When in Rome
Written by Elizabeth June 2, 2015
Colosseum
Pantheon
Tritone Fountain
Mt. Grappa
Pasta making
Ciao!
Whether you are in Italy, another country, or even at home, “when in Rome” can be a good philosophy to live by. Experience the world around you. Live it, love it, and try it. Embrace your old routine of actions, but don’t be afraid to try something new. “When in Rome” pushes you to experience something around you that you might otherwise not if you weren’t “in Rome”.
This second week in Paderno del Grappa, I have tried to embrace Italy and all that it has to offer. Visiting Rome this past weekend, I learned a lot more and saw such beauty in the Pantheon, St. Peter’s Basilica, Colosseum, Vatican, Roman Forum, and much more. Exploring the city, meeting new people, and trying new foods helped me see, feel, and experience Italy. Even during the week I was able to explore more through events that CIMBA organized. I learned about pasta making, overlooked the view on Mt. Grappa, and visited Asolo and Venice on class trips. Using the “when in Rome” state of mind, I learned and experienced a lot about what it takes to do something and really live. The repeated theme seemed to be that anything worth doing requires hard work.
In learning about pasta making, a small group of students visited a restaurant where the owner made ravioli and pasta before us, told us about the process, and then we were able to eat it. The owner told us that he had been there ever since he was a little boy when his mother had owned it. He spoke of his tools and the time it took to make the pasta. Machines are faster but they don’t provide the divots like his roller. Those divots helped hold more of the flavor. You could see the passion he held in his work in his eyes. He was more than just a chef. He provided more than just food, he gave an experience of eating. He wanted people to take the time to thoroughly enjoy the food and talk to others. His job was worth doing for people to taste and enjoy homemade pasta and have such a wonderful moment, however small. It required more work, but it was worth it.
Another great example of such artistry and living is the Pantheon. A beautiful building with an oculus in the dome without any reinforcements. The Pantheon was more than just a building. Pantheon means “temple of all the gods” and while it was for the Roman gods, it was more than just that. It was a masterpiece and was built to be appreciated and offer more than just shelter. It took many years to build such a work of art, but hard work really does pay off. The Romans lived and built such magnificent structures. They showed that life is meant to be lived fully and completely, not just survived.
Looking out from the summit of Mt. Grappa also proved something more than just a wonderful view. While some might see the immense mass of the world and each person’s insignificant part, I saw the small intricate parts working together for something bigger than themselves. Like in the creation of the Pantheon and pasta, something more was created than just a building or a meal. An experience, a moment, a memory, ever so fragile became a part of something more. A part of a piece in a puzzle, others were affected in awe and appreciation of the masterpiece. Hard work is required but the benefits are endless.
Create your own masterpiece. Live life to the fullest and work out of passion and desire. It’s more than just finding a job that you love, it’s about affecting others and others affecting you. Become an integral piece in the puzzle and let others help shape you. I yearn to find such a love in my work and to be affected by the new culture surrounding me. It will take time to fully understand and embrace it but I am willing to work hard to learn more.
Embracing life,
Elizabeth
Blogger: Elizabeth, University of Iowa
