I was not feeling my best this morning, but thankfully we
had a huge gap of non-class time. We spent the first two hours going over our
ledes* with our mentors, then I was able to go back to the dorm and squeeze in
a half and hour nap before lunch. I like how in Urbino the shops sometimes
close in the middle of the day. I think Americans should take the hint and create
a law that designates a national all-shops-close-at-this-time-in-the-afternoon day so I can take a naptime and not have to worry about work.
I’m writing this outside on a park bench. Right now there is
a couple yelling at each other in Italian. Stereotype that Italians have hot
tempers…check.
Funny thing happened today: I was walking back to the dorms
after class got out. It's about a 20 minute walk and depending on the route you take, there may be massive hills. I was by myself because I had to stay after and follow a
lede. I decided to go a way that cuts through a beautiful neighborhood where flowers hang from all the porches and where the residents had spotless homes.
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| Amazing view of the Palazzo Ducale and Urbino |
About halfway there, I saw a white gravel lot with a
stunning view of the Palazzo Ducale. I had to take a few pictures because 1. I
am doing my article on the topics and 2. Didn’t I say it was stunning? As I was
taking my camera out of my bag I noticed a car had pulled up to the side of the
road and stopped. I knew there was a young woman reading a book feet away and I
had been walking behind an older woman so I mentally prepared myself if I had
to run or scream for help. The car eventually turned around so I thought it had
just been lost.
I continued my trek, this time down a little white gravel
path. The path ended up going back to the main road so I kept walking. Then the
car that had stopped earlier stopped in front of me again. Yea I am definitely going
to get dragged off, this is when I need to call Liam Neeson to save my helpless
American butt. I walked on the other side of the street** and ignored the man
in the car. He sped up in front of me and started saying “bella."
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| Close up of the construction that's happening to the towers at the Palazzo Ducale |
Phew, I’m glad I got hit on by a guy rather than captured,
drugged, and sold. But this incident made me think of how entertaining and
honestly very immature courting can be. Of course every girl loves to be called
bella, but at the same time, what are you supposed to do? Chase him down and
give him your number?*** Yell something at him because even though you are the
most beautiful person that has ever walked this Earth that your brain should be
the thing that impresses him the most? Throw your fist in the air because
complements are always the best?
I do give them mad props especially when you compare Italians to
American standards. Some guys are too shy or nervous to make a move, but these Italian
men just tell you how they feel. Of course it’s awkward and a catcall, but it’s
upfront. I feel that in America you have to play mouse and cat (the girl and
guy switch roles of the animals) too keep interest. I love this and flirting,
and I would never change this way of courtship, but it is refreshing to just
hear you are beautiful by a complete stranger.
I keep telling my single friends that they have the life because
when they get hit on by a gorgeous Italian man they can keep him and take him back to America.
*Common journalism error: ledes = leads
**Rule #3 in safety 101: Don’t walk next to a creepy man in
a car (it’s right after Rule #1: Don’t take candy from a stranger and Rule #2: Avoid big white
vans with supposed puppies inside.
***He was veryyyyy good-looking. Dark hair and chiseled. I
kept telling myself I have a boyfriend (No worries KG I love you and will never
leave you for an Italian man.)
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