one of them. If you are one of my classmates, I have written a note for each of you at the end of this blog.
I am taking so much away from this trip. I now know how to make gnocchi and to see if a pizza has been cooked correctly. I know the way to scoop gelato (learned by observation). I understand the current paradigm we live in and how it is shifting. I also realized how deeply connections with others can form over a short amount of time. Thank you, Italy.
Citation:
de Botton, Alain, The Art of Travel. New York: Vintage, 2002 ["On Possessing Beauty"].
Here will be some notes I am writing to everyone I spent time with on this trip. For the sake of equality, these will be alphabetical after Professore.
To Professore,
Thank you so much for facilitating this trip for us. I know how much work it was going into it, but I need you to know that it all paid off. Every one of us loved everything we did, and you are such a fun and remarkable person to lead us through it. Even though you did scare me quite a bit in the Anatomical Theater, you are one of the best professors I have had. Thank you.
To Claire,
I know how much you’ve been going through the past few months, but just remember that God has you. No matter what happens, we are His daughters. Never ever let anyone take that amazing smile off your face. You are truly a light in every room you step in.
To Colin,
My brother from another mother. Words cannot begin to describe how special you are to me. I really, really, really hope you got home and immediately switched to your new phone because that was super stressful. You are such a fantastic human being with such a big heart (and big stomach. I mean thank you so much for finishing all our food). You radiate passion, and it positively impacts everyone you encounter. Your care and love doesn't go unnoticed. Never let anyone yuck your yum because you are amazing.
To Dunkin,
Thank you for inspiring me to listen to the Grateful Dead. I’m now obsessed. Your interests make you one of the coolest human beings I know, so never let anyone make you feel weird for having them. Thank you for entertaining my silly hypotheticals every day. One of the funniest people I know, I’m gonna miss you. You’re awesome, big dawg.
To Lauren,
I am so incredibly sorry for your time in Venice, but oh my goodness, you are such a strong soul. You persevered more than anyone else I know, and you THRIVED. A truly beautiful person inside and out, I loved spending the time I did with you. Never stop asking your amazing questions.
To Madeleine,
My roomie. My injured buddy. I don’t think I have ever seen someone with a larger smile and genuinely contagious laugh. You’re a true gift to be around. Thank you for having an injury because we were able to get close. We WILL finish Building the Bands. Never stop laughing. I love you.
To Megan,
I am so lucky to have been able to spend this time with you. You have one of the kindest hearts out of everyone I know. Every Instagram reel you sent me at 3am always put a smile on my face. You are such a caring person, and I am so glad to have the next three years to spend in ambos with you.
To Savannah,
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who has as much drive as you. You always know what you want, and you get it. Never stop that. It will get you so far in life. I love your blunt comments so much; they are the funniest thing ever. I hope you get all the purple your heart desires.
To Srinidhi,
We did eat tiramisu together, so that’s a win. You are one of the sweetest and coolest people in the world. First off, your outfits ALWAYS EAT, and I don’t know if I told you that there. Your sarcasm is one of the best forms of humor ever. You’re truly remarkable and such a smart human.
To Tanner,
Sweet Tanner. This will be a very general note because I told a lot of the deeper stuff to you in Florence. You have so much love in your heart, and you pour it out to everyone you meet. Surround yourself with others that are able to pour their love into you because you deserve it. You’re an amazing human with so much awaiting you in your future. I’m so excited to see you grow.
To Everyone:
I love you all so big. Never stop being you.
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