After the first month in Siena, I finally feel comfortable in my host family’s home and as a resident of Siena. I love this city and I am constantly in awe that this is happening, yet recently I’ve been more able to focus in on the details about life here, especially the people here. One of the first things I noticed about being here was that people stare. They stare at you as you’re walking, sitting, talking, anything–and that’s ok. At first I awkwardly smiled back, but quickly abandoned that method. Now I am a master starer and can stare right back at any Italian, no problem. An extension of that is my people watching skills have intensified drastically, because I am no longer trying to be subtle about it. I’m so glad I’ve been watching people in the piazza, in restaurants, everywhere, because some of my favorite little moments have been ones observed here and there: a child bundled so thoroughly as to resembled a marshmallow frolicking through the piazza, old men greeting each other with love and rapid italian, young lovers laughing together, a man feeding the pigeons and letting them flock onto him, a young man smoking a cigarette and petting his mini bulldog… The little moments are endless, and some even more fleeting. But by far my favorite experience with people so far has been during my first service experience. I went to Il Laboratorio, which is a center for disabled adults to go and do activities. (Link to the Laboratorio website in case anyone is interested in their program! http://www.laboratoriobbt.it/) Everyone there, both staff and participants alike, were so open, loving, and friendly. I was greeted enthusiastically and welcomed into their center by everyone, and since it was my first day there I mainly observed. The most overwhelming memory was one of love for each other, and lots of physical affection. Caretakers would hug the adults with disabilities, kiss them, hold their hands, guide them, etc, all of which would be much less common in the states for silly legal reasons. I loved the amount of affection there and I think it was incredibly helpful for everyone involved, a common ground, common language. Everyone understands a hug, even when they don’t speak the same language, or can’t speak at all, like several of the people there. Watching the interactions there confirmed one of my favorite things about Italy so far: a certain genuineness throughout the people I’ve encountered. They’re blunt, they stare, but they love in the most honest way.
For more information on Lewis & Clark Overseas & Off-Campus Programs, visit our website.