The honeymoon stage is equitable to eating at the Cheesecake Factory BEFORE they started posting the calories: blind bliss. My first week in Italy has been composed of liters of fine (and incredibly cheap) wine, stunning vineyards, taking in the sights of my new medieval home, and finally understanding why they call it “the good life” here under the Tuscan sun.
Although the winding cobblestone streets are foreign to me, I can’t help but feel as if they are familiar. It’s like Disneyland and Diagon Alley merged. Every building is made of aged stone piled to precarious heights, and windows covered by wooden shutters. Not one building disrupts the theme. The city itself is a maze and Piazza del Campo—the main square—has quickly become our home base. During this first week, we’ve spent almost every night sitting in the square beneath the stars, fresh gelato in hand and zero responsibilities to weigh us down.
The honeymoon stage has also greatly expanded my understanding of the meaning of “class.” Before Italy, my definition was limited to lectures, PowerPoint, and guided discussions. However, our very first school excursion showed me that class need not be limited to such…traditional activities. For example, one school day went a little something like this:
Wake up. Throw on a sundress (this is notable because it means no pants which is great). Stop at the little corner café for a Nutella croissant. Walk—no, meander—down the streets with my roommates to the GEO center. Board a bus. Ride through the gorgeous Italian countryside feat. sprawling miles of vineyard and gentle slopes. Arrive at a stunning winery with beautiful brick buildings dating back centuries. Admire the postcard-worthy views. Tour the cellars. Head down to a beautiful outdoor restaurant by a pristine pool. Eat a four course meal accompanied by four different kinds of bottomless wine. Sit and laugh merrily. Nap on the bus ride home. Ponder the fact that this is counting for college credits. Smile a lot.
Now. Please don’t be too intimidated by this rigorous school agenda. If I can do it, you can too.
So at this point, I’ve gathered that the honeymoon stage is a very, very real phenomenon. The frustration and hostility stage might be quickly approaching, but I’m a little preoccupied eating fresh pasta and drinking 3 euro wine to worry about that now.
Peace & blessin's,
Kenzie
Although the winding cobblestone streets are foreign to me, I can’t help but feel as if they are familiar. It’s like Disneyland and Diagon Alley merged. Every building is made of aged stone piled to precarious heights, and windows covered by wooden shutters. Not one building disrupts the theme. The city itself is a maze and Piazza del Campo—the main square—has quickly become our home base. During this first week, we’ve spent almost every night sitting in the square beneath the stars, fresh gelato in hand and zero responsibilities to weigh us down.
The honeymoon stage has also greatly expanded my understanding of the meaning of “class.” Before Italy, my definition was limited to lectures, PowerPoint, and guided discussions. However, our very first school excursion showed me that class need not be limited to such…traditional activities. For example, one school day went a little something like this:
Wake up. Throw on a sundress (this is notable because it means no pants which is great). Stop at the little corner café for a Nutella croissant. Walk—no, meander—down the streets with my roommates to the GEO center. Board a bus. Ride through the gorgeous Italian countryside feat. sprawling miles of vineyard and gentle slopes. Arrive at a stunning winery with beautiful brick buildings dating back centuries. Admire the postcard-worthy views. Tour the cellars. Head down to a beautiful outdoor restaurant by a pristine pool. Eat a four course meal accompanied by four different kinds of bottomless wine. Sit and laugh merrily. Nap on the bus ride home. Ponder the fact that this is counting for college credits. Smile a lot.
Now. Please don’t be too intimidated by this rigorous school agenda. If I can do it, you can too.
So at this point, I’ve gathered that the honeymoon stage is a very, very real phenomenon. The frustration and hostility stage might be quickly approaching, but I’m a little preoccupied eating fresh pasta and drinking 3 euro wine to worry about that now.
Peace & blessin's,
Kenzie