PAGE 8 1 THE MEREDITH HERALD [ SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
OPINION
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AN AMERICAN IN... SANSEPOLCRO?
Chelsea Slith
Contributing Writer
I'm here! Or there, depending on
which country and time zone you're in.
1 still can't believe the trip is real. The
houses are the different colors of sun
shine at different times of the day, the
roofs are weathered terracotta, and the
fields are green and golden brown. The
colors are less vibrant here—
more delicate, dustier, like the rich tints
of a fresco veiled by time. Every country
house seems to have a vineyard and a
silver-green olive grove on the back hill.
I like the city, although it's difficult to re
treat from the crowded streets and find •
peace: everyone's windows are open
because of the heat, and I can hear a
baby being consoled by his mother, kids
shouting in the streets, the music from
the next palazzo over, cars and Vespas,
and lots of other unidentifiable sounds.
It's poetic now, but it might not be when
I'm trying to get homework done.
I've read that the Italians prefer beauty
to utility. Judging from the fields and fields
of jubilant yellow sunflowers. I'd have to
agree. They may be a productive crop,
but the view must be one of the main
incentives for planting these sun-turners
(or followers), as these flowers are called
here. Unfortunately, we’re a bit too late to
see the fields in their full beauty. Some of
Wiem are still gorgeous, but most of the
Pftoto Courtesyhttp:/Avww.meredith.edu/abroai/ilaly/defyult.htm
placits have drooping brown heads, heavy
with nutty seeds.
The bits of culture I have brought along
feel odd here. I was expecting to cling to my
e e cummings and Copeland’s Appalachian
Springas.remindersofhome, butthese
American icons aren’t as meaningful in Italy.
The optimism, big skies and open spaces I
heard in the music and poetry last week are
hard to find. When 1 open my eyes, I see
narrow cobblestone streets, faded stucco,
and bicycles. Even so, American music
is everywhere. I get more irritated each
time I hear English lyrics and pop tunes I
recognize, especially the Michael Jackson
tributes in book and music stores. Most of
the movies and TV shows playing every
where are originally in English and have
Italian voiceovers. No wonder people
dislike American pop culture, since it
seems to dominate European perspec
tives in all the worst ways. Why can't we
seerr( to export any of our best art and^
music as well?
- All the portions are smaller here: I
expected more moderate portions of
food, but this moderation seems to
apply to much more. I hope American
consumption of toothpaste isn’t another
example of our consumerism. The whole
'buy in bulk" Sam's Club mentality is not
apparent in the stores. Coming from' a
large family, I'm used to giant shampoo
bottles, jumbo cereal boxes, and big
toothpaste tubes. But with the birthrate
as low as it is here in Italy, perhaps there
aren't many families with more than two
or three children; (Apparently the aver
age number of kids in a family is 1.2)'
We started classes this morning. Our
Italian teacher is excellent; we spent most
of our time.
talking, and I had to scramble to get my
notes in—quite a relief after staring at the
ceiling during Spanish. I’m sure the smaller
class size helps. Our Italian culture course
sounds like a lot of fun, involving a lot of
interaction with Ihe community. It's almost
time for the literature/history class now, so
I'll sign off. Ciao.
Do you like to complain?
Starting next week, the Herald will start
its new complaint column. We will be
accepting 2-3 sentence complaints from
students—complaints about absolutely
anything that has to do with campus life.
Make sure to use appropriate language,
and do not specifically identify individuals.
For example, instead of saying "Will the
annoying girl in 323 Faircloth PLEASE
shut up?" say "Will the annoying girl down
the hall PLEASE shut up" Feel free to
complain about ANYTHING or ANYONE
that is bothering you: just remember to be
subtle and not to use vulgar language.
GOT AN INTERESTING TITLE FOR THE
NEW COMPLAINT COLUMN?
Email your suggestions to herald@mere-
dith.edu and the student with the BEST title
will win a GIFT CARD TO APPLEBEES.
For now, email all complaints 1o herald@
meredith.edu by Thursday at 5 pm the week
before publication.
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