textures and shades

a mix of obligation and curiosity led me to reggio emilia this past weekend.  turns out, i have some family in a town only two hours away.  people in mia famiglia are laid back.. or they are completely not.  these kinsfolk belonged to the latter category.  i am so thankful there was a big hearted eleven year old boy among them.  as soon as i stepped into the car with all my unease in tow, he turned his chubby cheeks towards me, parted his lips to ask, "didi, gum?"as he thrust a pack of daygum towards me without any sort of visible reservations.  it was refreshing to encounter one of those rare brilliantly open and trusting human beings, contained in a less than five foot frame.  little did he know that with that gesture, he offered me not just minty fresh breath but a venue to ease the tension.  among his interests were: tekken, drawing and 50 cent; we got along great.  the marriage of italian and punjabi created the most fun love child of a language (italijabi?  punjtalian??).  random, but i also think i saw the olympic torch while i was there, unless it was some other flame traveling with an entourage.

well, good or bad (or just awkward) everything is a learning experience in one way or another.  visiting a more average town, i got away from the posh italians that surround me and saw the REAL ones.  when i stepped foot into their local mall, i entered upon a collection of familiar stores and disenchantments for i could just have easily been in america.  i know i've complained about my lack of a decent shower, heat, dryer, siesta (all stores close 1-3 pm everyday), carrying groceries great lengths, mosquitoes etc etc - but i've become grateful for every last bit of it here in firenze.  if life abroad was exactly as i was used to, what would be the point?  culture shock is awesome, it triggers so many thoughts.  it forces me to ask myself the questions through which i reach a greater understanding of myself, even if i only make attempts at answers.  i've made conclusions about stuff i hadn't even really considered before.  i'd like to clarify the ambiguity of this "stuff" for you, but i lack those kind of articulation powers.

study abroad is good.