Smooth chocolate gelato kisses my lips while the night’s chilled wind whips through my hair. My stroll bounces carefree down the cobblestone streets narrowly lined with tall palaces turned apartments. The sweet singing sounds of a street performer’s violin whistles in my ears making the evening dream-like. I stare upward and my neck strains from attempting to keep Brunelleschi’s masterpiece, the Duomo, in sight. Practically falling backwards from awe, the brilliant massive dome gapes my mouth open and brings misty tears to my eyes. I take a deep breath, close my eyes and concentrate on the moment. A moment and the epitome of an amazing journey, I will never forget.
I captured this moment more than a month ago in Florence, Italy during my January Interterm. Still after one month, I am experiencing serious gelato withdrawals, cravings for “real” Italian food, boredom with California architecture, and intense daydreams of my time under the Tuscan sun. Two weeks in Italy stole my heart and changed my way of thinking. Despite my joy to return home and to my loved ones, I constantly find myself comparing the beauty overseas to the normalcy of home. After seeing the Coliseum, a 2,000 year old super structure, the oldest building I know in the Inland Valley could have just broken ground yesterday.
While walking the streets of Rome, historical monuments and artistic genius appeared around every corner. The grandness and majesty of every church, especially the incredible St. Peter’s Basilica, never failed to steal my breath and make time stand still.
Trips to a foreign country do not just leave travelers with memories of sights and tastes. The experiences become imbedded in their hearts and personalities. Although it may not seem like it on the outside, I have changed, probably in ways I can only see. Two months ago, my mind was consumed with thoughts of doubt and nervousness of traveling on my own. I feared being alone and the state of my self-esteem.
Looking back, my worries seem absurd. I returned to the United States with a new view of myself. I was surprised at my own confidence and character strength. Making friends and introducing myself has never been a strong point in my personality. I usually avoid the experience at all costs or constantly search for an escape route without being terribly rude. Signing up for this trip was a big challenge for me. Terrified, I swallowed my personality flaw and made the greatest choice of my college life. Not only did I have an amazing travel experience, I made cherished memories with once perfect strangers who I will never forget.
This is just a small glimpse into the novel I could write about my Italian experience. I have already talked the ears off my friends and family – they practically can tell the stories themselves. From missing trains to Pompeii, to climbing more than 700 steps to the top of domes, to exploring foggy Venice, to riding buses illegally, the stories I could tell would fill this newspaper to the brim. I know these specific memories will eventually fade, but the experiences and lessons will stay forever. I can imagine the value of my trip will grow stronger with every passing year. And as much as I look forward to returning, nothing will match the first time I fell in love with Italy.
Nicole Knight, a junior journalism major, is managing editor of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at nknight@ulv.edu.
