by Stefanie Burger
The last few days in Cagli have been life changing. I have
not experienced much dissonance in the majority of the time that I have spent
here in the city or even in the surrounding cities but the last few days have
really made me realize that this place is home. The mindset and lifestyle of
the Cagliese is one of community, one based on friendship and one that I hope
to continue using as a model for my own life once I return to the states.
Yesterday, we had an Italian quiz at school and the night
before was filled to the brim with anxiety to say the least. Student’s filled
the Piazza and could be seen in any corner of the square with a different local
making an effort to understand conversational Italian while constructing
sentences for our “guess test” the next morning. While my roommate and I had
planned on having a single glass of wine and a brief visit with one of our
favorite locals, Romano, we ended up getting much more than we had originally
bargained for.
As we were preparing to leave, we walked into Café D’Italia
to say our goodbyes and ended up turning our attempted farewells into hellos that
were shared with new friends. For hours, we sat at the bar learning Italian from
the locals, enjoying complimentary food and drink with the owner and listening
to American music (specially chosen for us) booming throughout the bar. There
were three students (including myself) that sat at the bar until the wee hours
of the morning and it was in those wee hours that we bonded with the locals, experienced
their kindness and made connections that will leave and imprint on our hearts
for all time.
This may seem like such a tiny and insignificant moment but
in the time we spent at that bar, we grew roots into the community and it
created a strong hold that would permanently attach us to this place for our
entire lives. I write about this experience specifically (even though there
have been many similar moments) because I am not quite sure this type of
connection could occur in many areas throughout the states. In the US, I notice
a certain sense of urgency in general but specifically within the food
industry. Everything is about the quick turnover, closing on time, meeting
quotas and conforming to a corporately driven idea of what matters. In Italy,
closing times are flexible, you enjoy your food, you indulge in good company and
a table is yours for as long as you like it.
What am I trying to say here? Simply this… As cliché as it
may sound, take the time to smell the roses, take a slow stroll through your
neighborhood, sit down and enjoy the artistry in your next cup of coffee and
make the time to meet new friends, try new things and take small chances. This past week, I traveled to Urbino and made
the decision to permanently tattoo a Cagli landmark and some words of Italian
wisdom onto my body in hopes of carrying this life changing experience and all
of my memories with me for my lifetime. This phrase is with me forever and I hope that
the next incoming group of students will take the time to apply it to their own
assimilation into the Cagli community. Simply remember, “E sempre un avventura”
because “every step is an adventure.”
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