May 24
Wow! Arezzo is absolutely gorgeous! Also being at OU's campus here has made me feel so at home! The Monastery is so amazing and the city itself is so different then Florence and Rome! As we walked around today, I felt just so happy to be here!
Some things I've observed about Italian culture is how authentic everyone is here! From the staff to the people on the street, everyone is so genuine! I love the pace of life here! One thing I've noticed is how most everyone here is always dressed nicely. In Oklahoma, sweats and a t-shirt is a daily outfit; however, when we passed by the high school- even the teenagers were dressed very nicely! People always look put together and ready to face whatever life hits them! Also walking is very common here, and the cars are very small and eco-friendly. Because walking is a main way of transportation, I noticed that many of the Italians we see are fit.
One of my favorite parts of Italy is the sense of community and family. Observing meals, people take time to talk to the people they are with and enjoy the moment. When you walk down the streets, you see people chatting with their neighbors and friends.
These past 9 days have made me appreciate Italian culture so much! I'm going to be sad to leave here in a couple days!
