05/28/2009
Bittersweet... today is our last day here. It's hard to believe that a short two weeks ago (which now seems like forever, and in a good way) we 30-something strangers met in the Rome airport, and took a bus up a mountain to a remote villa called Casa Cares. Yesterday, I blogged home that we students/participants were like siblings... I don't think so. We're more like cousins; scattered across the nation, some of us in the same school (like we 4 from UAB), others from other schools...all peers, all growing and learning. This has definitely been like a family reunion, and now my family has grown immensely!
This morning, we went back to Firenze to hear a judge in the juvenile system speak. Wish I was fluent in Italian; Dr. Krieg tried to interpret for us, but the judge was so exuberant, he never stopped talking! I got the impression he was emphasizing certain things- I thought I kept hearing the same word repeated a few times- but have no clue what he was saying!
After the judge, we broke up (our one rule: Meet at track 14- our usual meeting spot- at 5:00); some just had time to catch the 1:30 train back to St. Ellero (our bus stop to go home!). I played independenzia - I hit Firenze, solo! It was wonderful! Had pizza for lunch in a small dive- the owner spoke no English- the pizza was different- but good- giant chunks of tomatoes, whole ripe olives, sausage and pepperoni on cornbread topped with cheese (no tomato sauce!) Had a sprite with it... (good old fashioned American eating!). Next up, SHOPPING! Hit the open markets, with gusti (feminine of gusto)... got lots of stuff for family back home! Wnadered throughtout Florence, taking in sights, smells, ducking into stores and shops... took it at my own pace, and enjoyed it all. About quarter to four, headed back to the train station (the duomo is immense, in the center of the town, easily seen by all the areas I hit, at least, and the train station is by the duomo). To reach the train station by foot, you must first pass through a tunnel; and there are shops on either side of the tunnel. A carbinieri had a woman stopped, going through her bags and gesturing to one of the shops. Don't know what happened, and kept walking on. I got up to the station, it was only about 4-ish, so I went to Sala de Attisa (basically, a sitting room for people waiting for trains) and sat down for about 5 minutes, just to let my feet quit throbbing! Then I went and ordered: un piccolo gelato e aqua naturale (a small ice cream- that puts ice cream in the states to shame!) and a natural (not fizzy) water.
Met Dr's Ttyson & Thomas at 5:00 at track 14- our bus finally got a track: #13. OOPS! Unlucky #13; the wrong track# had been posted. Dr. Thomas thought the train was wrong; she got off & asked one of the train station employees, who directed us to the train on track 16. Amazing, how we people, even (or especially?) in unfamiliar territory, are so vulnerable to erroneous information.
OK, guys, this, for sure, is my final blog. Fixing to download all my pics onto facebook:
italy institute 2009. Go see 'em!
Arriverderci, Lynn
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
05/27/2009
Sorry, guys, I didn't lie this morning when I said it was my last blog; it's just that I realized I needed to journal some more during our trip to Firenze today.
First up, The Uffizi Museum. It was filled (naturally)) with masterpieces from Il Familia Medici (the Medici family). In fact, the museum itself began as an office building (the Italian word for "office" is "uffici" - these were the offices of Il Familia Medici; and they had crosswalks to tbeir palazzo, so they wouldn't have to mingle with the commoners in the streets!
Next, we took a bus ride (imagine standing, holding for dear life, on a bus going fast and taking sharp turns... kind of like riding the Knight Bus from the 3rd Harry Potter movie!) to a Mental Helth Day Treatment Facility - Fili e Colores. It was very much like facilities in which I have worked; both nursing homes and when I did an internship in a hospital (long-term residential) for the criminally insane (now, it would be given a different name; residential facility for maladaptive psychopathologies, perhaps?)
Then, we walked to a residential facility, where Roberto was our host... he explained they have 12 beds; 7 women and 5 men. Some stay forever, some come and go as they have need. This particular facility only serves a particular neighborhood, a particular small community. Most of the group went upstairs to see the rooms; I and a couple of others sat downstairs (sore,tired feet & knees said "NO WAY!" when I looked at the long, steep staircase!
ULP! Another busride back to the train station, where I bought another suitcase... then a relaxing train ride back home, and sitting to blog.
One thing I reflected on as we walked through Firenze today, was how, in the short time we have been together, we have become close, like a family. Our profs are like favorite aunts and uncles (tia e tio), those wonderful people who may be older than you, may be your age, but have a position of authority because of their position in the family. Here, the authority is based on experience; our profs have worked years in our field, and are willing to share their experience and knowledge with us (those of us who are midlife career changers appreciate that about them...). Our fellow students are like brothers and sisters...without the sibling rivalry. We are all in this together, pulling together, making our family, our profession strong. Our hosts, Dr. Krieg and his lovely wife, Antoinette, are like grandparents... not because of age, (they aren't much older than I) but because of how they treat us. Dr. Krieg keeps us together on our journeys into towns, acting as our interpreter, guide, and, well, like a grandfather (at least the way my grandfathers acted when I was growing up!) Antoinette makes sure we have good food on the table, the house is comfortable, and we are free to concentrate on our studies (again, like my grandmothers acted when I was growing up). Although I am ready to go home, I will miss this place, the chance to sit and commune (sometimes, sitting quitly in the sala, some knitting, some computering, but all of us, quiet yet together. Hmmm, whom did I leave out? Mom & dad? Parents have a different attitude toward their children than grandparents, aunts and uncles; and here, we are at our grandparent's home, like a big family reunion.
So, will I blog tomorrow? I don't know... We will go back to Firenze to see the judge (juveniles in the Italian court system), then we'll have time to shop, shop SHOP! 5 hours to indulge my XX shopping gene! But then, back home to pack... so don't know if I'll have time to blog; am sure I'll have an experience!
Ciao for now, Lynn
Sorry, guys, I didn't lie this morning when I said it was my last blog; it's just that I realized I needed to journal some more during our trip to Firenze today.
First up, The Uffizi Museum. It was filled (naturally)) with masterpieces from Il Familia Medici (the Medici family). In fact, the museum itself began as an office building (the Italian word for "office" is "uffici" - these were the offices of Il Familia Medici; and they had crosswalks to tbeir palazzo, so they wouldn't have to mingle with the commoners in the streets!
Next, we took a bus ride (imagine standing, holding for dear life, on a bus going fast and taking sharp turns... kind of like riding the Knight Bus from the 3rd Harry Potter movie!) to a Mental Helth Day Treatment Facility - Fili e Colores. It was very much like facilities in which I have worked; both nursing homes and when I did an internship in a hospital (long-term residential) for the criminally insane (now, it would be given a different name; residential facility for maladaptive psychopathologies, perhaps?)
Then, we walked to a residential facility, where Roberto was our host... he explained they have 12 beds; 7 women and 5 men. Some stay forever, some come and go as they have need. This particular facility only serves a particular neighborhood, a particular small community. Most of the group went upstairs to see the rooms; I and a couple of others sat downstairs (sore,tired feet & knees said "NO WAY!" when I looked at the long, steep staircase!
ULP! Another busride back to the train station, where I bought another suitcase... then a relaxing train ride back home, and sitting to blog.
One thing I reflected on as we walked through Firenze today, was how, in the short time we have been together, we have become close, like a family. Our profs are like favorite aunts and uncles (tia e tio), those wonderful people who may be older than you, may be your age, but have a position of authority because of their position in the family. Here, the authority is based on experience; our profs have worked years in our field, and are willing to share their experience and knowledge with us (those of us who are midlife career changers appreciate that about them...). Our fellow students are like brothers and sisters...without the sibling rivalry. We are all in this together, pulling together, making our family, our profession strong. Our hosts, Dr. Krieg and his lovely wife, Antoinette, are like grandparents... not because of age, (they aren't much older than I) but because of how they treat us. Dr. Krieg keeps us together on our journeys into towns, acting as our interpreter, guide, and, well, like a grandfather (at least the way my grandfathers acted when I was growing up!) Antoinette makes sure we have good food on the table, the house is comfortable, and we are free to concentrate on our studies (again, like my grandmothers acted when I was growing up). Although I am ready to go home, I will miss this place, the chance to sit and commune (sometimes, sitting quitly in the sala, some knitting, some computering, but all of us, quiet yet together. Hmmm, whom did I leave out? Mom & dad? Parents have a different attitude toward their children than grandparents, aunts and uncles; and here, we are at our grandparent's home, like a big family reunion.
So, will I blog tomorrow? I don't know... We will go back to Firenze to see the judge (juveniles in the Italian court system), then we'll have time to shop, shop SHOP! 5 hours to indulge my XX shopping gene! But then, back home to pack... so don't know if I'll have time to blog; am sure I'll have an experience!
Ciao for now, Lynn
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
05/27/2009
Two more days. I sometimes think I could stay here forever; then in the next minute, I'm ready to get back home. Haveen't started packing yet...I need to get two new suitcases, first! (My carry on bag has died and needs replacing; and I need a second bag to check because of all my souvenirs!)
Today and tomorrow, we go back to Firenze (Florence). Interestingly, during the reign of the Medici family, there was a "power struggle" between 3 of the city states: Florence (Firenze), Pisa and Siena. Both Pisa and Siena "won a battle but lost the war" and Firenze became the seat of power. That being said, I wonder who really lost and won... because now Firenze is struggling, while Pisa (a major tourist attraction), and Siena (the commerce capitol) have much stronger economies!
Today in Firenze, we will see The Uffizi (another art museum) andgo to a day treatment (mental health) center and tomorrow, we hear a judge talk about juveniles in the Italian court system. Will have 5 hours free time in Firenze tomorrow, so it's the last chance to pick up the last few souvenirs. I think this will be my last blog, unless I do one tonight, because tomorrow, we'll get home and pack, then Friday am we get on the bus at 4am (UGH!) to head back to the Rome airport.
I've taken lots of pics, but haven't figured out how to attach the file to my blog... so I guess I'll put them on our facebook page (italy institute 2009).
Arriverderci, Lynn
Two more days. I sometimes think I could stay here forever; then in the next minute, I'm ready to get back home. Haveen't started packing yet...I need to get two new suitcases, first! (My carry on bag has died and needs replacing; and I need a second bag to check because of all my souvenirs!)
Today and tomorrow, we go back to Firenze (Florence). Interestingly, during the reign of the Medici family, there was a "power struggle" between 3 of the city states: Florence (Firenze), Pisa and Siena. Both Pisa and Siena "won a battle but lost the war" and Firenze became the seat of power. That being said, I wonder who really lost and won... because now Firenze is struggling, while Pisa (a major tourist attraction), and Siena (the commerce capitol) have much stronger economies!
Today in Firenze, we will see The Uffizi (another art museum) andgo to a day treatment (mental health) center and tomorrow, we hear a judge talk about juveniles in the Italian court system. Will have 5 hours free time in Firenze tomorrow, so it's the last chance to pick up the last few souvenirs. I think this will be my last blog, unless I do one tonight, because tomorrow, we'll get home and pack, then Friday am we get on the bus at 4am (UGH!) to head back to the Rome airport.
I've taken lots of pics, but haven't figured out how to attach the file to my blog... so I guess I'll put them on our facebook page (italy institute 2009).
Arriverderci, Lynn
05/26/2009 pm
Today was stay at Casa Cares and learn day. Our first speaker was Dr. Cicogni, an Italian psychiatrist who spoke on the mental health system in Italy. Italy & US seem (to me, at least) to be polar opposites in their approach to mental illness. Dr. Cicogni had a powerpoint, which he read to us... I would love to take his numbers (stats) and compare them to US stats... just to see which system is most effective; knowing the Mark Twain quote about statisticians...
Second presentation: right after lunch, Dr. Tyson presented on cinematherapy. He began by giving us this disclaimer: "Cinematherapy is not a type of therapy; rather, it is a technique to be used within any therapy session." That said, we broke into 5 groups, each group taking one movie clip, and answered 3 questions: 1) Whate age group? 2) What is focus topic? 3) ID 3 "kickoff" questions. The presentation was active and involved, and fun! Dr. Tyson has told me it would be too much in a regular (fall/spring) session, but maybe would work in May miniterm or summer a or b session...it would be most efficacious if he could get cinematherapy as a miniterm elective... it always helps to learn new techniques!
Dr. McCollum followed with advocacy counseling; she has a 4-step model and has been the ACA pres. of the Justice division...
If I can, I will try to link the PPTs to the blog...
Today was stay at Casa Cares and learn day. Our first speaker was Dr. Cicogni, an Italian psychiatrist who spoke on the mental health system in Italy. Italy & US seem (to me, at least) to be polar opposites in their approach to mental illness. Dr. Cicogni had a powerpoint, which he read to us... I would love to take his numbers (stats) and compare them to US stats... just to see which system is most effective; knowing the Mark Twain quote about statisticians...
Second presentation: right after lunch, Dr. Tyson presented on cinematherapy. He began by giving us this disclaimer: "Cinematherapy is not a type of therapy; rather, it is a technique to be used within any therapy session." That said, we broke into 5 groups, each group taking one movie clip, and answered 3 questions: 1) Whate age group? 2) What is focus topic? 3) ID 3 "kickoff" questions. The presentation was active and involved, and fun! Dr. Tyson has told me it would be too much in a regular (fall/spring) session, but maybe would work in May miniterm or summer a or b session...it would be most efficacious if he could get cinematherapy as a miniterm elective... it always helps to learn new techniques!
Dr. McCollum followed with advocacy counseling; she has a 4-step model and has been the ACA pres. of the Justice division...
If I can, I will try to link the PPTs to the blog...
Monday, May 25, 2009
05/26/2009 am blog
Yesterday, 05025/2009 was a "touristy" day, we all piled into the bus at 9:30am to go to Siena! (We didn't get back home until 11:30pm, and by then, I was exhausted-but exhilerated-hence the blog coming "the morning after").
Siena is a magnificent city, and can easily be compared to two major US cities: San Francisco (physically) and New Your (Siena is the "Wall Street City" of Italy-the center of banking and commerce). I found it fascinating that the ""old" period was "before the bubonic plague" and the "new" period "after the bubonic plague (the 1400's)!
We got there at lunchtime, so food was the first order of the day. After lunch, we took a two-hour walking tour of Siena and had a tour guide-Roberta- who was a beautiful bundle of energy. She took us into the Basilica of St. Catherine, where we saw the St's relics; her head (skull) and finger. The bones had been wrapped in plaster, and the skull looked more like a mask than skull, while the finger actually looked like a fleshy finger. Of course, to preserve the relics, they are behind protective glass; and no pics allowed in the basilica.
We also went into the baptistry, where we were allowed to take pics. We saw the library of the Piccolomini- I took a "surround"-style video of the frescoes and books, can only hope I did it justice. Also learned the origin of the word "grafitti" - to etch in marble! (A far cry from the meaning today).
Along the tour, we learned the colors of Siena are black and white; the color of the bank is azuri (light blue- hence the Italian teams' penchant for wearing light blue uniforms... the Bank of Siena financees all of Italy and Italian expressions! We also learned Siena is the birthplace of the color "burnt sienna" - it is the color of burned Siennese clay.
After our tour, we reonvened at the Camp, the site of the biennial Siennese horse races. Not like the US triple crown, but, maybe more like a blend of NASCAR and the Iron Bowl. There are 17 communities (owl, dragon, caterpillar, etc), and each community draws a horse in a lottery (the horses come from the north, and are not raised in Siena). The communities then go to Saldena, where the people are physically smaller and lighter, and hire a professional jockey. The campo is too small for 17 horses to run; so another lottery is held in which 10 horses run (three horses run in both races). (Multiple "teams" is comparable to NASCAR.) One difference between horse races in Siena and US; in Siena, it's only important for the horse to cross the finish line! Roberta told us about a race in which the jockey fell off, but the horse kept running, and the riderless horse won the race! There is no "purse" per se, so why is this such a major event? BRAGGING RIGHTS! The towns whose horses win get to strut for a year...until the next race. In that sense, it is definitely like the Iron Bowl!
We had two free hours after the tour, and I hit a couple of shops I had seen. I collect cookbooks, especially from places I;ve been, and got two: Tuscany Cooking and Italian Pasta. I have truly enjoyed the food here, and want to see if I can replicate it back home. I also got some other little souvenirs. I had also been wanting to ship some wine back home, and had a wonderful experience getting some help from a "mom & pop" style wine shop. They had no customers, and when I went in, the man said he spoke English, and helped me pick out some wine and ship it back home! The Italians are so generous... they accomodate us with language, and are (for the most part) friendly!
Caught up with the profs, it was about time for dinner. We broke into small groups: Rhiannon, Brie and I ate with Dr. Christianson, Dr. Remley, Dr. Thompson, and Dr. Tyson, I had the wild boar and tomatoes with buffalo cheese; Dr. Tyson commented I should get the award for being willing to try the most unusual dishes! After a delicious and satisfying meal, it was time to get back to the bus. Thought I would sleep on the bus, but our driver turned into a rolling DJ. It was actually fun to watch these y1ounger students singing to songs that had first become popular when I was in my teens and 20's!
Ciao for now, Lynn
Yesterday, 05025/2009 was a "touristy" day, we all piled into the bus at 9:30am to go to Siena! (We didn't get back home until 11:30pm, and by then, I was exhausted-but exhilerated-hence the blog coming "the morning after").
Siena is a magnificent city, and can easily be compared to two major US cities: San Francisco (physically) and New Your (Siena is the "Wall Street City" of Italy-the center of banking and commerce). I found it fascinating that the ""old" period was "before the bubonic plague" and the "new" period "after the bubonic plague (the 1400's)!
We got there at lunchtime, so food was the first order of the day. After lunch, we took a two-hour walking tour of Siena and had a tour guide-Roberta- who was a beautiful bundle of energy. She took us into the Basilica of St. Catherine, where we saw the St's relics; her head (skull) and finger. The bones had been wrapped in plaster, and the skull looked more like a mask than skull, while the finger actually looked like a fleshy finger. Of course, to preserve the relics, they are behind protective glass; and no pics allowed in the basilica.
We also went into the baptistry, where we were allowed to take pics. We saw the library of the Piccolomini- I took a "surround"-style video of the frescoes and books, can only hope I did it justice. Also learned the origin of the word "grafitti" - to etch in marble! (A far cry from the meaning today).
Along the tour, we learned the colors of Siena are black and white; the color of the bank is azuri (light blue- hence the Italian teams' penchant for wearing light blue uniforms... the Bank of Siena financees all of Italy and Italian expressions! We also learned Siena is the birthplace of the color "burnt sienna" - it is the color of burned Siennese clay.
After our tour, we reonvened at the Camp, the site of the biennial Siennese horse races. Not like the US triple crown, but, maybe more like a blend of NASCAR and the Iron Bowl. There are 17 communities (owl, dragon, caterpillar, etc), and each community draws a horse in a lottery (the horses come from the north, and are not raised in Siena). The communities then go to Saldena, where the people are physically smaller and lighter, and hire a professional jockey. The campo is too small for 17 horses to run; so another lottery is held in which 10 horses run (three horses run in both races). (Multiple "teams" is comparable to NASCAR.) One difference between horse races in Siena and US; in Siena, it's only important for the horse to cross the finish line! Roberta told us about a race in which the jockey fell off, but the horse kept running, and the riderless horse won the race! There is no "purse" per se, so why is this such a major event? BRAGGING RIGHTS! The towns whose horses win get to strut for a year...until the next race. In that sense, it is definitely like the Iron Bowl!
We had two free hours after the tour, and I hit a couple of shops I had seen. I collect cookbooks, especially from places I;ve been, and got two: Tuscany Cooking and Italian Pasta. I have truly enjoyed the food here, and want to see if I can replicate it back home. I also got some other little souvenirs. I had also been wanting to ship some wine back home, and had a wonderful experience getting some help from a "mom & pop" style wine shop. They had no customers, and when I went in, the man said he spoke English, and helped me pick out some wine and ship it back home! The Italians are so generous... they accomodate us with language, and are (for the most part) friendly!
Caught up with the profs, it was about time for dinner. We broke into small groups: Rhiannon, Brie and I ate with Dr. Christianson, Dr. Remley, Dr. Thompson, and Dr. Tyson, I had the wild boar and tomatoes with buffalo cheese; Dr. Tyson commented I should get the award for being willing to try the most unusual dishes! After a delicious and satisfying meal, it was time to get back to the bus. Thought I would sleep on the bus, but our driver turned into a rolling DJ. It was actually fun to watch these y1ounger students singing to songs that had first become popular when I was in my teens and 20's!
Ciao for now, Lynn
Sunday, May 24, 2009
05/24/2009
First presentation: Judith Siegel spoke on the Italian school system. Comparing it to the states is comparing apples to oranges, both sweet fruits, with very different flavors and textures. The Italians have some of the same problems we have in the states, but very different approaches to resolving these obstacles.
Ms. Siegel also told us a personal story, about a former student (22yo) who was trying to end a relationship with an overly possessive young man (27yo), and he ultimately murdered her and killed himself. She passed around a piece of the young woman's schoolwork, and a picture of the girl. Seeing her, she could be my daughter in 10 years. Seeing the words Padre, nelle tue mani rimetto il mio spirito ("Father, into your hands we commit her spirit"), I got choked up; I want to hold Deanna again. I know she's OK, I just miss her terribly. I also felt guilty, what was I thinking, coming to another continent, another world, for two whole weeks without my Boo? I must've had a temporary lapse of sanity! Ah, well, parenting problems are universal, it seems. We've been hearing aspects of counseling in Italy, but people are people all over. Cultures may influence how we encounter obstacles, but the obstacles we encounter are found everywhere.
Next up- Dr. Remley & Legal & Ethical Issues, then church (5pm mass). The thought of church is comforting; although I'm not Catholic, I believe, and there is a sense of unity (even with back home/familia) worshipping in the catholic (universal) church.
Dr. Remley gave a VERY brief overview of Legal/Ethical Issues; he is a former attorney, and was able to give the presentation through a much more legalistic view. I enjoyed his presentation and have decided when I get home to get his textbook on the subject...
RECONNECT:
Today is Ascension Sunday: Il Festival di Ascencione del Signore, and we ascended to pray! We went to church- a 15 minute bus ride UP to Vallambrosa. Dr. Krieg was telling us the distance, it felt like we were climbing to the top of the earth, to connect with God. And, since AL is 7 hours behind Italy, I know my family is at church at the same time I am. The church was magnificent, a mountaintop spiritual retreat. The service was familiar, the lectionary was easy to follow (the Presbyterian Church follows basically the same order of service as the Catholic cChurch). I only missed the music... there was no singing, except for the Alleluia! After the service, I felt reconnected to my family back home, and my brief bout of homesickness and guilt abated...
Ciao for now, Lynn
First presentation: Judith Siegel spoke on the Italian school system. Comparing it to the states is comparing apples to oranges, both sweet fruits, with very different flavors and textures. The Italians have some of the same problems we have in the states, but very different approaches to resolving these obstacles.
Ms. Siegel also told us a personal story, about a former student (22yo) who was trying to end a relationship with an overly possessive young man (27yo), and he ultimately murdered her and killed himself. She passed around a piece of the young woman's schoolwork, and a picture of the girl. Seeing her, she could be my daughter in 10 years. Seeing the words Padre, nelle tue mani rimetto il mio spirito ("Father, into your hands we commit her spirit"), I got choked up; I want to hold Deanna again. I know she's OK, I just miss her terribly. I also felt guilty, what was I thinking, coming to another continent, another world, for two whole weeks without my Boo? I must've had a temporary lapse of sanity! Ah, well, parenting problems are universal, it seems. We've been hearing aspects of counseling in Italy, but people are people all over. Cultures may influence how we encounter obstacles, but the obstacles we encounter are found everywhere.
Next up- Dr. Remley & Legal & Ethical Issues, then church (5pm mass). The thought of church is comforting; although I'm not Catholic, I believe, and there is a sense of unity (even with back home/familia) worshipping in the catholic (universal) church.
Dr. Remley gave a VERY brief overview of Legal/Ethical Issues; he is a former attorney, and was able to give the presentation through a much more legalistic view. I enjoyed his presentation and have decided when I get home to get his textbook on the subject...
RECONNECT:
Today is Ascension Sunday: Il Festival di Ascencione del Signore, and we ascended to pray! We went to church- a 15 minute bus ride UP to Vallambrosa. Dr. Krieg was telling us the distance, it felt like we were climbing to the top of the earth, to connect with God. And, since AL is 7 hours behind Italy, I know my family is at church at the same time I am. The church was magnificent, a mountaintop spiritual retreat. The service was familiar, the lectionary was easy to follow (the Presbyterian Church follows basically the same order of service as the Catholic cChurch). I only missed the music... there was no singing, except for the Alleluia! After the service, I felt reconnected to my family back home, and my brief bout of homesickness and guilt abated...
Ciao for now, Lynn
Saturday, May 23, 2009
05/24/2009am
REFLECCIONE
I've been in Italy now a week, a thousand forevers, it seems;
So far, I've met countless people, and for most, I don't know names;
Like the cabbies in Firenze, or La Bella Dona on the train.
Then there's the handful I'm daily with: profs, fellow students from 'cross the pond;
Teaching, learning; absorbing; we students, tabla rossa, to be written upon.
Italy is a tapestry, a weaving of then and now;
Where old age is venerated, but youth embraced, too.
Although this place now feels like home, I know I cann0t stay;
So in one brief, timeless week, I must go away.
But Iwill bring this country home, with her customs, people, places;
Although I don't know all their names, in my heart, I'll keep their faces.
REFLECCIONE
I've been in Italy now a week, a thousand forevers, it seems;
So far, I've met countless people, and for most, I don't know names;
Like the cabbies in Firenze, or La Bella Dona on the train.
Then there's the handful I'm daily with: profs, fellow students from 'cross the pond;
Teaching, learning; absorbing; we students, tabla rossa, to be written upon.
Italy is a tapestry, a weaving of then and now;
Where old age is venerated, but youth embraced, too.
Although this place now feels like home, I know I cann0t stay;
So in one brief, timeless week, I must go away.
But Iwill bring this country home, with her customs, people, places;
Although I don't know all their names, in my heart, I'll keep their faces.
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