A lot has happened since my latest blog entry and I know those of you reading were dying to see what I was going to say next! Am I right? Keep in mind that I am leaving out a whole lot of activities that we have done on this program. I simply cannot list all of them, as reading extensive pages of my marvelous adventures and experiences would make you extremely jealous of my time abroad. Thus, I am picking out my favorites.
In beautiful Montalcino, we decided to gather a group of people from the program and explore the region in an entirely different fashion. We decided to get the full Tuscany experience by booking an excursion of our own by traveling to different wineries in Tuscany. We also wanted to sample the variety of wines each little town had to offer. The tour took us from Montalcino to Montepulciano, a small medieval and renaissance hill town on the outskirts of Siena. We met families that have been producing complex and opulent wine for more than seven generations. With love and precision, these families meticulously handcraft bottles of brunello (red wine) ensuring that one is left with a cathartic feeling of comfort. As for me, whether it was the wine or the experience itself, I realized that the world has an abundance of beauty and that with life’s adversities; everything will be all right.
By far, the best part about Italy was visiting the region of Cinque Terre on the coast of the Mediterranean. Just a three-hour train ride from Siena, this region gives one the opportunity to hike throughout the five villages at this renowned national park (It surprised me to that this was a national park). We hiked through the town of Riomaggiore to the village of Vernazza. The hike is right on the cliffs providing you with a mesmerizing panoramic view throughout the entire journey into the other town. Once we arrived, it quickly turned into a nineteen year olds playground, as I was able to swim and cliff jump into the Mediterranean! I kept jumping into the clear blue waters for two hours straight until the salt completely drained all the water from my body. Completely worth it, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The best was convincing those who are absolutely terrified of heights, and hate adrenaline to jump from the barnacle infested cliffs with me. To see them conquer their fears, and live with no regret was the most rewarding part of being in Cinque Terre, and in Italy. I will never forget that experience of changing someone’s unyielding desire to not break free from their comfort zone and conquer their fear. It was beautiful.
Being in Italy and especially, Cinque Terre were places full of happiness and abstract beauty. I found it hard for myself to get irritable over the little things that would ordinarily drive me up the walls if I were to be in the states and I didn’t take this for granted. I embraced it with open arms and will always cherish that this beautiful country could provide this sensation for me. It made me think of one of my movie quotes from American beauty; “It’s hard to stay mad when there’s so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once and it’s too much. My heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst, and then I remember to relax and stop trying to hold on to it and it flows through me like rain and I can feel nothing but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid, little life. You have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m sure, but don’t worry. You will someday.” You will know what I mean once you are in Italy, and you find yourself being the happiest you have ever been. You truly learn how to sit back and truly relax while living here.
Until Next Time,
Riley Roderick