With a cappuccino in one hand and a chocolate cannoli in the other, I chat with fellow students while we watch the morning sun light up the Apennine Mountains. I think we can all agree this is not the worst way to start a school day! I am spending my summer in Spoleto, Italy where the view is breathtaking from any part of the city and locals are not only inviting but also patient with tourists. I have eaten copious amounts of gelato and pizza – probably enough to feed the entire village – all of which were mouth-watering every time. Not only have I learned so much about this city through my professors and tour guide but watching and interacting with the Italian residents is a study of its own. A group of us, containing myself and a few other students, are determined to become regulars at one of the cafés in Piazza di Mercato (a town square in the middle of Spoleto). The employees seem to genuinely enjoy our visits, and I genuinely enjoy their food. However, I found out just the other day that I have been saying “thank you” completely wrong! I have been pronouncing it “grazi”, but a gentleman named Matteo working at the café politely corrected me. “For future reference…” he said, “its pronounced grah-tsee-eh, spelled g-r-a-z-i-e. We Italians pronounce every letter.” I am happy to not have offended him, as I continually learn more about the Italian culture every day. History is also a major part of their culture. Our group was able to tour Spoleto, seeing all its ancient architecture. Did you know many buildings in Italy dates all the way back to the 12th century? Duomo di Spoleto (Spoleto’s Catholic church) holds amazing representation of both Medieval and Romanesque styles, both inside and out. This information left my mouth wide open and my brain yearning to learn more. Knowing that Charleston is Spoleto’s “sister city” allows for a visible connection between the architectural and artistic styles. On the topic of Charleston, I do miss home just a little, but I believe sitting by a giant infinity pool at the end of the day and looking over the top of my computer at the sun setting on the opposite side of the valley is something I could get used to. I will undoubtedly be back in Spoleto, Italy again. Ciao!
